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05/02/12The April 2012 Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA) Draws 175 Industry Decision Makers to the Brand-New Omni Dallas
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04/23/12Elite Meetings International (EMI) Appoints Karen Cahill Chief Operating Officer
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03/21/12EliteMeetings.com Relaunches with Bold New Look, Fresh Content, and Record Number of Meeting Planner Reviews
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02/21/12SpeedRFP 2.0 Allows Hotels to Sell Direct to Buyers, and Consolidate and Manage all Group Bookings in One Place
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02/10/12"Desert Cool" and a World of Opportunity Greet Planners and Hotels at the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA), at Rancho Las P...
05/02/12
The April 2012 Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA) Draws 175 Industry Decision Makers to the Brand-New Omni Dallas
"Elite Quality" Shines Through - in the Three-Day EMA Program, Technology Innovations, and Business Conducted among Prequalified Attendees
Dallas, May 2, 2012 — Elite Meetings International (EMI) brought together 175 prequalified decision makers from the meetings industry and top luxury hotels to do deals, network, learn, and preview Elite's latest technology innovations at the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA), April 21-24.
Taking place at the brand-new Omni Dallas Hotel, the EMA included over 1,000 prescheduled one-on-one meetings set up by Elite's FaceTime Appointment Scheduler,™ plus continuing education sessions for CMP credit, inside perspectives from leading industry speakers, and a continued focus on corporate social responsibility. "Elite Quality" was the order of the day — as attendees praised the content of the conference, the targeted new business opportunities that emerged from it, and Elite's push to provide meeting planners and hotels alike with the most efficient, high-quality system of lead generation and management in the industry.
Kelly Foy, Elite's CEO, said, "Bringing together education, business-building, and 'best in class' technology, the April 2012 EMA was a great example of Elite Meetings in action." He concluded, "We are especially proud to have welcomed a large group of new buyers to the EMA, which is a real forte for us. We consistently bring together top hoteliers with buyers they may never have met anywhere else. Of course, we could not have done it without the help of the attendees, associates, and fantastic Omni Dallas staff, who contributed to a stimulating, diverse, and productive few days."
Among other innovations, Elite formally introduced attendees to the newly enhanced EliteMeetings.com, which launched in March and includes tools for making the lead generation and management process easy and efficient. According to many hoteliers in attendance, the new tool solidifies Elite's suite of RFP management solutions as providing the best-qualified leads in the industry. The lead-qualifying systems in place have reduced lead spam to an industry low of 5.9 hotels per RFP.
In addition to the features added to the site, EliteMeetings.com introduced a "members-only" policy to ensure the highest-quality buyers and sellers in the events marketplace. Prior to launching the new EliteMeetings.com, EMI also debuted significant enhancements to its proprietary RFP tool, SpeedRFP.
Michael Garrow, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Innisbrook resort, said, "We always consider [leads generated by] Elite Meetings and SpeedRFP to be highly qualified opportunities." He concluded, "We have experienced a significantly higher ratio of definite business through this channel, as compared with the other erfp tools in the marketplace."
More information can be found at www.EliteMeetings.com, and www.SpeedRFP.com.
Speakers, Continuing Education Sessions and Corporate Responsibility
The Spring EMA's presenters and educational sessions featured Jonathan Bradshaw, Founder & CEO of The Meetology© Group, who spoke about "The Science Behind Effective Meetings;" John Pollard, Event Services Program Director of Sonic Foundry, who addressed "Ingredients for a Tasty Hybrid Event;" Betsy Bondurant, Founder & President of Bondurant Consulting, who spoke about "Strategic Meetings Management;" Midori Connolly and David Kliman, who presented on "Tech Tools for Productive Meeting Pros," and Daren Martin, the EMA's Emcee, whose session on "Biz, Buzz, Bang!" helped attendees learn to generate buzz and attention through their events.
For the second consecutive EMA, Shawn Seipler, Chief Executive Officer of Clean the World Global LLC, explained how the simple idea of recycling hotel soaps is saving thousands of lives around the world and helping to encourage "greener" and more sustainable meeting practices.
Joanne Umbarger, American Shipping Group said, "The most useful and successful networking event I've ever attended."
The next Elite Meetings Alliance is scheduled to take place at the fabulous new Revel Atlantic City hotel, resort and casino, August 26-28, 2012.
For information, 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. Featured are private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities.
This spring at the Omni Hotel Dallas, attendees enjoyed a 1,001-room oasis in the center of the revitalized downtown. The hotel boasts richly appointed guest rooms, a contemporary reflective glass exterior and innovative guest amenities. Owned by the City of Dallas, the hotel features 67 luxury suites and 3 presidential suites. Omni Dallas Hotel is built to meet the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver Certification standards, placing it on the forefront of environmental awareness and conservation in the city. The 110,000 square feet of meeting space is infused with the history and style of Dallas. Each of the 39 meeting rooms, including two ballrooms, are named after area points of interest in the city and feature the work of local artists.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, 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 commission-free RFP-generating tool 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.
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Taking place at the brand-new Omni Dallas Hotel, the EMA included over 1,000 prescheduled one-on-one meetings set up by Elite's FaceTime Appointment Scheduler,™ plus continuing education sessions for CMP credit, inside perspectives from leading industry speakers, and a continued focus on corporate social responsibility. "Elite Quality" was the order of the day — as attendees praised the content of the conference, the targeted new business opportunities that emerged from it, and Elite's push to provide meeting planners and hotels alike with the most efficient, high-quality system of lead generation and management in the industry.
Kelly Foy, Elite's CEO, said, "Bringing together education, business-building, and 'best in class' technology, the April 2012 EMA was a great example of Elite Meetings in action." He concluded, "We are especially proud to have welcomed a large group of new buyers to the EMA, which is a real forte for us. We consistently bring together top hoteliers with buyers they may never have met anywhere else. Of course, we could not have done it without the help of the attendees, associates, and fantastic Omni Dallas staff, who contributed to a stimulating, diverse, and productive few days."
Among other innovations, Elite formally introduced attendees to the newly enhanced EliteMeetings.com, which launched in March and includes tools for making the lead generation and management process easy and efficient. According to many hoteliers in attendance, the new tool solidifies Elite's suite of RFP management solutions as providing the best-qualified leads in the industry. The lead-qualifying systems in place have reduced lead spam to an industry low of 5.9 hotels per RFP.
In addition to the features added to the site, EliteMeetings.com introduced a "members-only" policy to ensure the highest-quality buyers and sellers in the events marketplace. Prior to launching the new EliteMeetings.com, EMI also debuted significant enhancements to its proprietary RFP tool, SpeedRFP.
Michael Garrow, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Innisbrook resort, said, "We always consider [leads generated by] Elite Meetings and SpeedRFP to be highly qualified opportunities." He concluded, "We have experienced a significantly higher ratio of definite business through this channel, as compared with the other erfp tools in the marketplace."
More information can be found at www.EliteMeetings.com, and www.SpeedRFP.com.
Speakers, Continuing Education Sessions and Corporate Responsibility
The Spring EMA's presenters and educational sessions featured Jonathan Bradshaw, Founder & CEO of The Meetology© Group, who spoke about "The Science Behind Effective Meetings;" John Pollard, Event Services Program Director of Sonic Foundry, who addressed "Ingredients for a Tasty Hybrid Event;" Betsy Bondurant, Founder & President of Bondurant Consulting, who spoke about "Strategic Meetings Management;" Midori Connolly and David Kliman, who presented on "Tech Tools for Productive Meeting Pros," and Daren Martin, the EMA's Emcee, whose session on "Biz, Buzz, Bang!" helped attendees learn to generate buzz and attention through their events.
For the second consecutive EMA, Shawn Seipler, Chief Executive Officer of Clean the World Global LLC, explained how the simple idea of recycling hotel soaps is saving thousands of lives around the world and helping to encourage "greener" and more sustainable meeting practices.
Joanne Umbarger, American Shipping Group said, "The most useful and successful networking event I've ever attended."
The next Elite Meetings Alliance is scheduled to take place at the fabulous new Revel Atlantic City hotel, resort and casino, August 26-28, 2012.
For information, 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. Featured are private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities.
This spring at the Omni Hotel Dallas, attendees enjoyed a 1,001-room oasis in the center of the revitalized downtown. The hotel boasts richly appointed guest rooms, a contemporary reflective glass exterior and innovative guest amenities. Owned by the City of Dallas, the hotel features 67 luxury suites and 3 presidential suites. Omni Dallas Hotel is built to meet the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver Certification standards, placing it on the forefront of environmental awareness and conservation in the city. The 110,000 square feet of meeting space is infused with the history and style of Dallas. Each of the 39 meeting rooms, including two ballrooms, are named after area points of interest in the city and feature the work of local artists.
About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, 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 commission-free RFP-generating tool 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.
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04/23/12
Elite Meetings International (EMI) Appoints Karen Cahill Chief Operating Officer
The appointment of Cahill is part of Elite's plans for significant growth this year.
Santa Barbara, CA April 23, 2012 —Elite Meetings International, Inc. (EMI), announced that it has hired Karen Cahill as Chief Operating Officer. Cahill brings to the company more than two decades of senior management experience, in retail, licensing, brand management, product development and business development. She is based in EMI's corporate headquarters in Santa Barbara.
Kelly Foy, Elite's CEO, said, "We are delighted to welcome Karen Cahill to the Elite Meetings senior management team." Foy concluded, "We ended the first quarter of 2012 in the strongest place in the company's history, with a proven business model; time-tested and widely used products that benefit planners as well as hotels; and with the new introduction of exciting product offerings and upgrades that are making an impact industry wide. We are confident that Karen will help us take the company to the next level, as we manage these innovations and build an even stronger foundation for our company's long-term success."
The appointment of Cahill is part of Elite's plans for significant growth this year and comes just a few weeks after another senior executive, John P. Washko, joined Elite as its national Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Bryce Johnson, who held the operational and financial roles for two years in addition to marketing and communications responsibilities, will now turn his focus to developing Elite's new online content strategy. Among other exciting initiatives, Elite recently rolled out an updated version of its SpeedRFP product, which includes several new features, and unveiled the newest version of EliteMeetings.com, to industry accolades.
Karen Cahill said, "I am delighted to join Elite's management team at this exciting moment in the company's growth." She concluded, "With a strong team and foundation already in place, I am looking forward to helping Kelly and the rest of the company maximize and build upon their accomplishments, while enhancing Elite's operational capacity so we continue to ensure customer and company success."
About Karen Cahill
Karen Cahill is a proven senior executive and manager, with a sound, practical management style and a track record of more than twenty years of success in team building and delivering on client expectations, while furthering organizational goals and objectives.
Prior to joining Elite, Cahill was Chief Operating Officer of Independent Means, a provider of financial education programs, tool and services. Before that, she served as President of the Flavia Company, an art licensing company that achieved more than $100 million in sales. Prior to that, she was a Senior Vice President at Primedia, one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.
Cahill has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio State University, and is active in numerous associations and community roles. She resides in Santa Barbara.
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, http://www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (http://www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (http://www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit http://www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
Kelly Foy, Elite's CEO, said, "We are delighted to welcome Karen Cahill to the Elite Meetings senior management team." Foy concluded, "We ended the first quarter of 2012 in the strongest place in the company's history, with a proven business model; time-tested and widely used products that benefit planners as well as hotels; and with the new introduction of exciting product offerings and upgrades that are making an impact industry wide. We are confident that Karen will help us take the company to the next level, as we manage these innovations and build an even stronger foundation for our company's long-term success."
The appointment of Cahill is part of Elite's plans for significant growth this year and comes just a few weeks after another senior executive, John P. Washko, joined Elite as its national Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Bryce Johnson, who held the operational and financial roles for two years in addition to marketing and communications responsibilities, will now turn his focus to developing Elite's new online content strategy. Among other exciting initiatives, Elite recently rolled out an updated version of its SpeedRFP product, which includes several new features, and unveiled the newest version of EliteMeetings.com, to industry accolades.
Karen Cahill said, "I am delighted to join Elite's management team at this exciting moment in the company's growth." She concluded, "With a strong team and foundation already in place, I am looking forward to helping Kelly and the rest of the company maximize and build upon their accomplishments, while enhancing Elite's operational capacity so we continue to ensure customer and company success."
About Karen Cahill
Karen Cahill is a proven senior executive and manager, with a sound, practical management style and a track record of more than twenty years of success in team building and delivering on client expectations, while furthering organizational goals and objectives.
Prior to joining Elite, Cahill was Chief Operating Officer of Independent Means, a provider of financial education programs, tool and services. Before that, she served as President of the Flavia Company, an art licensing company that achieved more than $100 million in sales. Prior to that, she was a Senior Vice President at Primedia, one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.
Cahill has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio State University, and is active in numerous associations and community roles. She resides in Santa Barbara.
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, http://www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (http://www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (http://www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit http://www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.
03/21/12
EliteMeetings.com Relaunches with Bold New Look, Fresh Content, and Record Number of Meeting Planner Reviews
For a Growing Community of Meeting Professionals, the Redesigned Site Will Make Working with Top-Rated Hotels Easier and More Efficient Than Ever
Santa Barbara, CA, March 21, 2012 — Elite Meetings International (EMI) announced the relaunch of EliteMeetings.com, the meeting planner's trusted site for sourcing independently certified high-end and luxury hotels. While EliteMeetings.com has introduced many innovations over the years, the relaunch elevates EliteMeetings.com to new heights in both form and function.
The site's many enhancements include everything from fresh design and highly refined search tools to more prominent reviews by industry professionals with first-hand experiences to relate.
"We're very proud and excited to unveil our latest creation," said Kelly Foy, CEO of EMI. "As in everything we do," he continued, "we sought the wisdom of the planning community before undertaking this project. They provided insightful feedback that we then developed into real-world solutions to make their jobs easier and their online experience more enjoyable. But we won't stop now. We intend to foster an ever-growing community where educational opportunities, knowledge sharing and relationships can flourish."
Additional new and improved features to EliteMeetings.com include:
- An intuitive dashboard where planners can easily manage RFPs and share lists with colleagues or attendees
- An inviting environment to develop ideas, ask questions and chat with peers
- Fresh, relevant content found nowhere else
- Special group rates and offers exclusive to community members
- Informative tutorials to acquaint planners with new features
Benefits for Planners and Providers
Elite Meetings' online RFP system, SpeedRFP, syncs seamlessly to the site, allowing meeting professionals to request proposals from multiple properties at once--and then store, retrieve and monitor the responses in one convenient location.
Because of the robust search functionality, meeting professionals are able to streamline their RFPs, submitting only to those hotels that best fit their needs. The benefit of that innovation, says Foy, is a reduction in unwanted or unnecessary communication with venues that simply won't work for that particular event.
Hospitality providers frequently comment on the high quality of RFPs received from EliteMeetings.com, which average just 5.9 hotels per proposal—far below the industry average of nearly 15 hotels per proposal. For planners, the efficiency of the RFP process often results in better response time from hotels.
The more than 2,000 select hotels and resorts on EliteMeetings.com represent hotels certified as either Platinum- or Gold-level by the Elite Meetings Advisory Board (EMAB), a group of 23 industry planners and hospitality professionals. The certification cannot be purchased. Use of EliteMeetings.com is free to planners. For more information, visit www.EliteMeetings.com, or call 805-730-1000.
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 commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™, a widely used 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 call 805-730-1000.
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The site's many enhancements include everything from fresh design and highly refined search tools to more prominent reviews by industry professionals with first-hand experiences to relate.
"We're very proud and excited to unveil our latest creation," said Kelly Foy, CEO of EMI. "As in everything we do," he continued, "we sought the wisdom of the planning community before undertaking this project. They provided insightful feedback that we then developed into real-world solutions to make their jobs easier and their online experience more enjoyable. But we won't stop now. We intend to foster an ever-growing community where educational opportunities, knowledge sharing and relationships can flourish."
Additional new and improved features to EliteMeetings.com include:
- An intuitive dashboard where planners can easily manage RFPs and share lists with colleagues or attendees
- An inviting environment to develop ideas, ask questions and chat with peers
- Fresh, relevant content found nowhere else
- Special group rates and offers exclusive to community members
- Informative tutorials to acquaint planners with new features
Benefits for Planners and Providers
Elite Meetings' online RFP system, SpeedRFP, syncs seamlessly to the site, allowing meeting professionals to request proposals from multiple properties at once--and then store, retrieve and monitor the responses in one convenient location.
Because of the robust search functionality, meeting professionals are able to streamline their RFPs, submitting only to those hotels that best fit their needs. The benefit of that innovation, says Foy, is a reduction in unwanted or unnecessary communication with venues that simply won't work for that particular event.
Hospitality providers frequently comment on the high quality of RFPs received from EliteMeetings.com, which average just 5.9 hotels per proposal—far below the industry average of nearly 15 hotels per proposal. For planners, the efficiency of the RFP process often results in better response time from hotels.
The more than 2,000 select hotels and resorts on EliteMeetings.com represent hotels certified as either Platinum- or Gold-level by the Elite Meetings Advisory Board (EMAB), a group of 23 industry planners and hospitality professionals. The certification cannot be purchased. Use of EliteMeetings.com is free to planners. For more information, visit www.EliteMeetings.com, or call 805-730-1000.
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 commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™, a widely used 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 call 805-730-1000.
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02/21/12
SpeedRFP 2.0 Allows Hotels to Sell Direct to Buyers, and Consolidate and Manage all Group Bookings in One Place
Introducing a Single Cloud-based RFP System for Selling to Corporate, Leisure, and even Wedding Customers
Santa Barbara, CA, February 21, 2012 - Until now, hotel sales professionals have sold space and rooms to corporate meeting planners, social event planners, and wedding planners, via multiple sales systems, often on different technology platforms.
That changes today, with the launch of SpeedRFP 2.0 - the only technology that allows buyers to book any kind of group business, direct from any hotel website, anywhere in the world, by using a single, easy to manage, "three-in-one" RFP form.
For the meeting planner, event planner, or bride and groom, SpeedRFP serves as a sophisticated yet user-friendly eRFP management tool. Buyers now have an intuitive system that allows them to easily store and repurpose RFP information, creating efficiencies never before available. Hotels adopting SpeedRFP are seeing substantial increases in both the quality of RFP data, and quantity of RFPs submitted from direct buyers on their own websites. More information on SpeedRFP is available at www.SpeedRFP.com.
"Imagine the efficiencies and cost-savings to be gained by having a uniform system for booking groups, all groups, directly from a hotel's website, without any intermediary," said Kelly Foy, the CEO of Elite Meetings International, which created SpeedRFP. He concluded, "Now, for the first time, a hotel sales professional can manage the process of selling not just to meeting customers, but to wedding and social buyers as well, by using a single cloud-based solution that is easy to use, completely portable, and has already generated a community of more than 14,000 users worldwide."
Widely Adopted - and Affordable
Foy added that hotel brands that have already adopted SpeedRFP, include Destination Hotels & Resorts, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, Corinthia Hotels, and Preferred Hotel Group. He's confident many more brands will follow suit.
Andre Fournier, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, at Destination Hotels & Resorts, said, "Since replacing our previous online RFP form with SpeedRFP, the number and quality of RFPs Destination Hotels & Resorts received has increased exponentially."
Fournier is among the more than 9,000 hotel professionals that have already used SpeedRFP. When combined with more than 14,000 buyer members, SpeedRFP is the fastest growing industry community of meeting and hospitality professionals.
SpeedRFP is also easy to install on any hotel or chain website, and is directly integrated with MeetingBroker and other important operating systems. New functionalities that include multiple languages, lead sharing and a unique tracking capability, are expected to be unveiled shortly.
And it's affordable. Starting at a subscription level of less than $100 per month per hotel for the Enterprise Solution, having SpeedRFP on a hotel website is dramatically less expensive than the alternative - a hotel re-creating any kind of online RFP functionality on its own. And for the benefit of reaching an online community of more than 14,000 users, leveraging SpeedRFP's unique functionalities, the minimal monthly subscription cost is a veritable "drop in the bucket."
Foy concluded, "While there are many ways for hotels to receive group leads online, there is simply nothing else in the marketplace like SpeedRFP - its versatility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and ease of use, should make it an indispensable choice for hotel professionals everywhere."
About SpeedRFP
SpeedRFP is a cutting-edge product for creating, submitting and tracking RFPs online. SpeedRFP recently surpassed the 14,000-user mark, and is rapidly generating RFPs for meetings planners and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. As it gains in adoption, planner input continues to be gathered to shape SpeedRFP into a game-changer for the industry. SpeedRFP is a completely portable and seamless RFP technology any hotel can download the for a 60 day trial, and it is free to meeting professionals, from whom it is already drawing enthusiastic support. More information is available at www.SpeedRFP.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 commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime, a widely used program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP (href="http://www.speedrfp.com">www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com call 805-730-1000.
That changes today, with the launch of SpeedRFP 2.0 - the only technology that allows buyers to book any kind of group business, direct from any hotel website, anywhere in the world, by using a single, easy to manage, "three-in-one" RFP form.
For the meeting planner, event planner, or bride and groom, SpeedRFP serves as a sophisticated yet user-friendly eRFP management tool. Buyers now have an intuitive system that allows them to easily store and repurpose RFP information, creating efficiencies never before available. Hotels adopting SpeedRFP are seeing substantial increases in both the quality of RFP data, and quantity of RFPs submitted from direct buyers on their own websites. More information on SpeedRFP is available at www.SpeedRFP.com.
"Imagine the efficiencies and cost-savings to be gained by having a uniform system for booking groups, all groups, directly from a hotel's website, without any intermediary," said Kelly Foy, the CEO of Elite Meetings International, which created SpeedRFP. He concluded, "Now, for the first time, a hotel sales professional can manage the process of selling not just to meeting customers, but to wedding and social buyers as well, by using a single cloud-based solution that is easy to use, completely portable, and has already generated a community of more than 14,000 users worldwide."
Widely Adopted - and Affordable
Foy added that hotel brands that have already adopted SpeedRFP, include Destination Hotels & Resorts, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, Corinthia Hotels, and Preferred Hotel Group. He's confident many more brands will follow suit.
Andre Fournier, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, at Destination Hotels & Resorts, said, "Since replacing our previous online RFP form with SpeedRFP, the number and quality of RFPs Destination Hotels & Resorts received has increased exponentially."
Fournier is among the more than 9,000 hotel professionals that have already used SpeedRFP. When combined with more than 14,000 buyer members, SpeedRFP is the fastest growing industry community of meeting and hospitality professionals.
SpeedRFP is also easy to install on any hotel or chain website, and is directly integrated with MeetingBroker and other important operating systems. New functionalities that include multiple languages, lead sharing and a unique tracking capability, are expected to be unveiled shortly.
And it's affordable. Starting at a subscription level of less than $100 per month per hotel for the Enterprise Solution, having SpeedRFP on a hotel website is dramatically less expensive than the alternative - a hotel re-creating any kind of online RFP functionality on its own. And for the benefit of reaching an online community of more than 14,000 users, leveraging SpeedRFP's unique functionalities, the minimal monthly subscription cost is a veritable "drop in the bucket."
Foy concluded, "While there are many ways for hotels to receive group leads online, there is simply nothing else in the marketplace like SpeedRFP - its versatility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and ease of use, should make it an indispensable choice for hotel professionals everywhere."
About SpeedRFP
SpeedRFP is a cutting-edge product for creating, submitting and tracking RFPs online. SpeedRFP recently surpassed the 14,000-user mark, and is rapidly generating RFPs for meetings planners and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. As it gains in adoption, planner input continues to be gathered to shape SpeedRFP into a game-changer for the industry. SpeedRFP is a completely portable and seamless RFP technology any hotel can download the for a 60 day trial, and it is free to meeting professionals, from whom it is already drawing enthusiastic support. More information is available at www.SpeedRFP.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 commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime, a widely used program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP (href="http://www.speedrfp.com">www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com call 805-730-1000.
02/10/12
"Desert Cool" and a World of Opportunity Greet Planners and Hotels at the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA), at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
- 'All Systems Go' for 2012 -- as Elite Brings Buyers and Suppliers Together to Book Business, Share Knowledge and Reflect on Community Responsibility
Santa Barbara, CA, February 10, 2012 Elite Meetings International (EMI) brought together representatives from more than 100 top luxury hotels and prequalified meeting professionals from around the country to do deals, learn about the latest developments in corporate social responsibility, and look ahead to an exciting 2012, at the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA), January 29-31.
Taking place at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, the EMA included close to 1,000 prescheduled one-on-one meetings, continuing education sessions for CMP credit, inside perspectives from leading industry speakers, and a unique focus on corporate social responsibility. Among meeting professionals surveyed at the conference, close to three-quarters projected holding more meetings at luxury hotels in 2012 than in 2011 - a sign that the year is off to a strong start for planners and hoteliers alike.
Among attendees surveyed at the EMA:
- More than 70% of planners agreed they would book more meetings at luxury hotels in 2012 than in 2011.
- Close to 40% of planners said they had at least half a dozen meetings to book for 2012, with some needing to plan as many as 20 to 30 meetings.
- More than half said the number of meetings they would book in 2013 are likely to either stay the same or increase - adding additional fuel to optimism for the months ahead.
"The January 2012 EMA was truly an oasis of cool in the desert, and a tremendous opportunity for planners and hoteliers to connect and build business for the rest of the year," said Kelly Foy, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Meetings. Foy concluded, "It was clear to the top hoteliers and planners in attendance that the year ahead will be a busy one, and that EMI is helping to lead a crest of positive change in the industry -- transactionally with cutting-edge products, and by helping planners and hoteliers better understand how their work can contribute to a better community, a better environment, and a better planet."
Ty Brassie, Director of Sales & Marketing for Rancho Las Palmas said, "We were thrilled to host this EMA and showcase our unique brand of luxury hospitality, as Elite Meetings once again brought together a wonderful group of meeting professionals and luxury hotels." He concluded, "We appreciate the chance to host the event at our resort, and look forward to continuing to work closely with everyone at Elite in the months ahead."
Doing Well . . . and Doing Good
Highlights of the EMA included presentations by Shawn Siepler, CEO at Clean the World Global LLC, www.cleantheworld.org, on "How to Engage Attendees Sustainably, Socially, and Clean the World" -- as well as insightful sessions on a variety of topics from such prominent industry figures as Laura Schwartz, who explained the benefits of networking; Midori Connolly, who spoke on the topic of "Hybrid Meetings;" Daren Martin, who addressed "Green Meetings;" Dirk Smith, on "Personality Types and the Roles they Play in our Interactions," and Michael Dominguez, speaking about "Hotel Costings."
According to Megan MacKay, Event Coordinator at Intuit and an EMA attendee, "Educational sessions were excellent . . . [with] engaging sessions and fantastic speakers."
Foy said, "It was heartening, and inspiring, to see the level of goodwill and enthusiasm among attendees at the EMA, both in outlook for the industry and for EMI's suite of products and services." He concluded, "With a host of new innovations and announcements in the weeks ahead, it will be an exciting time for Elite."
EMI's Innovations Showcased . . . with More to Come
One innovation centers on numerous enhancements to SpeedRFP, a cutting-edge product for creating, submitting and tracking RFPs online. SpeedRFP recently surpassed the 13,000-user mark, and is rapidly generating RFPs for meetings planners and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. As it gains in adoption, planner input continues to be gathered to shape SpeedRFP into a game-changer for the industry. SpeedRFP is a completely portable and seamless RFP technology Any hotel can download the for a 90 day trial, and it is free to meeting professionals, from whom it is already drawing enthusiastic support.
EMI's FaceTime Appointment Scheduler technology is a proprietary streamlined program which helps buyers and sellers request, create, and manage appointments at meetings and conventions. Used widely at industry trade shows including the HSMAI's MEET conference, MPI's MeetDifferent, Dallas CVB and Four Season Hotels & Resorts client events, FaceTime facilitated the confirmation of hundreds of face-to-face business meetings at the January EMA.
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. Featured are private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities. This year at Rancho Las Palmas, attendees enjoyed everything the resort property offers - from its newly refurbished lobby and guest rooms, to the fabulous 20,000 square foot Rancho Las Palmas Spa, 27 holes of championship golf, world class cuisine, and Splashtopia, a unique pool and aquatic sports complex.
About Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Nestled in the heart of Rancho Mirage, at the base of the San Jacinto Mountain Range in the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa invites guests to indulge in a wide array of recreational activities, then retreat to the comfort of our classic accommodations. From soothing spa treatments to individual golf lessons, the Rancho Mirage, California hotel provides an ideal environment for meetings as well as leisure. Guest rooms feature plush bedding and French doors that open onto private patios. Sparkling swimming pools beckon for a refreshing swim. The Rancho Mirage hotel and resort offers a variety of family-friendly features for unforgettable vacations in the desert. For information, contact, 866-423-1195, or visit, www.rancholaspalmas.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 commission-free RFP-generating tool 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.
For more information on the EMA, contact EMATeam@EliteMeetings.com, or call (805) 879-4485.
Taking place at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, the EMA included close to 1,000 prescheduled one-on-one meetings, continuing education sessions for CMP credit, inside perspectives from leading industry speakers, and a unique focus on corporate social responsibility. Among meeting professionals surveyed at the conference, close to three-quarters projected holding more meetings at luxury hotels in 2012 than in 2011 - a sign that the year is off to a strong start for planners and hoteliers alike.
Among attendees surveyed at the EMA:
- More than 70% of planners agreed they would book more meetings at luxury hotels in 2012 than in 2011.
- Close to 40% of planners said they had at least half a dozen meetings to book for 2012, with some needing to plan as many as 20 to 30 meetings.
- More than half said the number of meetings they would book in 2013 are likely to either stay the same or increase - adding additional fuel to optimism for the months ahead.
"The January 2012 EMA was truly an oasis of cool in the desert, and a tremendous opportunity for planners and hoteliers to connect and build business for the rest of the year," said Kelly Foy, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Meetings. Foy concluded, "It was clear to the top hoteliers and planners in attendance that the year ahead will be a busy one, and that EMI is helping to lead a crest of positive change in the industry -- transactionally with cutting-edge products, and by helping planners and hoteliers better understand how their work can contribute to a better community, a better environment, and a better planet."
Ty Brassie, Director of Sales & Marketing for Rancho Las Palmas said, "We were thrilled to host this EMA and showcase our unique brand of luxury hospitality, as Elite Meetings once again brought together a wonderful group of meeting professionals and luxury hotels." He concluded, "We appreciate the chance to host the event at our resort, and look forward to continuing to work closely with everyone at Elite in the months ahead."
Doing Well . . . and Doing Good
Highlights of the EMA included presentations by Shawn Siepler, CEO at Clean the World Global LLC, www.cleantheworld.org, on "How to Engage Attendees Sustainably, Socially, and Clean the World" -- as well as insightful sessions on a variety of topics from such prominent industry figures as Laura Schwartz, who explained the benefits of networking; Midori Connolly, who spoke on the topic of "Hybrid Meetings;" Daren Martin, who addressed "Green Meetings;" Dirk Smith, on "Personality Types and the Roles they Play in our Interactions," and Michael Dominguez, speaking about "Hotel Costings."
According to Megan MacKay, Event Coordinator at Intuit and an EMA attendee, "Educational sessions were excellent . . . [with] engaging sessions and fantastic speakers."
Foy said, "It was heartening, and inspiring, to see the level of goodwill and enthusiasm among attendees at the EMA, both in outlook for the industry and for EMI's suite of products and services." He concluded, "With a host of new innovations and announcements in the weeks ahead, it will be an exciting time for Elite."
EMI's Innovations Showcased . . . with More to Come
One innovation centers on numerous enhancements to SpeedRFP, a cutting-edge product for creating, submitting and tracking RFPs online. SpeedRFP recently surpassed the 13,000-user mark, and is rapidly generating RFPs for meetings planners and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. As it gains in adoption, planner input continues to be gathered to shape SpeedRFP into a game-changer for the industry. SpeedRFP is a completely portable and seamless RFP technology Any hotel can download the for a 90 day trial, and it is free to meeting professionals, from whom it is already drawing enthusiastic support.
EMI's FaceTime Appointment Scheduler technology is a proprietary streamlined program which helps buyers and sellers request, create, and manage appointments at meetings and conventions. Used widely at industry trade shows including the HSMAI's MEET conference, MPI's MeetDifferent, Dallas CVB and Four Season Hotels & Resorts client events, FaceTime facilitated the confirmation of hundreds of face-to-face business meetings at the January EMA.
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. Featured are private, personalized business development meetings, continuing education breakout sessions for CMP credit, and unique networking activities. This year at Rancho Las Palmas, attendees enjoyed everything the resort property offers - from its newly refurbished lobby and guest rooms, to the fabulous 20,000 square foot Rancho Las Palmas Spa, 27 holes of championship golf, world class cuisine, and Splashtopia, a unique pool and aquatic sports complex.
About Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Nestled in the heart of Rancho Mirage, at the base of the San Jacinto Mountain Range in the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa invites guests to indulge in a wide array of recreational activities, then retreat to the comfort of our classic accommodations. From soothing spa treatments to individual golf lessons, the Rancho Mirage, California hotel provides an ideal environment for meetings as well as leisure. Guest rooms feature plush bedding and French doors that open onto private patios. Sparkling swimming pools beckon for a refreshing swim. The Rancho Mirage hotel and resort offers a variety of family-friendly features for unforgettable vacations in the desert. For information, contact, 866-423-1195, or visit, www.rancholaspalmas.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 commission-free RFP-generating tool 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.
For more information on the EMA, contact EMATeam@EliteMeetings.com, or call (805) 879-4485.
