020_TTGB MEETING ROOM 5/11/08 14:02 Page 20
20 meetings and events
meetingroom
news in brief
Monitoring the meetings and events sector
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De Vere Venues has launched a real-time
online booking service called Instant Meetings.
The events venue provider believes it is capital-
ising on a “gap in the market”: bosses say a
recent study revealed 80% of bookers search the
web for a venue but are unable to book online.
The company’s website (deverevenues.co.uk)
claims the new service enables bookers to search
and book venues in three minutes.
The system allows the user to browse up to
Meeting point: Silversea Silver Cloud
five venues at a time and a colour-coded
calendar displays availability. Rooms can be
Cruising to success
booked for parties of 25 delegates or less, for
meetings from Monday to Friday. Reservations
can be made from six months in advance up until
1.30pm the day before the room is required.
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Luxury cruise line Silversea will report times for full charters are about 15 months, Nickie Holland, De Vere Venues’ e-commerce
record sales figures for its meetings and events which means the company can already focus on manager, said: “Instant Meetings will make a
division by the end of the year. And bosses say 2010. “So far, the proposal and booking pace has real difference to meeting bookers. It will not
the company is already set to exceed targets for not slowed, but I suspect many firms will delay only make the booking process easier, it will
2009 in spite of the economic slowdown. making any new commitments until the give them the flexibility to browse different
Sean Mahoney, Silversea’s vice president of economic outlook improves,” added Mahoney. venues and check availability.”
worldwide charter and incentive sales, says the “Looking ahead we will employ a multi-level and Boutique hotels and venues feature, see p36
M&E sector in the cruise industry has been multi-channel sales and marketing strategy. It
growing steadily for the last five years. “It will be important to rationalise the distribution
represents 15% of our total business mix,” he channel in order to leverage the activities,
L50552
The Park Plaza County Hall hotel in central
said. “This year we will achieve record revenue partnerships and resources that are most likely London is to trial a system which could cut
– and we will exceed revenue targets for the to result in business.” carbon emissions generated in meetings by 85%.
next twelve months.” Elsewhere, privately owned Italian line The system’s developer, Synanto, says its
While the bulk of Silversea’s revenue in 2009 MSC Cruises has launched a website MeetingPod is a paperless electronic meeting
comes from its clients in North America, its (mscincentive.com) dedicated to corporate system which eliminates the need for paper-
business in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australasia meetings and events. It targets corporates, based agendas and projectors. It automatically
continues to grow. “We will be executing several meetings organisers and travel management emails relevant event information to delegates.
full-ship charter contracts in the next couple of companies. Claudia Baino, head of MSC Cruises’ The system will undergo a two-week trial
weeks for a variety of firms, including a US M&E division, said: “Despite tough economic period and, if successful, will be introduced as
insurance company and a UK-based financial times, companies continue to recognise the part of the Park Plaza meetings package.
services firm. Approximately 85% of our sales importance of communication, team building and Philip Chambers, Park Plaza County Hall’s
come from full-ship charters. They are, engaging staff. Motivational trips, annual general manager, said: “It is great for our
essentially, non cancellable and provide a solid meetings and conventions help maintain a corporate social responsibility reporting and
base of advance business, which is vital given the company’s momentum and focus, enhance staff it benefits customers by improving
current economic environment.” morale and improve communication, resulting in communication after meetings.”
Florida-based Mahoney says average lead greater overall efficiency and productivity. More information at
synanto.com
Hit the road: win a weekend’s car rental with Budget Rent-a-car – see p23
ttgbusiness.com a79 november 2008
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