Interview with Tom Faust, Vice President of Sales and Distribution, Omni Hotels
March 2008
Give Me 5
A 30-year industry veteran, Tom Faust joined Omni Hotels nearly a year ago as vice president of sales and distribution.
He has a broad range of experience with several national brands, including Hilton, Wyndham, Sheraton and Stouffer Hotels. Most recently he was with the Anatole Hotel in Dallas as director of sales and marketing. (omnihotels.com)
Q: What’s ahead for Omni in the next few years?
A: We are adding more inventory. [In the West] we’re adding Pontoque, near Puerto Vallarta. We’ve acquired the land and are in the process of developing a high-end resort/residential component. The specifics are yet to be determined; we want to find the right fit, determine the appropriate market for that destination. Tucson is an exciting one for us: the Omni Tucson National Resort is undergoing a $70-million renovation, to be completed in 2009. The scope will be all-encompassing; a small portion of the hotel is open now.
Q: What is your take on current trends, such as new technology?
A: Omni Hotels guests can now check in online on our website up to 48 hours in advance of their arrival. You can simply respond to an e-mail alert, and when you get there, you’re not just pre-reserved, you’re physically checked in. People have e-mail access on their PDA or phone, and whether they’re sitting on a runway before their flight, or after they land, they can check-in.
Q: What about the impact of Gen X and Gen Y on meetings?
A: That’s a popular topic—there’s a lot of talk about what Gen X and Gen Y are looking for, in terms of meeting space and the meeting experience, but we’re not hearing a lot about what the industry is doing.
At Omni, this becomes an extension of our Sensational Meetings program. [The program] is a collaboration between hotels and meeting planners, to satisfy the objectives of their meeting. It’s about customizing the lighting, decor, tactile elements, visuals, temperature, music, food—all the sensory components to reach that goal. It’s how attendees view a meeting visually, what they want to eat—all the sensory applications for different generations. It could mean, instead of talking floral and linens, maybe it’s the room design; maybe it’s not appropriate to set it up theater style, maybe something else works better. It’s not about themed meetings. It’s about customizing the environment to drive success. C.K.
Tom Faust, Vice President of Sales and Distribution, Omni Hotels
