Elite Meetings Blog — News and writings from the Elite Meetings community members.

The official blog of Elite Meetings International

Focus on Scotland

When it comes to destinations with powerful appeal, Scotland has it all: rich culture, history, natural beauty, and, for meeting professionals, hospitality standards that virtually guarantee a crowd-pleasing event. These venues, from a site visit in April,… [read more...]

Focus on Scotland

Focus on Scotland

Streamlining the RFP Process

Here’s a bit of trivia for you: Did you know that the volume of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) sent to hotels has increased by 300% over the last three years? Did you know that it takes, on average, 20-30 minutes for a hotel salesperson to reply to a… [read more...]

Streamlining the RFP Process

Streamlining the RFP Process

Building a Better FaceTime

I still remember walking into the office on June 4. After Janelle, our FaceTime product specialist, and I exchanged delightful stories about our weekends, I turned on my computer and logged into the brand-new version of the FaceTime Appointment Scheduler.… [read more...]

Building a Better FaceTime

Building a Better FaceTime

Help a Planner Out – Write a Review

Calling all well-traveled planners... Your peers want to hear from you! Your real-world experiences help other meeting planners make informed decisions about site selection. Plus, it's just good karma. Reviewing hotels is easy on EliteMeetings.com.… [read more...]

Help a Planner Out – Write a Review

Help a Planner Out - Write a Review

What is SpeedRFP?

If you are interested in generating more complete and qualified group leads from your hotel's website, then you really need to check out this SpeedRFP PowerPoint.… [read more...]

What is SpeedRFP?

What is SpeedRFP?

Big Easy Meetings Made Even Easier

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Each year millions of people flock to New Orleans for business as well as pleasure. And given the recent news coming out of the Big Easy, that number is only expected to grow. Here are the highlights:For starters, the city’s renowned meeting spot, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, was upgraded earlier this year. Because of it, meeting planners now have more state-of-the-art venues to choose from. Some of the [...]

by Martha Brooks on May 21, 2013

Focus on Scotland

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When it comes to destinations with powerful appeal, Scotland has it all: rich culture, history, natural beauty, and, for meeting professionals, hospitality standards that virtually guarantee a crowd-pleasing event. These venues, from a site visit in April, suggest the range of offerings for upscale and luxury groups. Name: Stirling Castle Location: an hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow What Groups Can Expect: An imposing, impressive site for atmospheric events in [...]

by Susan Campbell on May 14, 2013

What’s New for the Show’s Chicago Debut?

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With registrations on the rise, a robust education program in place, and new places at the show to recharge, AIBTM promises to be productive and enjoyable, too. The following show particulars will have you primed and ready to go. If you’re attending, you’ll be in good company. Even weeks before AIBTM makes its Chicago debut (June 11-13, 2013), the show has surpassed last year’s numbers. Both exhibitor and hosted buyer [...]

by Susan Campbell on May 13, 2013

Use the TSNN Top 250 List to Find Ideal Meeting Space

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The Trade Show News Network just released its 2012 list of the top 250 trade shows in the United States. Sponsored by MarketArt, the list ranks trade shows based on the net square footage occupied during the event. Topping the list is the Consumer Electronics Association’s gigantic International CES Show. The show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in January and amassed 1,862,097 square feet of exihibit space. [...]

by Martha Brooks on May 7, 2013

10 Takeaways from the Scotland Means Business Show

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What makes Scotland so attractive for groups? The 2013 Scotland Means Business show, which took place in Inverness on April 23 and 24, gave insights into the year ahead, the country’s unique attributes, and just how good Scottish hospitality can be. 1. The Scottish hospitality industry really “gets it” when it comes to the needs of North American groups. They’re currently making a $US3.1 billion capital investment into tourism infrastructure [...]

by Susan Campbell on May 3, 2013

EliteMeetings.com How To: Share, Print or Send an RFP to an Existing List

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Did you know? EliteMeetings.com allows you to easily create personalized lists as you search for the best hotels for your meetings. Creating lists of your preferred hotels can save you lots of time when sourcing your next event. How so? If you plan multiple events in the same location, you can create a list of your ideal hotels as you search on EliteMeetings.com. Or, if you plan meetings with the [...]

by clynch on May 3, 2013

What’s new for this year’s IMEX Frankfurt?

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The event, to be held in Frankfurt, Germany May 21-23, 2013, will maintain its usual three-prong approach, encompassing education, business and networking. It’s time-tested and highly successful, so why not? But never a show to rest on its laurels, IMEX will be introducing some enhancements this year. For instance, they’ll devote some of the show floor to a “Research Pod,” where twice a day, attendees can discuss in depth the [...]

by Susan Campbell on May 2, 2013

SYVHA Launches Online Request for Proposal Program

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SYVHA Launches Online Request for Proposal Program Enjoy Simplified Meeting, Wedding and Special Event Bookings in the Santa Ynez Valley Santa Ynez Valley, California — The Santa Ynez Valley Hotel Association (SYVHA) is proud to announce it will facilitate electronic request for proposals at www.visitthesantaynezvalley.com/meetingsandevents. Through the integration of Elite Meetings International’s SpeedRFP™ technology, planners will have the ability to enter their group’s requirements just one time using SpeedRFP’s standardized [...]

by Martha Brooks on May 1, 2013

MEET in May: HSMAI’s Annual Show Returns to Anaheim

Where will you be on May 29 and 30? If you’re like many of your industry colleagues, you’ll be in sunny Anaheim, California, attending HSMAI’s MEET West. The event at the Anaheim Marriott represents the second installment in this year’s MEET lineup. The final show in the 2013 series will take place September 4-5 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Throughout the show, HSMAI’s MEET University [...]

by Susan Campbell on May 1, 2013

Sending Targeted RFPs to Multiple Venues Yields Competitive Bids

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As a meeting planner, one of the biggest benefits of online RFP tools is the ability to send your Request for Proposal (RFP) to multiple hotels at one time. With a few clicks, your completed RFP can be sent to several locations simultaneously. A formerly tedious process becomes simplified. However, convenience can come with complication. Sending an RFP to a venue ill-suited to your meeting needs or unavailable for your meeting dates can [...]

by Martha Brooks on April 30, 2013

Don’t Let ‘Poachers’ Prevent Room Blocks From Being Filled at Upscale Hotels

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If you plan meetings, conferences or conventions for an association or trade organization, you’re probably very organized. You make certain all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed well in advance of the events you organize. But there’s one aspect of event planning that’s not entirely in your control. You can’t always ensure the room block at event hotels is filled. While you take steps to inform participants of the [...]

by Martha Brooks on April 23, 2013

Elite Meetings International (EMI) continues to educate on Lead Spam issue

For the second consecutive Alliance Event, August 2012 at Revel in Atlantic City and two weeks ago at The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, EMI facilitated a 1.5 hour panel discussion between Hoteliers and Planners on the topics of eRFP volume, lead spam, and techniques on how to streamline the electronic sourcing process. Planners shared best practices to make their rfps stand out in the avalanche of eRFp volume, [...]

by John Washko on April 23, 2013

Elite Meetings Alliance at Hotel del Coronado Delivered Record Appointments

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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, [...]

by Martha Brooks on April 19, 2013

Five Tips for Finding the Ideal Meeting Space

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Selecting a meeting or conference destination presents a challenge. While budget is usually the primary consideration, many other factors should contribute to your decision as well. As an event planner, you have to consider your needs and those of your attendees. To help you along the way, consider our five tips for finding the ideal meeting space. Ensure suitability. Think beyond just the accessibility of a location. What impression will [...]

by Martha Brooks on April 16, 2013

Inspiration on the Agenda: HSMAI’s 2013 MEET Mid-America Show

The first of HSMAI’s trio of MEET shows for 2013 will take place April 23-24 in Chicago, at Chicago’s Navy Pier. If attendance predictions play out as anticipated, some 1,200 guests, including 150 exhibitors, will participate. Along with the prescheduled appointments, open floor time, and one-on-one appointments made on the fly by the onsite concierge, meeting professionals will also have access to a well-rounded educational lineup. You won’t want to [...]

by Susan Campbell on April 16, 2013

Intern Insights 6, April 9th

By: Ross Monnich Well, they say all good things must come to an end and unfortunately the final bell has tolled for our April EMA. I hope all of you attendees had as much fun as I did exploring the regal resort grounds, reuniting with old friends, and meeting new ones. On our final day we enjoyed a send-off keynote speech, wrapped up our one-on-one meeting’s and shared a few amazing meals [...]

by Ross Monnich on April 12, 2013

Intern Insights 5, April 8th

By: Ross Monnich My alarm jarred me awake from a very deep and comfortable slumber this morning at the ripe hour of 5:15 am. Time for Sunrise Yoga. I doubled-up on t-shirts, pulled a sweater over my mangy bed-head, and begrudgingly headed out the door to greet the frigid morning with my trusty Giants cap pulled low over my ears. At this predawn hour, the Del is a virtual [...]

by Ross Monnich on April 9, 2013

Intern Insights 4, April 7th

By: Ross Monnich I know I’ve written a lot about our food and eating experiences here at the Hotel Del, but it is a difficult topic to avoid when your days seem to be punctuated by the meals you eat. Having said that, I would be doing this blog a serious injustice if I refrained from mentioning in detail the Hotel Del Coronado’s critically acclaimed Sunday Brunch. We’ve all heard [...]

by Ross Monnich on April 8, 2013

Intern Insights 3, April 6th

By: Ross Monnich This morning we rolled out the Welcome-Wagon in traditional EMA & Hotel Del fashion as we greeted incoming attendees at the outdoor Hospitality Desk. It was so great to meet some of the folks that utilize Elite Meetings and to finally shake hands with members of the team that, until now, had been characters of company legend. Our team joined forces [...]

by Ross Monnich on April 7, 2013

Intern Insights 2, April 5th

By: Ross Monnich We packed our rental car to the gills, braved hellish 405 traffic, and after a long afternoon on the road, finally arrived at the Hotel Del Coronado! Margaret had us salivating all the way down to San Diego as she read us the extensive menu selection that head hotel chef John Shelton has prepared for this weekend. I won’t spoil any culinary surprises, but it is [...]

by Ross Monnich on April 6, 2013

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