Skift Take
Dated hotel distribution technology is holding back both meeting planners and hotel revenue managers. As new platforms and tools emerge, it will be interesting to see which major chains end up developing the most forward-looking attitudes toward selling event space in new ways.
The latest edition of our Event Tech Evolution series takes a look at the shifting distribution landscape and the ways in which new tools can streamline event planning.
Why isn’t selecting a venue for your event more like searching Google or Expedia? Well, it’s complicated. Check out my interview with Social Tables CEO Dan Berger below.
We’ve also got updates on the latest in luxury experiences (anti-luxury luxury?) and optimism among incentives professionals.
As always, if you have any feedback about the newsletter or tips, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or tweet me @sheivach.
— Andrew Sheivachman, Business Travel Editor
The Future of Meetings and Events
Social Tables CEO on Breaking Down Barriers for Meeting Planners: A lot of work needs to be done to improve the ability of hotels to sell to planners in smarter and more efficient ways. A variety of event technology companies are working on it, but the process of building trust among stakeholders will likely take some time.
Targeting a New Microgeneration of Luxury Travelers: Just when you started having it up to here with ballyhooed buzzwords like millennial, authenticity, and experiential travel, along comes J. Walter Thompson with a whole new compendium of marketing terminology. Let’s see what sticks.
Viacom Pushes Further Into Event Sector With Vidcon Buy: Consumer events are being snapped up by global giants. Business is good and the experience economy has become more important for media and entertainment companies.
Around The Event Industry
Incentives Industry Is Optimistic After Spending Bump: Spending on incentives has increased in recent years, and there is widespread optimism this will continue into 2018.
Marriott CEO Details How the Company Messed Up in China: If there’s anything for other businesses to learn about this snafu, it’s this: Don’t mess with China.
The Poetry of Hospitality Revolves Around Anticipation and Empathy: While we sometimes focus our adulation on other spheres such as startups and their founders, hoteliers need to be recognized for the hidden creativity that goes into doing their jobs well.
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Skift Business Travel Editor Andrew Sheivachman [[email protected]] curates the Skift Meetings Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Wednesday.
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Tags: hotels, meetings, meetingsiq, mir
Photo credit: Attendees at TedxSalem in January 2018. New technology will make it easier for both hotels and planners to work together. Carlee Wright / Flickr