(Editor’s Note: Here’s some selected information previously sent by our Association headquarters that you may have missed... HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)
The Adrian Awards – Celebrating its 55th year!
This competition has evolved into the worlds most renowned and prestigious advertising, public relations, and digital marketing event specifically tailored for the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries. The Awards honor creative brilliance and best practices in hospitality, travel, and tourism-related marketing.
Just a reminder that the early entry deadline is September 2 and the final deadline is September 16th. For more information on the Adrian Awards Competition, contact Desiree LaFont at (703) 506-3297 or email AdrianAwards@hsmai.org
In addition, HSMAI is also accepting nominations for the 2011 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing.
Barry Brown Receives Award:
HSMAI named Barry Brown, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, the Del Coronado and La Costa Resort & Spa, the 2011 Resort Marketer of the Year. The award, presented by HSMAI and LivingSocial, was awarded to Brown for exemplifying the highest degree of excellence and commitment to the hospitality industry.
Affordable Meetings becomes MEET National:
This “new” meetings event takes place September 7-8, 2011 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington, DC. Meeting and event planners get to take advantage of the latest educational updates, increase their professionalism and their contacts, attend planner-supplier scheduled meetings, etc., all in a new format. Will you be there?
HSMAI Insights Newsletters - An exclusive benefit of membership in HSMAI
Have you seen these weekly newsletters? Each issue is chock full of useful details and tidbits. These are divided into several sections including: “Fueling Sales”; “Inspiring Marketing”; “Optimizing Revenue”; “Update”; Pictures; and “On The Move”. It includes news briefs from around the media, with access to in-depth articles, columns, reports and multimedia on eConnect (which is a one-stop portal to global information and resources on hospitality sales and marketing topics provided by the HSMAI Foundation).
HSMAI and VIZERGY: Best Practices
HSMAI has partnered with VIZERGY to provide a white paper on best practices for integrated marketing. The paper provides an in-depth look at why travel marketers should move away from a singular focus on campaigns toward a more integrated marketing approach. In addition it addresses best practices for Establishing cross-functional teams; Defining appropriate goals; Matching consumer-preferred channels to defined goals; and Focusing on the right success measures. The white paper can be found online by visiting http://www.hsmaieconnect.org/index.html
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Around Town – August 2011
(Editor’s Note: Here’s another collection of newsworthy items from our industry members and the South Florida community. HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)
Southeast Florida:
Congratulations to Alice Land who started her new position with Marriott on August 8th. Alice was previously the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Mayfair Resort and a past Board member of our South Florida HSMAI chapter.
Congratulations to Anna Russo, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort (Fort Lauderdale) on attaining her CHSE designation!
The Bahia Beach Hotel at 3030 Harbor Drive in Fort Lauderdale has new owners. It was sold in July to a Miami company.
Greater Fort Lauderdale will host the 2011 Superior Small Lodging Annual Conference, at the Broward County Convention Center, Sept 27-28. Superior Small Lodging members from the around the state will gather to share ideas and plan for the year ahead.
The fourth annual Lauderdale Spa Chic runs from September 1-30. Enjoy spa treatments for $99 (up to 50% savings) and Spa Chic Stays, including spa treatments and overnight accommodations, starting at $239 at one of 14 participating spas (many at top hotels in Broward). For details and info on the CVB’s Spa Chic contest visit www.sunny.org/spachic.
According to Smith Travel Research reports, South Florida hotel occupancies and room rates rose in June. The region’s hotel occupancy climbed to 65.7 percent from 61.7 percent in June 2010. The average daily room rate rose 5.1 percent, to $108.67 from $103.41.
The number of passengers at South Florida airports rose in June. Total passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport increased 8.6 percent, year-over-year. The number of domestic travelers rose to 1.6 million (vs. 1.47 million). International passengers also went up 8.6 percent (273,788 vs. 252,146).
In July, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had its 23rd month of passenger growth in July 2011. Total passengers climbed 4.4 percent, year-over-year, to 2 million from July 2010’s 1.95 million. The number of international passengers rose to 339,332 from 335,031. And Domestic travelers increased 5.1 percent, to 1.7 million from 1.6 million.
Miami International Airport saw similar passenger increases, rising 7.7 percent, year-over-year (3.2 million vs. 2.98 million). Domestic travelers in June rose to 1.68 million (vs.1.57 million in June 2010). International passengers were up to 1.53 million (vs.1.4 million).
Miami Beach’s The Raleigh Hotel successfully hosted the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim event in July where more than 12,000 people attended the five-day 2012 swimwear preview. The event showcased 24 designers under tents around the hotel's pool. Speaking of The Raleigh, the 70 year old hotel will be renovated again (last time was in 2004). The hotel will remain open during its makeover/enhancement which should be completed by December.
The Fontainebleau Resort (Miami Beach) is offering a special Florida Resident promotion through September 30th, with rates from $249 including complimentary valet parking - Fourth night free - A Little Bleau Book at check-in - kids eat free for 3 meals a day. Some restrictions apply. Promotional rate is based on double occupancy in Standard room category for Sunday - Wednesday nights only. Blackout dates apply.
Sorry to hear that The Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau and the Beaches Turks & Caicos remain closed due to Hurricane Irene. The good news? The Sandals resort will reopen Sept. 28, and the Beaches property will reopen Oct. 6.
All three of the South Florida’s major airports made Cheapflights.com's list of 101 most affordable airports, which ranked airports by average airfare:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport ranked fourth (the highest in Florida) with an average airfare of $328, followed by Palm Beach International Airport at No. 11 with an average airfare of $346. Miami International Airport ranked in the bottom tier, at No. 85 with an average airfare of $534. (No. 22 was Southwest Florida International Airport).
Southwest Florida:
Congrats to Jack Wert, Executive Director for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, on his appointment to the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors as a representative of the Southwest Florida tourism industry. He was also reappointed to the International Committee.
Congrats to U, PR & Communications Manager, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, who has been reappointed to the VISIT FLORIDA Communications Committee.
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club has received Meetings Focus South magazine's "Best of the South" award, which is given annually to the finest meeting properties in the South, as selected by the magazine's readers.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort has received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, which honors top-rated lodging businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world's largest travel site.
The Naples Park Central Hotel, formerly the Sea Court Hotel, reopened with a complete interior and exterior remodel. The Park Central was taken over by new owners and management to give Naples a new and contemporary lodging property.
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort has launched a “Give & Get”, a volun-tourism program to reward travelers who give back to the community. Guests who spend part of their vacation helping others will receive a 15 percent savings on their stay through Sept. 30. Volunteer opportunities range from renovating a butterfly garden with Friends of Rookery Bay, building homes with Habitat for Humanity or helping out at Marco Island's first local high school. If resort visitors post photos or videos of their experience on the resort's Facebook page, they receive a $25 resort credit for a return trip.
The fourth annual Islands FallFest from September through November 2011 combines annual events and festivals with special hotel rates and value-added deals for visitors to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.
Research Data Services showed that visitor numbers for June 2011 increased nearly 10% over June 2010, according to the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB reports.
During June 2011, 473,332 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to June 2010. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 5.4 percent from the same period last year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To submit items for future blog editions, please send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Southeast Florida:
Congratulations to Alice Land who started her new position with Marriott on August 8th. Alice was previously the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Mayfair Resort and a past Board member of our South Florida HSMAI chapter.
Congratulations to Anna Russo, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort (Fort Lauderdale) on attaining her CHSE designation!
The Bahia Beach Hotel at 3030 Harbor Drive in Fort Lauderdale has new owners. It was sold in July to a Miami company.
Greater Fort Lauderdale will host the 2011 Superior Small Lodging Annual Conference, at the Broward County Convention Center, Sept 27-28. Superior Small Lodging members from the around the state will gather to share ideas and plan for the year ahead.
The fourth annual Lauderdale Spa Chic runs from September 1-30. Enjoy spa treatments for $99 (up to 50% savings) and Spa Chic Stays, including spa treatments and overnight accommodations, starting at $239 at one of 14 participating spas (many at top hotels in Broward). For details and info on the CVB’s Spa Chic contest visit www.sunny.org/spachic.
According to Smith Travel Research reports, South Florida hotel occupancies and room rates rose in June. The region’s hotel occupancy climbed to 65.7 percent from 61.7 percent in June 2010. The average daily room rate rose 5.1 percent, to $108.67 from $103.41.
The number of passengers at South Florida airports rose in June. Total passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport increased 8.6 percent, year-over-year. The number of domestic travelers rose to 1.6 million (vs. 1.47 million). International passengers also went up 8.6 percent (273,788 vs. 252,146).
In July, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had its 23rd month of passenger growth in July 2011. Total passengers climbed 4.4 percent, year-over-year, to 2 million from July 2010’s 1.95 million. The number of international passengers rose to 339,332 from 335,031. And Domestic travelers increased 5.1 percent, to 1.7 million from 1.6 million.
Miami International Airport saw similar passenger increases, rising 7.7 percent, year-over-year (3.2 million vs. 2.98 million). Domestic travelers in June rose to 1.68 million (vs.1.57 million in June 2010). International passengers were up to 1.53 million (vs.1.4 million).
Miami Beach’s The Raleigh Hotel successfully hosted the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim event in July where more than 12,000 people attended the five-day 2012 swimwear preview. The event showcased 24 designers under tents around the hotel's pool. Speaking of The Raleigh, the 70 year old hotel will be renovated again (last time was in 2004). The hotel will remain open during its makeover/enhancement which should be completed by December.
The Fontainebleau Resort (Miami Beach) is offering a special Florida Resident promotion through September 30th, with rates from $249 including complimentary valet parking - Fourth night free - A Little Bleau Book at check-in - kids eat free for 3 meals a day. Some restrictions apply. Promotional rate is based on double occupancy in Standard room category for Sunday - Wednesday nights only. Blackout dates apply.
Sorry to hear that The Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau and the Beaches Turks & Caicos remain closed due to Hurricane Irene. The good news? The Sandals resort will reopen Sept. 28, and the Beaches property will reopen Oct. 6.
All three of the South Florida’s major airports made Cheapflights.com's list of 101 most affordable airports, which ranked airports by average airfare:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport ranked fourth (the highest in Florida) with an average airfare of $328, followed by Palm Beach International Airport at No. 11 with an average airfare of $346. Miami International Airport ranked in the bottom tier, at No. 85 with an average airfare of $534. (No. 22 was Southwest Florida International Airport).
Southwest Florida:
Congrats to Jack Wert, Executive Director for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, on his appointment to the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors as a representative of the Southwest Florida tourism industry. He was also reappointed to the International Committee.
Congrats to U, PR & Communications Manager, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, who has been reappointed to the VISIT FLORIDA Communications Committee.
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club has received Meetings Focus South magazine's "Best of the South" award, which is given annually to the finest meeting properties in the South, as selected by the magazine's readers.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort has received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, which honors top-rated lodging businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world's largest travel site.
The Naples Park Central Hotel, formerly the Sea Court Hotel, reopened with a complete interior and exterior remodel. The Park Central was taken over by new owners and management to give Naples a new and contemporary lodging property.
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort has launched a “Give & Get”, a volun-tourism program to reward travelers who give back to the community. Guests who spend part of their vacation helping others will receive a 15 percent savings on their stay through Sept. 30. Volunteer opportunities range from renovating a butterfly garden with Friends of Rookery Bay, building homes with Habitat for Humanity or helping out at Marco Island's first local high school. If resort visitors post photos or videos of their experience on the resort's Facebook page, they receive a $25 resort credit for a return trip.
The fourth annual Islands FallFest from September through November 2011 combines annual events and festivals with special hotel rates and value-added deals for visitors to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.
Research Data Services showed that visitor numbers for June 2011 increased nearly 10% over June 2010, according to the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB reports.
During June 2011, 473,332 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to June 2010. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 5.4 percent from the same period last year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To submit items for future blog editions, please send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Thursday, August 4, 2011
July 20th, 2011 HSMAI-South Florida Meeting Recap
“Table of Eight” – Our occasional column with comments about Chapter events.
(By HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick, jwfranklin1@gmail.com)
What a nice turn out for the Chapter’s dinner meeting at the Renaissance Boca Raton for a presentation on tourism trends and visitor data by Brittany Baldwin, Sales Executive, Caribbean & Southern US, STR (Smith Travel Research).
Don’t you love meeting new people and learning about them and their companies? I was especially pleased to join Dr. Peter Ricci, Director, Hospitality Management Program, Florida Atlantic University, and some of his friends at their table. Peter, by the way, has CHA, CHSE, and CRME certifications, is a very prolific writer of scholarly articles on lodging management topics and a member of “too many to name” groups and associations (including serving on the board of our Chapter). Mark Klayman, Director of Business Development, Vizergy provides internet marketing and e-commerce solutions with reservation systems, services, and special software to help clients drive more revenue. John Bailey, the General Manager of the Hilton Boca Raton (near 441) keeps busy with duties on property and serves on the Board of the Palm Beach County Hotel & Lodging Association. Compared notes with Josh Morrone, Member Care Manager, South Central Region for America’s Best Value Inn by Vantage, and Sanja Vukik, CHA, National Travel Sales Manager, Vantage Hospitality Group. Sanja, by the way, is a 2010 FAU graduate.
As always, there will be different things that people will remember from a presentation that may apply to their specific hotel/company. But here are a few key points from my notes.
Ms. Baldwin spoke about her company, STR, presented an overview of US travel data and then focused in on trends for Florida and for our southeast portion of Florida (from Palm Beach to Miami-Dade).
On a national basis, 2011 showed a total US occupancy of approximately 59.2%. These are year-to-date (YTD) figures through June, 2011. In general, their survey results are showing that there is the strongest hotel demand rebound ever. The supply side is slowing down and demand is up. The ADR (average daily rate) has been very erratic during each downturn period (since 1989) and currently the industry is struggling to get hotel rates back up to where they should be. STR is not sure how long this will take, however. Ms. Baldwin noted that it took six years to get rates back up just to equal rates of inflation after 911 (Nine eleven).
Florida currently has approximate 3600 hotel properties with some 411,537 rooms. June 2011 YTD showed an overall state occupancy rate of 67.5%. Last year was a pretty bad year for the industry, but so far one can see that travelers are returning to Florida and numbers are up.
Southeast Florida is showing a better than average demand than most other destinations in the US and demand is coming back strong. Occupancy is rebounding, but the room rate is lagging behind quite a bit. Hoteliers need to realize that they have “pricing power” and can start now to get better rates for their rooms. Interestingly, the weekday occupancy rates have outperformed the rates of the last 3 years. Although, in all time periods, the ADR is showing less dollars received, it’s still better compared to what it was in 2009 and 2010.
What about the rest of 2011? Nationally, STR is forecasting increases of 3.8% for occupancy and 4% for ADR. For 2012, occupancy should be up another 2% and ADR should be up 6%. In Southeast Florida, they’re projecting an increase of 5.8% for the balance of 2011; and an increase in 2012 of another percentage point (up 1%).
Ms. Baldwin suggested that hotels familiarize themselves with the “Bandwidth” Report. This report tells you how your property is doing in comparison to your competitors/other hotels. Another useful tool is a “Revenue Positioning Matrix” (RPM). Does your hotel price positioning strategy make sense? Can you provide more value and clearly make customers understand why you charge more? Studying these various matrices, can lead to a higher ADR index and a higher occupancy index. If you have meetings/conference space, another suggested report to check out is the Meeting Planner Survey which tells you what planners think about your destination.
I’m sure everyone brought at least one really good statistic or useful piece of information back with them to their companies after the program. Thank you, again, Brittany.
(Note: Ms. Baldwin also spoke at our HSMAI Chapter’s luncheon the next day at the Holiday Inn–Fort Myers Airport for our west coast members with targeted data relating to Lee and Collier counties.)
Mark your calendars:
On Wednesday, August 17th, the Chapter’s speed networking meeting will be held
at the Clevelander Hotel, Miami Beach. 6 pm including wine and hors d’oeuvres.
PS Just a reminder to send in your industry news/updates for the “Around Town” column for the HSMAI-South Florida chapter’s blog, “Scoop”, to jwfranklin1@gmail.co
(By HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick, jwfranklin1@gmail.com)
What a nice turn out for the Chapter’s dinner meeting at the Renaissance Boca Raton for a presentation on tourism trends and visitor data by Brittany Baldwin, Sales Executive, Caribbean & Southern US, STR (Smith Travel Research).
Don’t you love meeting new people and learning about them and their companies? I was especially pleased to join Dr. Peter Ricci, Director, Hospitality Management Program, Florida Atlantic University, and some of his friends at their table. Peter, by the way, has CHA, CHSE, and CRME certifications, is a very prolific writer of scholarly articles on lodging management topics and a member of “too many to name” groups and associations (including serving on the board of our Chapter). Mark Klayman, Director of Business Development, Vizergy provides internet marketing and e-commerce solutions with reservation systems, services, and special software to help clients drive more revenue. John Bailey, the General Manager of the Hilton Boca Raton (near 441) keeps busy with duties on property and serves on the Board of the Palm Beach County Hotel & Lodging Association. Compared notes with Josh Morrone, Member Care Manager, South Central Region for America’s Best Value Inn by Vantage, and Sanja Vukik, CHA, National Travel Sales Manager, Vantage Hospitality Group. Sanja, by the way, is a 2010 FAU graduate.
As always, there will be different things that people will remember from a presentation that may apply to their specific hotel/company. But here are a few key points from my notes.
Ms. Baldwin spoke about her company, STR, presented an overview of US travel data and then focused in on trends for Florida and for our southeast portion of Florida (from Palm Beach to Miami-Dade).
On a national basis, 2011 showed a total US occupancy of approximately 59.2%. These are year-to-date (YTD) figures through June, 2011. In general, their survey results are showing that there is the strongest hotel demand rebound ever. The supply side is slowing down and demand is up. The ADR (average daily rate) has been very erratic during each downturn period (since 1989) and currently the industry is struggling to get hotel rates back up to where they should be. STR is not sure how long this will take, however. Ms. Baldwin noted that it took six years to get rates back up just to equal rates of inflation after 911 (Nine eleven).
Florida currently has approximate 3600 hotel properties with some 411,537 rooms. June 2011 YTD showed an overall state occupancy rate of 67.5%. Last year was a pretty bad year for the industry, but so far one can see that travelers are returning to Florida and numbers are up.
Southeast Florida is showing a better than average demand than most other destinations in the US and demand is coming back strong. Occupancy is rebounding, but the room rate is lagging behind quite a bit. Hoteliers need to realize that they have “pricing power” and can start now to get better rates for their rooms. Interestingly, the weekday occupancy rates have outperformed the rates of the last 3 years. Although, in all time periods, the ADR is showing less dollars received, it’s still better compared to what it was in 2009 and 2010.
What about the rest of 2011? Nationally, STR is forecasting increases of 3.8% for occupancy and 4% for ADR. For 2012, occupancy should be up another 2% and ADR should be up 6%. In Southeast Florida, they’re projecting an increase of 5.8% for the balance of 2011; and an increase in 2012 of another percentage point (up 1%).
Ms. Baldwin suggested that hotels familiarize themselves with the “Bandwidth” Report. This report tells you how your property is doing in comparison to your competitors/other hotels. Another useful tool is a “Revenue Positioning Matrix” (RPM). Does your hotel price positioning strategy make sense? Can you provide more value and clearly make customers understand why you charge more? Studying these various matrices, can lead to a higher ADR index and a higher occupancy index. If you have meetings/conference space, another suggested report to check out is the Meeting Planner Survey which tells you what planners think about your destination.
I’m sure everyone brought at least one really good statistic or useful piece of information back with them to their companies after the program. Thank you, again, Brittany.
(Note: Ms. Baldwin also spoke at our HSMAI Chapter’s luncheon the next day at the Holiday Inn–Fort Myers Airport for our west coast members with targeted data relating to Lee and Collier counties.)
Mark your calendars:
On Wednesday, August 17th, the Chapter’s speed networking meeting will be held
at the Clevelander Hotel, Miami Beach. 6 pm including wine and hors d’oeuvres.
PS Just a reminder to send in your industry news/updates for the “Around Town” column for the HSMAI-South Florida chapter’s blog, “Scoop”, to jwfranklin1@gmail.co
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
