Get Inside the Mind of the Meeting Planner

Get inside the mind of the meeting planner.Five things hoteliers should know to score big with planners.

© MAGNANI CONTINUUM MARKETING • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • MAGNANI.COM

Who we are.• Fully integrated brand development

and marketing agency• Founded in 1985• Experience with B2B and B2C clients across

multiple industries, including the hospitality, insurance, healthcare and industrial sectors

• Extensive travel and hospitality experience including:• More than 100 full-service

hotels and resorts• Dining cruises• Restaurants• Luxury rail service


Shocking news:

This market is complex.• Continued economic rebound• Increased competitive landscape filled

with more hotels and new brands • Shrinking meeting size despite growing

number of hosted meetings• New business habits and attendees

altering the meeting experience• Continued focus on Millennials


• One two-hour focus group• Nine meeting planners• Moderation by MCM Research• Pre-screened participants for:

• Those responsible for booking national corporate or association meetings

• Those responsible for booking meetings of 200+ room nights peak

• Final decision-makers or strong influencers on meeting location

What we did.


Our Findings


• Build some flexibility into your contract.• Be up front and honest.• Keep the conversation going from pre- through post-meeting.

Make the meeting planning

experience a partnership.

1


The GM sets the

tone for the meeting.

2

• The meeting planner expects to meet the GM during the planning process.• A strong GM instills confidence in the planner.• If the GM isn’t in control, the planner will book elsewhere.


Give meeting planners

what they need.

3

• It’s all about ROI and budget. Help the planner meet these goals, and you’ll be rewarded.• Discounts or deals on core items (i.e. WiFi and coffee breaks)

are more meaningful than extras like room upgrades and wine hours.• Offer something unexpected that makes them the hero to their bosses and attendees.


Show meeting planners

what you can do.

4

• Work with them to create their event. Help them visualize their ideal event in your space.• Make it easy to find hotel photos, capacity charts, diagrams and room details.• Provide examples of past setups and capabilities. Photos are best.


Share your

knowledge of Millennials.

5

• Meeting planners are still learning how to engage Millennials. Show them what has worked for you.

• Millennials like to be connected. Show them how to integrate “tech breaks” into events.• Provide options for apps and social media during events.

For more information,

check us out.

Magnani.com/knows/hospitalityTwitter @Magnani_Dot_Com Facebook facebook.com/MagnaniContinuumMarketingLinkedIn linkedin.com/company/magnani-continuum-marketing

Travel

Get Inside the Mind of the Meeting Planner