success - Associated Luxury Hotels International

DESTINATION
Vol. XXIX No. 3 • Summer 2015
SUCCESS
News and Business Solutions for Successful Meeting Professionals
INSIDE
Simplify
Make Your RFP Stand Out
By David Gabri
This Issue
Get To The Point!
Page 2
Destination Features
In our ever-changing and increasingly competitive
business world, it is imperative that we continually look
for ways to help our business and/or organization grow.
Page 3-7
loews miami beach
One innovative way to do this is by heeding the
advice of Lisa Bodell, acclaimed speaker and author
of the popular book Kill The Company: End The
Status Quo, Start An Innovation Revolution.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to read the book,
I highly recommend that you do so. It encourages you
to look at your organization and its processes in a new
light, and to question assumptions and challenge rules.
bellagio
Ojai Valley inn & Spa
Ponte vedra Inn & club
Belmond Charleston Place
Level 5 Collection
Page 7
FAQs
Page 8
Restaurant Briefs
Page 8
According to Bodell, if your company or organization
is dominated by processes and rules, where everyone
is stuck in the “land of status quo,” it may be time to
shake things up by “getting rid of things first rather
than continually building on what doesn’t work.”
In other words: Simplify!
One idea cited in the book that I particularly like is
“Kill The Stupid Rule,” which is an innovative tool
for eliminating unnecessary processes or steps.
As Bodell described it, invite teams to answer the
question: “If you could kill or change all of the stupid
rules that get in the way of doing your work, what
would they be, and how would you do it?”
This exercise can provide invaluable insight into
processes or procedures that may have outlived their
usefulness. Implementing appropriate suggestions
will enable the team members more time to get their
“real work” done, and to be more engaged with the
organization.
very successful TED Conferences.
As you very likely know, TED Conferences feature
powerful talks in a very concise manner, of 18
minutes or less. Initially focused on Technology,
Entertainment and Design, the TED Conferences
today cover almost all topics, serving as a powerful
and inspiring “intellectual concert” for the exchange
of ideas and information.
The lessons learned from the TED Conferences?
Information in today’s rapidly moving society is
often best-received in a fast, dynamic, to-thepoint, fact-based format that does not waste the
audience’s time.
Consider utilizing this format at your upcoming
meetings and conventions, where the emphasis
is on passionately sharing deliverables and
solutions, and not opinions. Provide useful, succinct
information that can be readily applied, in an
interactive, immersive and engaging environment
that inspires.
This innovative format was recently – and very
effectively – used by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Executive Vice President Suzanne Clark at the
Innovation Nation Conference, and we will be
utilizing this format at our upcoming ALHI Industry
Advisory Council conference.
The
Takeaway
The
Takeaway
The
Takeaway
The
TED Way
Learning innovative techniques from authors like
Lisa Bodell, and discovering inventive ways to
conduct our own meetings and programs such as
the fine example provided by the TED Conferences,
can prove to be invaluable in identifying ways to
improve your own company or organization.
Another way for us to help grow our business and/
or organizations is by looking to the example of the
Now, how can your organization apply these
lessons?
A win-win for all!
Make Your RFP
Stand Out
Example questions provided by Kandziora include:
•What is important to you and your attendees when selecting a property?
•What is the objective of the program?
•How has the venue worked favorably to assist in the past?
•What is the decision timeline, and/or next steps?
Ultimately the entire process will be more efficient
by saving time, narrowing the planner’s search and
finding available options.
Other tips for making your RFP stand out include:
•List potential dates in order of preference.
(At least three or four sets of dates, if possible.)
•Let the hotel know if the meeting could take place over a holiday, or arrive on a Sunday.
•Consider a multi-year contract, which would lock-in the desired dates and rates.
With the growth in the demand for meetings,
programs, leisure travel and individual business
travel, the hotel industry is achieving all-time new
heights in occupancies, with corresponding rising
rates. Meeting and incentive professionals are
countering by giving the proper attention to their
RFPs to gain maximum attention from hotels and
resorts for their programs.
So, how can you best make your RFP stand out?
“The more key information you include in your RFP,
the better,” according to John Rovie, Director of Sales
& Marketing for Idaho’s extraordinary The Coeur
d’Alene Resort. “A good sales person wants to
address all of your critical needs in their reply.”
Also, communicate if you have date and/or pattern
flexibility for the best options and values.
Similarly, if it must be a certain date, reflect that for
clarity, and present any requested concessions
in a priority format, focusing on only those most
important to your organization. RFPs with too many
concessions listed are far less likely to survive in
the daily RFP reviews when there is other business
seeking the same dates.
It is recommended to only include destinations/
properties that qualify for serious consideration
when distributing your RFP. Sometimes it is too easy
to widen the scope of a search when the reality
is something different. Given the volume and the
long “to do” list we all seem to have, effort is best
focused on tasks with real potential.
Charlie Wellman, Director of Sales for South
Carolina’s gorgeous Belmond Charleston Place,
recommends that planners provide the event
history, what other hotels/destinations are
being considered, and key motivations beyond
the technicalities of pricing and availability. He also
says that it can be very helpful to specify “must
have” and “would like to have.” Plus, since all
concessions cost, let the hotel know if the requested
concessions or the better rate are more important
to the group.
Tim Ryan, Vice President of Global Business
Development for the remarkable Pebble Beach
Resorts in California, recommends telling the resort
or hotel why this program is important to your
organization.
•Be realistic about your rates. If you cannot pay above $200, do not send your RFP to New York City during peak season. Instead, consider the surrounding area or an alternative destination.
•Provide the group’s room rate range at the top of your RFP (based on your group’s history).
•Let the hotel know if the group will provide ancillary revenue (golf tournament, spa, F&B functions, additional on-site events, etc.).
•Let the hotel know if you can sign a contract quickly, which is a major advantage.
Finally, let your Global Sales Organization (GSO)
professional be your advocate for your RFP. Their
relationship with their hotel counterparts enables
them to promptly present your RFP with comment,
directly to the right person, ensuring the proper
attention and fullest considerations for a positive and
very timely response.
Ryan also suggests that planners “share the profile
of your attendees and their potential to place
business on their own.”
Chris Kandziora, Director of Sales & Marketing for
Southern California’s incredible Ojai Valley Inn &
Spa, suggests “the best way a planner can have their
RFP stand out is to note the buying needs in a simple
format for sales professionals and their team to
understand, and then appropriately respond to.”
A ss o c i a t e d L u x u r y H o t e ls i n t e r n a t i o n al
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Miami, Florida
Featured ALHI Members
LOEWS Miami Beach hotel
Timeless Style. Refreshing Spaces.
At Loews Miami Beach Hotel, your group gets the flavor of South Beach in an elegant, comfortable atmosphere.
From ballrooms to boardrooms, breakouts and poolside SOAK Cabanas, refreshing spaces let attendees reconnect,
while staying connected with complimentary WiFi. The 790 cosmopolitan accommodations include 69 suites and
four Presidential Suites. 65,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space accommodate events from 10 to 2,700.
Fast Facts
• Located in the heart of South Beach
• Steps away from the famous Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive
• Direct beach access
• Minutes away from attractions including museums, parks and more
• Dedicated LINC Team to cater to all group needs and meeting requests
• Loews Miami Beach Hotels’ Lure Fishbar named “Best Seafood Restaurant” in 2014 by Miami New Times
• AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning property
• A FedEx business center is located on property, open 7 days a week
• The resort’s exhale Spa offers a variety of spa therapies, Core Fusion fitness classes and acupuncture
• Located 20 minutes from Miami International Airport and 40 minutes from Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• VIP Meetings Concierge Service
• 7 distinct restaurants and lounges located throughout the hotel
ALHI Luxury on Sale
TM
Miami Beach Hotel!
Select key dates in 2015 and take advantage of our complimentary internet Meetings offer,
including guestroom WiFi. Add a complimentary one hour reception and plan a diverse agenda,
all in the heart of South Beach.
For more information on Loews Miami visit ALHI.com/LoewsMiamiBeach
3
Featured ALHI Member
las vegas, Nevada
Bellagio
There is only one Bellagio.
Situated in the center of the Las Vegas Strip, the AAA Five-Diamond Bellagio is a European-inspired masterpiece.
For meetings and events, Bellagio offers 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, including elegant yet highly
functional meeting rooms – and the first exhibition kitchen in Las Vegas, Tuscany Kitchen®. The lush Conservatory
& Botanical Gardens, Cirque du Soleil ®’s stunning performance of “O™,” intimate wedding chapels, a luxurious
spa and salon, dynamic nightlife, and an elegant casino add to the symphony that is Bellagio.
Testimonials
Bellagio and the MGM Resorts family set the bar.
In my opinion, they are the platinum standard of
experiences from service. It begins with service
in the tourism and hotel industries in particular,
and that service is something I believe is culturebased. You either have it as a culture, from the
CEO all the way down to the newest hire behind
the scenes, and everybody in between, or you
don’t. Whether it’s housekeeping, the wait staff,
dealers, bell staff, or the chef, and the culinary
team, the Bellagio has done a phenomenal job
over many years of differentiating themselves
based upon their service.
Robert (Bob) Weidner, III
President
Metals Service Center Institute
Fast Facts
•AAA Five-Diamond Award winner
•200,000 sq. ft. of dedicated conference space
•Chairman’s Lounge featuring private check-in
•Tuscany Kitchen®, Las Vegas’ first exhibition kitchen of its kind
•19 dining choices, including two AAA Five-Diamond restaurants, Picasso and Le Cirque, and
Bellagio’s newest masterpiece, Lago by Julian Serrano
•Dynamic nightlife with five lounges and two nightclubs
•An unprecedented wine program featuring two Master Sommeliers
•65,000-sq.-ft. award-winning Spa and Salon
•Five distinctive pools and courtyards
•“O™” by Cirque du Soleil® with available private VIP Suites
•Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
•Via Bellagio, a collection of upscale boutiques
•Magnificent performances by the Fountains of Bellagio™
ALHI Luxury on Sale
TM
There has never been a better time to host meetings at the AAA Five-Diamond Bellagio.
You can now book convention business on the weekends.
For more information on Bellagio, visit ALHI.com/Bellagio
4
OjAi, California
Featured ALHI Members
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Accessible Seclusion and State-of-the-Art Technology
Set on 220 oak-studded acres, the legendary Five-Diamond Ojai Valley Inn & Spa features 308 graciously appointed
guest rooms that evoke a feeling of California’s rich history. An abundance of activities and specialty venues in
addition to a new adult luxury pool experience and signature fine dining restaurant are part of what makes the
resort a premier destination for naturally inspired meeting and incentives. The Inn’s conference center showcases
35,000 square feet of meetings and function space of unparalleled beauty and state-of-the-art functionality.
Two ballrooms and beautiful indoor and outdoor function spaces resemble a Spanish village with red tile roofs and
decorative cupolas, white hand-troweled walls accented by elegant quatrefoil windows, carved wood pergolas,
and an outdoor saltillo-tiled paseo with fountains and fireplaces. In addition to the physical meeting space, the Inn
is an attractive option for those seeking a myriad of team-building activities.
Fast Facts
• Complimentary high-speed WiFi in guest rooms and public areas
• AAA Five-Diamond Award winner, Condé Nast Traveler Gold List resort, Travel + Leisure Top 100 Resorts in the World and recipient of Meetings & Conventions’ coveted Gold Key Award
• 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space including 16,000-sq.-ft. business center with
state-of-the-art audiovisual and high-speed Internet access, 4,800-sq.-ft. and 6,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms, and 11,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor pre-function space
• World-class Executive Boardroom, five meeting rooms and 13 breakout rooms
• George C. Thomas Jr.-designed 18-hole championship golf course
• Seven dining options serving cuisine inspired by the bounty of Ojai, including new signature fine dining restaurant, Olivella
• 31,000-sq.-ft. award-winning Spa Ojai featuring Mind & Body Center and 28 treatment areas
• Four pools, including new adult luxury experience, Indigo Pool & Bar, Artist Cottage & Apothecary, and a full-service tennis center with four hard courts
• Off-property excursions include guided hiking, bird watching tours, artist studio tours, jeep tours, ocean and lake fishing, surfing and kayak lessons in the Pacific Ocean or nearby Lake Casitas.
• Located in the charming historic Spanish-style town of Ojai, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, 35 miles south of Santa
Barbara and 73 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
ALHI Luxury on Sale
TM
Plan your 2016-2018 meeting now and enjoy
exclusive benefits such as:
•Group rates from $259
•Attendee resort credit per stay
•Resort paid group transportation credit
•One complimentary spa treatment for every
10 treatments booked
•Complimentary high-speed Wi Fi in
meeting space
•Welcome gift bag with local Ojai flavors
•A private group cooking experience with Chef
•Complimentary turndown gift
•Complimentary airport transfers
•Morning or afternoon wellness break
•One complimentary guest room per 30 actualized
•One complimentary suite upgrade for every
20 rooms booked
For more information on Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, visit ALHI.com/OjaiValleyInn
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Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Ponte Vedra Inn
& Club
Belmond
Charleston Place
The Oceanfront Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is nestled in the picturesque seaside
village of Ponte Vedra Beach, just 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Florida.
Since its historic opening in 1928, this AAA Five-Diamond rated resort has
hosted some of the nation’s most influential meetings and conferences.
Accolades such as the Hall-of-Fame Award and the Pinnacle Award attest to
this Florida resort’s favored status among meeting planners.
Located in the heart of the #1 Travel Destination in the U.S., Belmond
Charleston Place is continuously named a top hotel in North America by Condé
Nast Traveler. The hotel hosts newly renovated rooms and suites, awardwinning restaurants, full-service spa, world-famous shops on the lobby level,
and more than 40,000 sq. ft. of event space. The newly renovated Premier
Rooms embrace the historic beauty of Charleston, as well as the innovative
lifestyle of today. Premier Rooms feature rich furnishings and advanced
technology, including one-touch lighting system and impeccable design. The
Club Level, which is also newly renovated, is available by private access only
and is located on the top two floors of the hotel. The Club Lounge includes
an expanded marble bar, cozy banquette that spans an entire wall and
complimentary all-day food and beverage service.
Oceanfront Excellence
Fast Facts
•250 oceanfront and oceanside
guest rooms and suites
•AAA Five-Diamond Service Award
•Each room offers private terrace or patio with water view
•30,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space
•Miles of beautiful, white Atlantic Ocean beaches
•36 holes of championship golf
•Expansive oceanfront fitness center
•Swimming pools
•Full-service spa
•3 delightful restaurants
•24-hour room service
•European-style guest registration
•Full-service concierge
•Multi-lingual staff
•Business center
•Gift shops
ALHI Luxury on Sale
TM
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Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston’s Premier Accommodations
The staff at Belmond Charleston Place is dedicated to customizing meetings
and events of all sizes. Let their genuine Southern hospitality and seasoned
event staff make your next meeting unforgettable.
Fast Facts
•435 guest rooms and suites
•40,000 sq. ft. of scalable meeting and event space
•Full-service Business Center
•Complimentary guest wireless
Special Group Package available. Customized to meet your needs.
Package components could include 3 of the concessions below;
•Golf discount
•Discounted food and beverage for group functions
•One complimentary room night for each 40 room nights utilized
•One (1) complimentary Ocean Suite upgrade
•One VIP welcome amenity
•One complimentary spa service
•10% discount on audiovisual rentals
•Complimentary meeting space
• Luxury accommodations
• Upgrades, discounts and earned comps available
• August rates starting at $195 for select mid-week dates
For more information on Ponte Vedra Inn,
visit ALHI.com/PonteVedraInn
For more information on Belmond Charleston Place,
visit ALHI.com/BelmondCharlestonPlace
ALHI Luxury on Sale
TM
ALHI’s Level 5 Collection
26 Five-Diamond/Star quality hotels
and resorts in some of the most desirable
destinations in the world!
The Resort at Pelican Hill
ALHI’s
Collection
The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club
The crème de la crème of luxury hotels, these remarkable properties have received the highest and most
celebrated honors, including the AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star Awards. Bring your meeting to any
of these acclaimed hotels, and you will deliver your attendees directly into the lap of luxury.
soUth U.s. region:
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)
The Breakers Palm Beach (Palm Beach, FL)
The Cloister at Sea Island (Sea Island, GA)
The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club
(St. Simons, GA)
eAst U.s. region:
Langham Place, Fifth Avenue (New York, NY)
Salamander Resort & Spa (Middleburg, VA)
The Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, WV)
Willard InterContinental (Washington, D.C.)
MiDWest U.s. region:
The American Club Resort (Kohler, WI)
The Langham Chicago (Chicago, IL)
The Peninsula Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Western U.s. region:
ARIA Resort & Casino (Las Vegas, NV)
Bellagio (Las Vegas, NV)
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale, AZ)
Island Hotel Newport Beach (Newport Beach, CA)
Mandarin Oriental (Las Vegas, NV)
Montage Deer Valley (Park City, UT)
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (Ojai, CA)
SkyLofts at MGM Grand (Las Vegas, NV)
The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs, CO)
The Grand America Hotel (Salt Lake City, UT)
The Inn at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach, CA)
The Langham Huntington (Pasadena, CA)
The Lodge at Pebble Beach (Pebble Beach, CA)
The Resort at Pelican Hill (Newport Beach, CA)
The American Club Resort
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach
oUtsiDe of the U.s.:
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach (Cancun, Mexico)
7
Restaurant Briefs
New Culinary Discoveries…
Miami, FL
BLT Prime
Clearwater, FL
The Columbia Restaurant
New York City, NY
The Modern - Bar Room
Check out the beautifully transformed Trump National
Doral Miami, which recently completed a $250 million
resort-wide renovation to establish a new level of
grandeur. While there, experience this wonderful new
restaurant, located on the resort campus. Offering
indoor and outdoor dining with panoramic views of the
famous and picturesque Blue Monster golf course, it
specializes in serving the finest cuts of USDA Prime
Certified Angus beef, as well as impeccably prepared
and memorably delicious seafood dishes. I suggest
starting with the Lobster Cocktail, followed by the
28-Day Dry Aged New York Strip. Enjoy the latter with
your choice of such flavorful sauces as Peppercorn,
Chimichurri, Red Wine, Béarnaise, or three Mustards.
Groups can take advantage of the lovely Verandah for
receptions of up to 150 guests, or two private dining
rooms that can each accommodate 24 guests for a
sit-down dinner, or up to 50 for a reception. This is a
fabulous addition to the Miami dining scene.
A sister establishment to the famed Columbia in Tampa’s
Ybor City -- which has been serving guests since 1905 -this location features a genuinely scenic waterfront setting
on Clearwater Beach’s pristine Sand Key Island. Widely
recognized as the place to go for delicious Spanish/Cuban
cuisine, it features a lovely Mediterranean-style indoor
dining room and a more casual outdoor deck overlooking
the blue waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. I highly
recommend starting with the signature and legendary
1905 Salad, which was even recognized by USA Today
in its list of the “10 great places to make a meal out of a
salad.” The Spanish Bean Soup is another fantastic way to
kick off the meal too. For the main course, you can choose
from the expansive menu of many wonderful entrées
(which includes the popular Original Cuban Sandwich, the
incredible Snapper Alicante, and the tender Filet Mignon
Columbia). Or, enjoy a variety of delightful dishes Tapasstyle. It is easy to see why this restaurant is consistently
voted “Tampa Bay’s Favorite.”
One of my favorite sites in New York City is The
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and another
reason to visit is the adjacent The Modern - Bar
Room restaurant. Providing a casual-yet-elegant
setting with very friendly and attentive service,
it features a vibrant atmosphere with a fun and
festive global crowd. Serving an interesting
variety of dishes, appealing starter choices can
include Tuna Sliders, King Crab Fritters, Broccoli
Soup, and Tarte Flambée. Entrées range from Pork
Tenderloin to Lobster Sausage to the truly tasty
Roasted Salmon. Pair your meal with one of the
superb options from the extensive wine list (which
includes an impressive variety of “wine by the
glass” options). Also, be sure to save room for one
of the tantalizing desserts, such as Caraibe Dark
Chocolate Decadence, Orange Custard, Apple Cider
Doughnuts, or Pineapple Savarin. This is a great
choice after visiting MoMA.
(305) 591-6616
trumphotelcollection.com/miami/
(727) 596-8400
ColumbiaRestaurant.com/Clearwater.asp
(212) 333-1220
themodernnyc.com
Q: What appeals to Millennials for meetings
and conventions?
A: While attendees of all ages are increasingly
attached to their mobile devices, this is even more
true for Millennials, who check their smartphones
43 times per day, according to research by
customer service management firm SDL. So it
is very important to reach the attendees of this
generation through mobile apps, updates on
Twitter and Facebook, and interactive polls during
education sessions. Millennials also are searching
for informative learning experiences that cannot
be found on the Internet with a quick click of a
button, and for “something new” when they travel.
In addition, like other generations they also are
seeking opportunities for networking.
Q: Where does the U.S. rank in terms of the
economic contribution of Travel & Tourism to
the economy?
A: The U.S. will keep its position as the world’s
largest Travel & Tourism economy in 2015,
according to research by the World Travel &
Tourism Council (WTTC). This ranks the U.S. first,
followed by China, Germany, and Japan, when
measured by the economic contribution to the Gross
Domestic Product. In 2014 the Travel & Tourism
8
sector contributed $1,402 billion in GDP and 13.7
million jobs to the U.S. economy. During 2015, the
sector’s contribution to the GDP is forecast to grow
by 3.1% and employment by 1.7%. ALHI’s newest
distinguished
members:
• Loews Regency San Francisco
• Sandals Barbados
Q: Does ALHI have any new “Level 5 Collection”
Member hotels or resorts?
A: Yes! Among ALHI’s newest Members in our global
portfolio -- which also is a new option in ALHI’s
“Level 5 Collection” specialty segment -- is Park City,
Utah’s exceptional Montage Deer Valley. ALHI now
has 27 remarkable “Best of the Best,” crème de la
crème luxury hotels and resorts that have received
the highest and most celebrated honors, including
the Forbes Five-Star and/or AAA Five-Diamond
rating. Ideal for very special programs that deserve
a platform at a hotel or resort that has achieved
these acclaimed honors, the “Level 5 Collection”
notably consists of hotels and resorts that specialize
in hosting meetings and incentive programs. For
more information, contact your ALHI Global Sales
professional, and visit alhi.com/level5.
For nearly 30 years Associated Luxury
Hotels International has provided
Global Sales services for our membership
of over 170 Four- and Five-Diamond hotels
and resorts, and now including
Global Alliance partners with nine luxury
cruise ships and over 100 DMC service
providers in 65 global markets.
Visit ALHI.com and contact your local
ALHI Sales Professional or call our
Luxury Group Desk at 866-303-2544.
Thanks for asking!
David G. Gabri, CEO
ALHI.com