“Table of 8” – June 16, 2010

The HSMAI-South Florida chapter’s June meeting was held recently at the Wyndham in Boca Raton, FL. A small, but enthusiastic, contingent was in attendance to hear David Atkins, Principal, Digital DNA Infusion, and the current Chair of the HSMAI-Board of the Americas, speak on Social Media and How it Impacts Revenue Management.

It was so nice to see some “old” friends as well as a lot of new faces in attendance. The Wyndham did a lovely job of hosting the event including a delicious dinner.

As ever, we all learned many things from the presentation, but here are just a few things that stuck in my mind. David covered the four types of social media (Review Sites, Photo Sharing, Video Sharing, and Blogs) and discussed the strategies for each of them. He noted that 1/3 to ½ of all purchase decisions are influenced by social media. In leisure travel planning, the second most important, influential feature is the use of photography. (Use PHOTOS!).

Another key item was to make sure you stimulate those customers who have had a positive experience at your hotel/with your company, to write a review – to talk about their good times. David explained ways to accomplish this.

The full presentation and some additional data details are available at digintaldnainfusion.com/southfljune2010. It also will be posted on the HSMAI-South Florida website (hsmaisouthflorida.org) under resources in the very near future.

Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider