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04/19/13Elite Meetings Alliance at Hotel del Coronado Delivered Record Appointments, Enthusiastic Teamwork and Outstanding Busin...
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01/28/13Vizergy® Builds Strategic Relationship with Elite Meetings International
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01/24/13Elite Meetings International Announces Hotel Lineup for Next Four Elite Meetings Alliances
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01/22/13SpeedRFP Surpasses $1 Billion in Meeting Requests in 2012
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12/11/12Elite Meetings International Announces Elite Star Planner Program
04/19/13
Elite Meetings Alliance at Hotel del Coronado Delivered Record Appointments, Enthusiastic Teamwork and Outstanding Business Results
Santa Barbara, Calif.: April 19, 2013—Elite Meetings International's (EMI's) April 2013 Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA) at the Hotel del Coronado on April 7–9, reached new heights in terms of productivity and satisfaction for attending parties. The event, which brought together 100 prescreened buyers and representatives of 63 world-class hotels, along with 15 partners, included 1,449 prescheduled appointments, plus hundreds of additional contacts made during networking events.
EMI CEO Kelly Foy said, "Throughout the event and in the days since, suppliers have remarked that this was the most effective event they've attended in the meetings industry. The direct buyers were highly qualified, the hotels represented were exceptionally high quality, and our partners ensured that all parties made the most of every moment."
The Business
The record number of one-on-one appointments between planners and hoteliers show a high rate of return for attendees. Of the 78 suppliers in attendance, more than 95% reported they'd book business as a direct result of the show, while a similar number of planners indicated an intention of booking business with those they met. "These numbers amaze me, and it's equally impressive how seamlessly these teams worked together to deliver a flawless EMA," said Foy.
Tina Hennessy of Belden Inc. was one of the planners in attendance. When asked to describe her first EMA experience, she said, "I felt your event was organized and executed with extreme perfection. I was able to make contacts, both from the hotelier's side and buyer's side. Your team truly makes every effort for everyone to make the most of their valuable time together."
The EMA also created an opportunity to assemble 21 members of the Elite Meetings Advisory Board. Topics of discussion included the rapid growth of the industry-leading RFP solution, SpeedRFP (averaging 106 new buyers a day), and the upcoming SpeedRFP Network, a new distribution channel for SpeedRFP users, set to launch in Q2 of 2013.
The Education
Education sessions eligible for 6 hours of CMP credit, covered topics ranging from special food & beverage needs, to social and mobile technology, to soul-stirring event design. EMI Vice President, Sales & Marketing John Washko led a panel discussion on the topic of lead spam. A poll taken at the start of the session, attended by approximately 160 meeting planners and hoteliers, indicated that 60% of meeting planners were unaware of the issue prior to the session, a statistic that underscored the importance of the subject. Another highlight: the lunchtime keynote address on leadership from F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot Carey Lohrenz, presented by Speak Inc., who connected the dots between the safe dispatch and return of planes on an aircraft carrier and the teamwork necessary to execute an event. To watch the educational sessions, click here.
The Experience
Great partners played a huge role in the event's success, beginning with the Hotel del Coronado. Guests universally lauded the hotel's food and beverage presentations, with group dining menus that resulted in culinary masterpieces orchestrated by Executive Chef John Shelton and his team. Behind the scenes, Clean the World collected soap during the event to recycle for communities in need. Themed and CSR events, sponsored by Access Destination Services, Allied PRA, Destination Concepts Inc., and Platinum Pro Inc., showcased the beachfront setting and military heritage of San Diego. The pre-event Planner Reception (Platinum Pro) dazzled guests from the start with breathtaking decor and a fireworks show. The opening night's Stars, Stripes & Strategy competition (Access), which built care packages for military families, culminated in a spectacular entrance by four Navy Seals, who skydived into the evening's beach party. The EMA gave a nod to The Del's celebrated movie history with a "Some Like it Hot!" theme party (Destination Concepts) and After Party (Platinum Pro) on Monday night. On Tuesday afternoon, participants toured MCAS Miramar (Allied PRA), where they visited the flight line and assembled wheelchairs for disabled veterans and teddy bears for the children of deployed military personnel. To see images from the event, click here.
The Future
Two more EMAs will be held in 2013. The next takes place August 18-20 at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The final EMA of 2013 will take place November 10-12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples in Naples, Florida. To learn more, visit www.EliteMeetingsAlliance.com.
About the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA)
The EMA is a three-day, invitation-only event that brings together prequalified corporate and association planners with leaders in the luxury hotel industry to cultivate relationships and build business. It centers on private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities. For more information, or to register for future events, visit www.EliteMeetingsAlliance.com.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides integrated solutions to enhance the performance of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs, and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a comprehensive and commission-free tool for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale properties. EMI's software products include SpeedRFP™ Universal RFP System for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online (www.SpeedRFP.com), and FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler which helps conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments, and make direct connections with one another (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com). For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000
For more information on the EMA, email EMATeam@EliteMeetings.com, or call (805) 879-4485.
EMI CEO Kelly Foy said, "Throughout the event and in the days since, suppliers have remarked that this was the most effective event they've attended in the meetings industry. The direct buyers were highly qualified, the hotels represented were exceptionally high quality, and our partners ensured that all parties made the most of every moment."
The Business
The record number of one-on-one appointments between planners and hoteliers show a high rate of return for attendees. Of the 78 suppliers in attendance, more than 95% reported they'd book business as a direct result of the show, while a similar number of planners indicated an intention of booking business with those they met. "These numbers amaze me, and it's equally impressive how seamlessly these teams worked together to deliver a flawless EMA," said Foy.
Tina Hennessy of Belden Inc. was one of the planners in attendance. When asked to describe her first EMA experience, she said, "I felt your event was organized and executed with extreme perfection. I was able to make contacts, both from the hotelier's side and buyer's side. Your team truly makes every effort for everyone to make the most of their valuable time together."
The EMA also created an opportunity to assemble 21 members of the Elite Meetings Advisory Board. Topics of discussion included the rapid growth of the industry-leading RFP solution, SpeedRFP (averaging 106 new buyers a day), and the upcoming SpeedRFP Network, a new distribution channel for SpeedRFP users, set to launch in Q2 of 2013.
The Education
Education sessions eligible for 6 hours of CMP credit, covered topics ranging from special food & beverage needs, to social and mobile technology, to soul-stirring event design. EMI Vice President, Sales & Marketing John Washko led a panel discussion on the topic of lead spam. A poll taken at the start of the session, attended by approximately 160 meeting planners and hoteliers, indicated that 60% of meeting planners were unaware of the issue prior to the session, a statistic that underscored the importance of the subject. Another highlight: the lunchtime keynote address on leadership from F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot Carey Lohrenz, presented by Speak Inc., who connected the dots between the safe dispatch and return of planes on an aircraft carrier and the teamwork necessary to execute an event. To watch the educational sessions, click here.
The Experience
Great partners played a huge role in the event's success, beginning with the Hotel del Coronado. Guests universally lauded the hotel's food and beverage presentations, with group dining menus that resulted in culinary masterpieces orchestrated by Executive Chef John Shelton and his team. Behind the scenes, Clean the World collected soap during the event to recycle for communities in need. Themed and CSR events, sponsored by Access Destination Services, Allied PRA, Destination Concepts Inc., and Platinum Pro Inc., showcased the beachfront setting and military heritage of San Diego. The pre-event Planner Reception (Platinum Pro) dazzled guests from the start with breathtaking decor and a fireworks show. The opening night's Stars, Stripes & Strategy competition (Access), which built care packages for military families, culminated in a spectacular entrance by four Navy Seals, who skydived into the evening's beach party. The EMA gave a nod to The Del's celebrated movie history with a "Some Like it Hot!" theme party (Destination Concepts) and After Party (Platinum Pro) on Monday night. On Tuesday afternoon, participants toured MCAS Miramar (Allied PRA), where they visited the flight line and assembled wheelchairs for disabled veterans and teddy bears for the children of deployed military personnel. To see images from the event, click here.
The Future
Two more EMAs will be held in 2013. The next takes place August 18-20 at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The final EMA of 2013 will take place November 10-12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples in Naples, Florida. To learn more, visit www.EliteMeetingsAlliance.com.
About the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA)
The EMA is a three-day, invitation-only event that brings together prequalified corporate and association planners with leaders in the luxury hotel industry to cultivate relationships and build business. It centers on private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities. For more information, or to register for future events, visit www.EliteMeetingsAlliance.com.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides integrated solutions to enhance the performance of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs, and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a comprehensive and commission-free tool for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale properties. EMI's software products include SpeedRFP™ Universal RFP System for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online (www.SpeedRFP.com), and FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler which helps conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments, and make direct connections with one another (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com). For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000
For more information on the EMA, email EMATeam@EliteMeetings.com, or call (805) 879-4485.
01/28/13
Vizergy® Builds Strategic Relationship with Elite Meetings International
SpeedRFP Empowers Hoteliers to Grow and Manage Meeting & Event Business; Connects Them to Over 42,000 Group Buyers
Jacksonville, FL (January 28, 2013) — Vizergy, a leading hotel Internet marketing company, has partnered with industry leader Elite Meetings International (EMI) to offer SpeedRFP, the first universal online request for proposal (RFP) system. SpeedRFP's cloud based system gives event planning professionals the ability to transport their meeting, event, or incentive RFPs with a few clicks of the mouse. Hotels using the system will benefit from high-quality, complete leads that save response time for their sales teams. With Vizergy's support, hotels can add SpeedRFP to their sites and become immediately accessible to the 42,000+ buyer members who currently use it to source future events.
"Vizergy works with our clients to understand their needs and property goals in order to help them stay ahead of the competition. Increasing qualified leads is a very important part of strengthening their revenue mix," said Robert Arnold, Vice President of Sales at Vizergy. "SpeedRFP's universal online request for proposal was an ideal fit to help our clients reach and exceed their marketing goals in a more efficient manner. Developing these types of relationships produces the best results for our clients."
Vizergy created the partnership with EMI to help clients increase qualified sales leads from their independent websites. SpeedRFP is the ideal complement to Vizergy's proprietary Hotel Web Management Platform, and exactly what the company needed to enable clients to better focus on the valuable meeting and event segment. The efficiency the RFP provides meeting planners, and the fact that it is free to planners and commission free to hotel partners, make it an ideal fit for Vizergy's aggressive digital marketing offerings.
Kelly Foy, Chief Executive Officer of EMI, had this to say about why hoteliers should use SpeedRFP.
"We listened and responded to the meeting planner community, recognizing that before SpeedRFP, planners were using an inefficient and inconsistent eRFP process when sourcing multiple hotels, destination management organizations and venues. Each property had a different RFP form; each required clients to rekey contact and event data," he explained. "At the same time, we understood that hoteliers were being buried under an avalanche of leads from various online channels. SpeedRFP was designed to remedy both of these factors, providing a more fluid way to submit, manage and respond to eRFPs."
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides free, time-saving tools for planners and integrated marketing solutions to suppliers that enhance the connection of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a hotel rating and review portal specifically for meeting planners, and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
About Vizergy®
Vizergy is an award-winning digital travel marketing company that empowers hoteliers to know more, do more and achieve more — with the ultimate goal of delivering maximum online revenue. The company uses data driven decisions to provide strategic guidance in the evolving world of online marketing. Online marketing services include search engine optimization, pay-per-click and display advertising, local marketing, website and mobile website design and development, reservation software and advanced analytics. Since 1998, Vizergy has propelled thousands of branded and independent hotels, resorts and hotel management companies to success.
"Vizergy works with our clients to understand their needs and property goals in order to help them stay ahead of the competition. Increasing qualified leads is a very important part of strengthening their revenue mix," said Robert Arnold, Vice President of Sales at Vizergy. "SpeedRFP's universal online request for proposal was an ideal fit to help our clients reach and exceed their marketing goals in a more efficient manner. Developing these types of relationships produces the best results for our clients."
Vizergy created the partnership with EMI to help clients increase qualified sales leads from their independent websites. SpeedRFP is the ideal complement to Vizergy's proprietary Hotel Web Management Platform, and exactly what the company needed to enable clients to better focus on the valuable meeting and event segment. The efficiency the RFP provides meeting planners, and the fact that it is free to planners and commission free to hotel partners, make it an ideal fit for Vizergy's aggressive digital marketing offerings.
Kelly Foy, Chief Executive Officer of EMI, had this to say about why hoteliers should use SpeedRFP.
"We listened and responded to the meeting planner community, recognizing that before SpeedRFP, planners were using an inefficient and inconsistent eRFP process when sourcing multiple hotels, destination management organizations and venues. Each property had a different RFP form; each required clients to rekey contact and event data," he explained. "At the same time, we understood that hoteliers were being buried under an avalanche of leads from various online channels. SpeedRFP was designed to remedy both of these factors, providing a more fluid way to submit, manage and respond to eRFPs."
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides free, time-saving tools for planners and integrated marketing solutions to suppliers that enhance the connection of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a hotel rating and review portal specifically for meeting planners, and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
About Vizergy®
Vizergy is an award-winning digital travel marketing company that empowers hoteliers to know more, do more and achieve more — with the ultimate goal of delivering maximum online revenue. The company uses data driven decisions to provide strategic guidance in the evolving world of online marketing. Online marketing services include search engine optimization, pay-per-click and display advertising, local marketing, website and mobile website design and development, reservation software and advanced analytics. Since 1998, Vizergy has propelled thousands of branded and independent hotels, resorts and hotel management companies to success.
01/24/13
Elite Meetings International Announces Hotel Lineup for Next Four Elite Meetings Alliances
Hotel del Coronado; Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa; The Ritz-Carlton, Naples; and Bacara Resort & Spa selected for the next four invitation-only events
Santa Barbara, CA: January 2013 —Elite Meetings International today announced the three sites for its upcoming 2013 Elite Meetings Alliances (EMA), as well as the first host hotel for 2014. All hotels were selected from Elite's certified Platinum Collection with dates chosen for the convenience of attendees.
The upcoming Elite Meetings Alliance properties, locations and dates are:
And, in 2014:
"This is the best lineup of hotels we've ever had in a calendar year," said Elite Meetings International CEO Kelly Foy, adding, "We could not be more excited. And with Bacara Resort & Spa in the lineup, we're set to kick off 2014 in fantastic fashion as well."
Host hotels are selected based on a number of factors, but first and foremost, they must rank among the best in delivering a spectacular group experience. The event at the Hotel del Coronado corresponds with their yearlong 125th anniversary celebration. One of the most recognized icons in the industry, The Del is excited to show off its many assets for meetings. At the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, EMA attendees will experience an ideal Rocky Mountain setting paired with top-notch service. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is the top group hotel in the Ritz-Carlton brand for a reason—they know how to deliver the best meeting possible. Santa Barbara's beautiful Bacara Resort & Spa, now under new ownership, provides a sensational group experience in a luxury hotel setting that has earned a reputation as the hideaway of Hollywood stars.
"Host hotels play an integral role in each Elite Meetings Alliance," says Foy. "We specifically chose these properties because each one consistently exceeds expectations. After that," he adds, "it's up to us to deliver useful content and plenty of opportunities for planners and hoteliers to interact—through networking and team-building events, as well as in prescheduled one-on-one appointments."
Education eligible for CMP credits and fun networking opportunities round out EMA agendas that center on serious business discussions. Each invitation-only event brings together roughly 200 of the industry's top corporate buyers, hotel suppliers, sponsors and speakers. All attending hotels must be certified as Gold or Platinum by the Elite Meetings Advisory Board, and qualifications for buyers include a booking history of and future need for above-average room rates and spending for food and beverage.
Registration for the April 2013 Elite Meetings Alliance at Hotel del Coronado is now open at www.EliteMeetingsAlliance.com.
About Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA)
The EMA is a three-day, invitation-only event that brings together prequalified corporate and association planners with leaders in the luxury hotel industry to cultivate relationships and build business. It centers on private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides integrated solutions to enhance the performance of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs, and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a comprehensive and commission-free tool for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale properties. EMI's software products include SpeedRFP™ Universal RFP System for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online (www.SpeedRFP.com), and FaceTim™ Appointment Scheduler which helps conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments, and make direct connections with one another (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com). For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
For more information on the EMA, email EMATeam@EliteMeetings.com, or call 805-879-4485.
The upcoming Elite Meetings Alliance properties, locations and dates are:
- Hotel del Coronado; Coronado (San Diego), Calif.; April 7 - 9, 2013
- Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa; Beaver Creek, Colo.; August 18 - 20, 2013
- The Ritz-Carlton, Naples; Naples, Fla.; November 10 - 12, 2013
And, in 2014:
- Bacara Resort & Spa; Santa Barbara, Calif; January 26 - 28, 2014
"This is the best lineup of hotels we've ever had in a calendar year," said Elite Meetings International CEO Kelly Foy, adding, "We could not be more excited. And with Bacara Resort & Spa in the lineup, we're set to kick off 2014 in fantastic fashion as well."
Host hotels are selected based on a number of factors, but first and foremost, they must rank among the best in delivering a spectacular group experience. The event at the Hotel del Coronado corresponds with their yearlong 125th anniversary celebration. One of the most recognized icons in the industry, The Del is excited to show off its many assets for meetings. At the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, EMA attendees will experience an ideal Rocky Mountain setting paired with top-notch service. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is the top group hotel in the Ritz-Carlton brand for a reason—they know how to deliver the best meeting possible. Santa Barbara's beautiful Bacara Resort & Spa, now under new ownership, provides a sensational group experience in a luxury hotel setting that has earned a reputation as the hideaway of Hollywood stars.
"Host hotels play an integral role in each Elite Meetings Alliance," says Foy. "We specifically chose these properties because each one consistently exceeds expectations. After that," he adds, "it's up to us to deliver useful content and plenty of opportunities for planners and hoteliers to interact—through networking and team-building events, as well as in prescheduled one-on-one appointments."
Education eligible for CMP credits and fun networking opportunities round out EMA agendas that center on serious business discussions. Each invitation-only event brings together roughly 200 of the industry's top corporate buyers, hotel suppliers, sponsors and speakers. All attending hotels must be certified as Gold or Platinum by the Elite Meetings Advisory Board, and qualifications for buyers include a booking history of and future need for above-average room rates and spending for food and beverage.
Registration for the April 2013 Elite Meetings Alliance at Hotel del Coronado is now open at www.EliteMeetingsAlliance.com.
About Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA)
The EMA is a three-day, invitation-only event that brings together prequalified corporate and association planners with leaders in the luxury hotel industry to cultivate relationships and build business. It centers on private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides integrated solutions to enhance the performance of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs, and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a comprehensive and commission-free tool for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale properties. EMI's software products include SpeedRFP™ Universal RFP System for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online (www.SpeedRFP.com), and FaceTim™ Appointment Scheduler which helps conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments, and make direct connections with one another (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com). For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
For more information on the EMA, email EMATeam@EliteMeetings.com, or call 805-879-4485.
01/22/13
SpeedRFP Surpasses $1 Billion in Meeting Requests in 2012
Buyer membership grows 300% to more than 42,000
Santa Barbara, Calif.: January 22, 2013— Elite Meetings International (EMI) announced that SpeedRFP surpassed projections for 2012 in two areas: volume of unique events and buyer membership. Unique group RFPs surpassing 3 million room nights were submitted via SpeedRFP in 2012, representing more than $1.1 billion in potential revenue for hotels and resorts who accept SpeedRFPs. In terms of membership, the cloud-based eRFP system now has more than 42,000 group buyer members who have submitted one or more SpeedRFPs since its launch.
"We are extremely pleased by the level of buyer engagement in the last 12 months," says Kelly Foy, CEO of EMI, the company that developed SpeedRFP. "Of the 42,000 buyers, more than 30,000 buyers came on board in 2012—a growth rate of 300 percent over the previous year."
The product was released in 2010 with early adopters like Dolce Hotels and Resorts and Destination Hotels & Resorts. "In 2011, after affirming positive results, we took the product to market," explains Travis Hodge, director of business development for SpeedRFP. "Those early successes went on to include adoption by independent hotels, brands and DMOs alike, most recently, Atlantis, Paradise Island; The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort; Bacara Resort; Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Grand and Little America Hotels, and Visit Vail Valley." Today, SpeedRFP is present on more than 200 portals, representing more than 4,000 hotels and CVBs in 85 countries.
Hodge attributes the surging adoption rates, in part, to the system's plug-and-play approach, which makes it surprisingly easy to implement on any hotel/resort/CVB or conference center website. Once added to a website, SpeedRFP gives event planners the ability to quickly clone and repurpose their existing RFPs in as few as four clicks of the mouse. "The system was designed to save time and create efficiencies, for both sides of the industry," concludes Hodge.
About SpeedRFP™
SpeedRFP is a cutting-edge product for creating, submitting and tracking Requests For Proposals (RFPs) online. SpeedRFP recently surpassed the 42,000-user mark, and is rapidly generating RFPs for meeting planners and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. SpeedRFP is a plug-and-play RFP technology that any hotel/conference center/destination can easily add to their existing website, and its use is free for meeting professionals. For more information, please visit www.SpeedRFP.com, or call 805-879-4479.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides free, time-saving tools for planners and integrated marketing solutions to suppliers that enhance the connection of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
"We are extremely pleased by the level of buyer engagement in the last 12 months," says Kelly Foy, CEO of EMI, the company that developed SpeedRFP. "Of the 42,000 buyers, more than 30,000 buyers came on board in 2012—a growth rate of 300 percent over the previous year."
The product was released in 2010 with early adopters like Dolce Hotels and Resorts and Destination Hotels & Resorts. "In 2011, after affirming positive results, we took the product to market," explains Travis Hodge, director of business development for SpeedRFP. "Those early successes went on to include adoption by independent hotels, brands and DMOs alike, most recently, Atlantis, Paradise Island; The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort; Bacara Resort; Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Grand and Little America Hotels, and Visit Vail Valley." Today, SpeedRFP is present on more than 200 portals, representing more than 4,000 hotels and CVBs in 85 countries.
Hodge attributes the surging adoption rates, in part, to the system's plug-and-play approach, which makes it surprisingly easy to implement on any hotel/resort/CVB or conference center website. Once added to a website, SpeedRFP gives event planners the ability to quickly clone and repurpose their existing RFPs in as few as four clicks of the mouse. "The system was designed to save time and create efficiencies, for both sides of the industry," concludes Hodge.
About SpeedRFP™
SpeedRFP is a cutting-edge product for creating, submitting and tracking Requests For Proposals (RFPs) online. SpeedRFP recently surpassed the 42,000-user mark, and is rapidly generating RFPs for meeting planners and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. SpeedRFP is a plug-and-play RFP technology that any hotel/conference center/destination can easily add to their existing website, and its use is free for meeting professionals. For more information, please visit www.SpeedRFP.com, or call 805-879-4479.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides free, time-saving tools for planners and integrated marketing solutions to suppliers that enhance the connection of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
12/11/12
Elite Meetings International Announces Elite Star Planner Program
Program designed to recognize planners based on the thoroughness and quality of their electronic Request For Proposal (eRFP) data, resulting in quicker responses from hotels.
Santa Barbara, Calif.: December 11, 2012—Elite Meetings International (EMI) announced today the launch of the Elite Star Planner Program. This program recognizes planners from Elite Meetings' 38,000-strong planner community who use EMI's EliteMeetings.com and SpeedRFP as researching and sourcing tools, providing thorough information in their RFPs, referring these solutions to peers, limiting distribution to only hotels that meet their group's requirements, and most importantly, for booking business with Elite Certified hotels. The program is simple. Planners who are active members of the Elite Meetings community can qualify as a Elite Star Planner if they:
"When meeting planners know their RFPs are being graded on quality, they make the extra effort to provide complete information and limit them to the most relevant hotels," says Kelly Foy, chief executive officer of EMI. "Hotels will be able to recognize the high-quality leads, and planners will receive faster responses. Everybody wins."
Elite Meetings International will be launching the Elite Star Planner Program in January 2013. You can read more about the program here.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides free, time-saving tools for planners and integrated marketing solutions to suppliers that enhance the connection of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally,www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a hotel rating and review portal specifically for meeting planners, and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
- Use EliteMeetings.com's cloud-based form, SpeedRFP, to submit RFPs to hotels
- Build RFPs that contain complete event details
- Send RFPs only to hotels that meet the program's specific criteria
- Award business to Elite Certified hotels
- Refer other meeting professionals to EliteMeetings.com and SpeedRFP
"When meeting planners know their RFPs are being graded on quality, they make the extra effort to provide complete information and limit them to the most relevant hotels," says Kelly Foy, chief executive officer of EMI. "Hotels will be able to recognize the high-quality leads, and planners will receive faster responses. Everybody wins."
Elite Meetings International will be launching the Elite Star Planner Program in January 2013. You can read more about the program here.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides free, time-saving tools for planners and integrated marketing solutions to suppliers that enhance the connection of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally,www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a hotel rating and review portal specifically for meeting planners, and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
