Hilton Hotel

As many in the meetings industry predicted, Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced today that it will follow Marriott International in cutting commissions to third-party planners.

The company released a statement saying that the base group sales commission rate will be reduced from 10 percent to 7 percent for booking into “participating hotels” in the United States and Canada, effective October 1. It referenced “growing group distribution costs and the complexity of intermediary services.”

The statement, from Danny Hughes, Hilton senior vice president and commercial director for the Americas, said, “At Hilton, we recognize the important and integral role group intermediaries play in our meetings and events business, and we are proud to partner with a wide network of travel professionals to create meaningful experiences for our guests. At the same time, we also have to balance the needs of all parties, and we therefore continually review our sales and distribution strategies to ensure we are offering the best value for our customers, hotels and owners.”

A follow-up query about whether Hilton would continue to pay large third-party sourcing companies at the old rate based on established contracts (as Marriott did with HelmsBriscoe, HPN Global and ConferenceDirect), received this response:

“At this time, the updated group commission rate structure applies to all new group business at participating hotels in the U.S. and Canada beginning October 1, 2018. Like any company, Hilton may have strategic partnerships and agreements with certain organizations, the details of which are confidential. Hilton continually reviews its sales and distribution strategies to ensure we are offering the best value for our customers, hotels and owners.”

David Bruce, founder of the independent planner group Meeting Planners Unite and managing partner of Dallas-based CMP Meeting Services, said he was surprised only by the timing. He guessed the second-largest hotel chain might wait to see if it would capture extra business after Marriott’s cut goes into effect April 1. He called the decision “an opportunity for some hotel brands to gain business and attract companies that haven’t visited them before.” Now, he acknowledged, “We are probably moving toward a new model whether we like it or not.”

He predicted that InterContinental Hotels Group could make a similar announcement as early as Monday.

Through Meeting Planners Unite, Bruce is looking for ways to develop new revenue streams for independents. One avenue could be via finder’s fees from nonhotel suppliers such as audiovisual, decorating, exhibit and transportation companies—and perhaps even destinations. “We will have to look at all angles to see where we can make a profit while still serving the needs of our clients,” he said. “We need to find a way to make up the three percent, so we can keep our doors open.”

Whether for comfort or company, four-legged friends are a constant companion for many attendees. Here are six pet-friendly properties sure to appeal to those who endeavor to have their dogs by their side whenever possible.

Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel, Huntington Beach, California

Pampered pooches are a top priority at this oceanfront property. In fact, the hotel invites you to “bring your furry, feathery or scaly family member,” at no extra charge, no matter their weight, size or breed. The property is also in close proximity to Huntington Dog Beach, so your pup most definitely won’t have any bones to pick with you.

The Roxy Hotel, New York City

If the in-room goldfish option at The Roxy Hotel in Tribeca, New York City, doesn’t cut it, your four-legged-friend is very welcome to join you instead. Upon request, the hotel will provide organic treats from Bocce’s Bakery, along with bedding, food, water bowls and doggie bags. In addition, the dog park at the hotel’s sister property, The Soho Grand, is available to all The Roxy Hotel’s guests.

Viceroy Snowmass, Colorado

A mere six-miles from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), in Colorado, Viceroy Snowmass welcomes dogs under 100 lbs., if fully house-trained. Upon arrival, your dog will receive a goody bag containing a leash, doggie bags, Viceroy bandana and 5-oz. treat. In-room, the hotel provides a dog bed, as well as food and water bowls.

Park Hyatt Chicago

As well as providing beds, bowls and treats, the $100 per-day pet fee is donated entirely to the city’s largest no-kill animal shelter, PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving). Now that’s sure to give you PAWS-for-thought!

The Jefferson Hotel, Washington D.C.

At historic property, The Jefferson Hotel, your pooch will be welcomed by Executive Canine Officer Monti, and the rest of the hotel’s concierge staff, who are on hand to share their knowledge of local dog walking routes and nearby pet-friendly spots.

The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville

The Pampered Paws Program at The Hermitage Hotel includes an in-room pet dining menu, bottled spring water, nightly pet turndown service and an on-call pet masseuse. Need we say more?

Air Canada and WestJet have announced that both airlines will be expanding this spring and summer.

WestJet has increased its frequency of flights from Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Its greatest increase is out of Vancouver International Airport, which will see an increase of 60 more flights weekly, from 88 to 112.

Service to Edmonton will increase from 50 to 59 flights weekly, Kelowna from 40 to 49, Ottawa from seven to 14 and Fort St. John from six to 12. There will also be increases in flights to Regina, Victoria, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

New routes from WestJet include a daily flight from Halifax to London (Gatwick) beginning April 29, Calgary to Whitehorse four times a week from June 29 to September 2 and a daily flight from Prince George to Calgary beginning June 20.

“WestJet is again providing additional service to benefit both the business traveler as well as the leisure guest,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet vice president, network planning, alliances and corporate development, in a press release. “With [these] increases, we will have more than 80 daily departures, and that means increased connectivity as well as convenience.”

Air Canada has also increased their flights, including non-stop domestic flights; flights from Edmonton to Kelowna and Kelowna to Edmonton will be available year-round, while flights from Edmonton to Victoria, Victoria to Edmonton and Calgary to Comox will be available seasonally.

These additions join the non-stop domestic and international flights from Toronto to Omaha, Providence, Nanaimo and Kamloops; Montreal to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Victoria; Edmonton to San Francisco; and Vancouver to Sacramento.

Air Canada will also be launching international services this year from Toronto to Ireland, Portugal, Croatia, Romania and Argentina; Montreal to Japan, Ireland, Romania and Portugal; and Vancouver to Switzerland and France.

“We are pleased to offer new non-stop flights onboard our Bombardier Q400s between popular BC and Alberta cities as we continue to strategically expand our already extensive domestic network,” said Benjamin Smith, president, passenger airlines at Air Canada in a release.

These changes are extremely beneficial to planners. Increases in flights give planners more options for departure times, arrival times and destinations to travel to and from, while non-stop flights allow for total relaxation—say goodbye to worrying about luggage arriving on time or missing a connecting flight.

Central Park in heavy snow

It’s no secret that New York City is a major hub for meetings and events, and it takes a lot to shut the city down. But, sometimes Mother Nature does get in the way and event coordinators must make a tough call. Will the show go on or will it be called off?

As snow pummeled down on the Big Apple yesterday, Hallmark Channel was scheduled to make a presentation for the Upfronts, in which executives and stars would announce new and returning series and movies.

The network thought on their feet and came up with an alternate plan by holding their press conference on Facebook Live. Actresses Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar, along with two execs, bundled up and headed out to Central Park for their impromptu live broadcast using the winter wonderland as their backdrop. As of press time, the video has 101,000 views! They also Tweeted a link to the Facebook video to encourage more people to watch.

“When life gives you Nor’easters—make a NoelEaster!” tweeted Hallmark President and CEO Bill Abbott.

Social media can also be used to reach masses of people when you need to cancel or postpone an event at the last minute. Justin Timberlake was set to perform last night at Madison Square Garden and announced the show’s postponement in a video on Twitter. He had to disappoint fans, but promised to reschedule for a future date. As of press time, the video has been watched 259,000 times.

“So sorry to announce that the show tonight at the Garden has been postponed due to the weather,” the singer said. “Man, I’m bummed, but everybody who has tickets tonight, hold on to your tickets. We will definitely get back to you with a date where we can make it up, so they will still be valid.”

Meeting professionals have a multitude of social media platforms to choose from to get their messaging out in a hurry. How do you choose which one is best for you? Experts suggest using the outlet where you have the most followers and most engagement, so you are likely to have the highest number of people tuning in and receiving your urgent message. There is nothing stopping you from spreading the word on multiple platforms. Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn if you feel that will reach more of your audience. Note: Facebook Live keeps your live video on your wall for people to watch later if they missed the live broadcast. However, live videos on Instagram disappear after 24 hours unless you add them to highlights.

In a move that will vastly enhance the appeal of Arlington, Texas, as a meetings and convention city, the city is planning to build a 100,000-square-foot esports stadium in its Entertainment District.

Through a collaboration with architecture firm Populous, the City of Arlington and Esports Venues, plan to invest $10 million in the new facility, Esports Stadium Arlington, which will be located at Arlington Convention Center. Scheduled to open this fall, it will feature a major competition space, competitive gaming, retail and social spaces, VIP hospitality, a broadcast studio and a team training area.

Ron Price, president and CEO of Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, says the city’s ability to adapt to the emerging esports entertainment market, and readiness to attract tournaments and other high-tech entertainment events, reflects its interest in remaining a thriving tourism destination.

“We are creating the most unique and technologically advanced space available for meetings and conventions in North Texas,” Price said in a press release. “The production capabilities and technological innovations being introduced to the current facility are like nothing the market has seen before.

“Arlington’s ability to deliver an elevated customer experience can only serve to expand the meeting and convention market for the city.”

The new stadium will become the largest and most flexible esports stadium in the country, and is expected to draw competitive players and fans from throughout the world.

“The esports stadium will transform the Arlington Convention Center, and position the city as the epicenter for esports in the heart of North America,” said Brian Mirakian, senior principal at Populous. “Esports fans will encounter a live experience unlike any other, by way of space for up to 1,000 spectators, VIP amenities and year-round event potential.”

Spring is officially here, and with it come food and beverage trends for meeting breaks that will be popping up all over. Here are our best bets on trends you’ll be seeing at a grand ballroom near you this season.

Colorful Plates

Visually appealing, colorful plates will be taking center stage. The aesthetic is perfect for the ‘gram, and the dishes themselves are as tasty as they are beautiful. Plus, many of these dishes incorporate bright fruits and vegetables, allowing you to feel both trendy and healthy.

Outside of the Box Beverages

We’ve had the deliciously overdone milkshakes, unicorn Frappuccinos and La Croix sparkling water, and none of these trends are going away soon. From Starbucks continuing to crank out seasonal drinks to mixing tea flavors for a custom drink, unique beverages’ popularity will be on the rise.

Poke Bowls

They’ve flown under the radar, but poke bowls are sure to be a hit. The use of fresh ingredients will draw anyone looking for a health-food trend that doesn’t sacrifice taste. Pump up the personalization with customizable poke bowls, allowing attendees to mix and match to their heart’s content.

No-Waste Foods

Food waste has been in the media frequently, and for good reason—in 2017, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reported that between 125 and 160 million pounds of food was wasted. Repurposing food will become popular. MGM Resorts International’s hotels are already dedicated to reducing food waste by donating surplus to the food bank Three Square. Ask your supplier about how you can be part of the solution—and never let leftovers go to waste in your own kitchen.

Vegetable-Based Dishes

Who can resist carbs—spaghetti or white rice? But spring will be bringing new alternatives, such as cauliflower rice and zucchini spaghetti. You can eat your favorite meals without feeling guilty about caloric intake.

Gut-Friendly Food

The days of stomach pain could soon be over as gut-friendly food takes over the table. Restaurants have been incorporating probiotic, prebiotic and anti-inflammatory ingredients into their meals. Can’t live without spice? Chefs will mix your heat with savory ingredients to lessen the impact on your stomach

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Todd Ryan, Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants appointed Todd Ryan regional director of sales and marketing for the brand’s 16 hotels in the mid-Atlantic region, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Nashville, North Carolina, Savannah, Georgia and Alexandria, Virginia. In this position, he’ll drive sales, catering and marketing efforts in the area, as well as contribute to digital marketing, advertising and public relations. Ryan is based at Kimpton George Hotel in Washington, D.C., where he’s also the head of the city’s sales team He was area director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Photo Credit; Kimpton

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Nick Ivezaj, Kimpton Hotels

Nick Ivezaj is the new general manager of Kimpton Ink48 Hotel in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City. He oversaw a new Hilton brand called Highgate Hotels and worked as general manager of Hotel Mela Times Square and director of guest services at W Times Square.

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Mohan Koka, Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants named Mohan Koka as the general manager of Kimpton Surfcomber Miami, South Beach. He will oversee hotel programming and services, marketing and sales, revenue management and employee relations. Koka brings 16 years of experience to the Florida property. He’s worked for Loews Hotels & Resorts, including Loews New Orleans Hotel, where he was general manager.

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Marci Zaworski, Palace Resorts

Palace Resorts has added Marci Zaworski to its team as regional director of sales. She’s tasked with heading up sales initiatives for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) segment in Mexico and Jamaica for Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts. Zaworski began her career in hospitality 25 years ago in New York City.

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Deanna Varga, Discover Los Angeles

Based out of Sydney, Australia, Deanna Varga has taken over the role of Australian and New Zealand MICE representative for Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. She will concentrate on driving meetings to Los Angeles from Down Under. Varga previously worked for Business Events Sydney, Business Events Australia, Accor, Sofitel, Australian National Maritime Museum and China National Convention Centre.

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Brent Stone, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels

Benchmark, a global hospitality company, promoted Brent Stone to director of food and beverage for Snow King Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property in Jackson, Wyoming, where he had been banquet manager. He was previously banquet captain and lead server at Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colorado. Stone also worked in food and beverage at Vail Mountain Resort & Spa, Manor Vail Lodge and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek.

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Brenda Bazan, Houston First

Brenda Bazan’s appointment as president and CEO of Houston First was approved by Houston City Council. She has served as the organization’s chief financial officer since 2011. Bazan has worked for the city of Houston since 1993, holding such positions as director of finance and accounting in the controller’s office and deputy director of the Convention & Entertainment Facilities department.

eco-friendly tips for flying

Air travel is indisputably damaging the environment. The New York Times reports that one round trip from California to New York generates around 20 percent of the greenhouse gas your car will emit during a year. Additionally, the aviation industry is responsible for 11 percent of all U.S. transportation-related emissions.

Working in the meeting and event planning industry demands a lot of travel. And when your destination is far away, you’re left with few transportation options. The good news is that you can be more responsible about air travel and actually make an impact. Here are a few eco-friendly tips to minimize your carbon footprint!

1. Fly Less

Whenever possible try to find an alternative means of transportation. Reserve flights for long-distance trips when this is the more efficient option. Public transportation and ride sharing are ideal for ground travel. Still, driving alone is more eco-friendly than flying a short distance.

2. Book Nonstop

Frequent flyers are probably happy to hear this: When a journey requires more than one flight, it uses extra fuel, even this involves merely a stop on the way to the final destination.

3. Pack Light

The lighter the load, the less fuel consumption and the less ice needed for overnight international flights. Plus, when luggage isn’t heavy, lighter carbon brakes are able to replace high-capacity steel brakes.

4. Select a Newer Plane

Typically, a newer aircraft is more fuel-efficient. Often, they are provided by younger airlines, such as Virgin America. However some airlines, such as American Airlines, are also rolling out new aircraft models. Just make sure you look into the specific aircraft listed when purchasing a ticket.

5. Choose the Fuller Flight

It might be tempting to opt for a plane with fewer people. But the more eco-friendly choice is one where the majority of seats are filled. Full capacity means prime efficiency. If everyone began booking this way, flights could easily be reduced.

6. Fly in Coach

Those who favor the extra comfort provided by business class or first class should evaluate their environmental impact. According to a World Bank study, the emission level attributed to flying in business class is around three times that of flying in coach. Meanwhile, the number is potentially nine times higher for first class. Chairs in business class and first class are also larger, meaning less people can fit on the plane. Therefore, more fuel is wasted.

7. Lower Shades, Open Vents

When flight attendants instruct you to lower shades and open vents, it’s not just for your well-being. This precaution actually helps conserve energy.

“When all passengers help out and do this, the aircraft can be 10 degrees cooler. Reducing the cooling load saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” said Delta Air Lines representative Ashton Morrow to Travel & Leisure.

8. Measure, Off-Set and Compare Emissions

Many airline websites, such as Delta and United, allow travelers to calculate the carbon footprint of their trip. The measurement can be converted into a dollar value, encouraging donations to carbon reduction projects. Additionally, a lot of public information ranks airlines and reveals the efficiency of their systems.

Offering your loyalty to these airlines has a great potential to influence the others to follow suit. For those who want to get down to specifics, the Google software Matrix measures and compares carbon emissions for more eco-friendly awareness.

saltwater pools to dive for

Saltwater pools are becoming increasingly common at luxury hotels and on cruise ships. Saltwater swimming pools contain a tiny fraction of the salt in seawater—3,000 to 5,000 parts per million, compared to 35,000 parts per million in the ocean.

For many swimmers in saltwater pools, that translates to no red, itchy eyes, lung irritation or the asthma-like symptoms often associated with pools with typical chemical chlorine systems. There’s no harsh chemical smell, either, and your swimwear won’t get “eaten up.”

For hotels and ships, maintenance is easier and cheaper. A process called electrolysis converts salt to hypochlorous acid, providing a continuous, just-enough supply of natural chlorine to kill bacteria in the water.

“When guests enter our low-lit Shio Salt room, they can choose one of our sound chairs,” says Stephanie Doud, director of The Spa at Aria. “These chairs create an acoustic reverberation, giving an overall feeling of relaxation and recovery. Slow, deep inhalation while in the room soothes the body, and will not only cleanse the air passageways, but also helps to fight internal bacteria. We recommend spending 25 to 30 minutes enjoying the benefits.” Shio Salt room cannot be booked as a separate therapy, but is available to all guests as part of their spa experience.

Homeowners are diving into the salty trend, too. According to Pool & Spa News, three out of every four new in-ground pools are now saltwater. Of the nation’s estimated 5.1 million in-ground residential pools, about 1.4 million are saltwater.

5 Heavenly Pools for a (Slightly) Salty Dip

California ranks as America’s No. 1 pool state, with more than 1.22 million in-ground residential pools and about 12,000 new pools installed each year. Here are some great choices for saltwater hotel pools in the state.

Terranea, Rancho Palos Verdes: Vista Pool has killer views of the mother of all saltwater, the Pacific Ocean.

Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego: Sitting prettily in the garden spa garden, this heated pool boasts private casitas, and a saline waterfall whirlpool is nearby.

Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, Rancho Santa Fe: After an invigorating horseback gallop over this resort’s 45 acres, the main pool is the perfect chiller.

Montage Beverly Hills:  Cabana packages at this serene oasis overlooking Rodeo Drive can include massages, plush robes and chocolate-dipped strawberries with bubbly.

Bacara Resort & Spa, Santa Barbara: Both pools at this oceanfront, Mediterranean-style resort have saltwater systems, and afford awesome ocean views.

 

Read more about the benefits of salt online and in the August 2017 issue of Smart Meetings.

If you’ve booked a hotel room online since 2015, you may have paid too much. That’s the claim of a class-action lawsuit filed today against six major hotel chains for an alleged antitrust scheme.

The lawsuit alleges that Choice Hotels, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott and Wyndham—and their subsidiary brands—had an anti-competitive agreement from 2015 to 2017 not to use online, branded keyword-search advertising against each other. Attorneys for Hagens Berman, the consumer-rights class-action law firm that filed the suit, estimate the scheme affected millions of people, costing them billions of dollars collectively.

Approximately 60 percent of all hotel room inventory in the United States is involved in the lawsuit, including:

  • Choice Hotels International – Comfort Inn, Comfort Inn Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn and all other Choice Hotels International-branded hotels
  • Hilton – Hampton Inn, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Waldorf Astoria and all other Hilton-branded hotels
  • Hyatt – Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and all other Hyatt-branded hotels
  • InterContinental – Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites and all other InterContinental-branded hotels
  • Marriott – Sheraton, Starwood, Ritz-Carlton, Residence Inn and all other Marriott-branded hotels
  • Wyndham – Travelodge, Super 8, Knights Inn, Ramada, Days Inn, Howard Johnson’s and all other Wyndham-branded hotels

“Instead of honest competition, these hotel chains chose to cheat the system and deceive their customers,” says Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman, in a press release. “We believe consumers deserve payback from defendants for their deceptive advertising practices.”

A Marriott spokesperson reached on Monday said, “We are reviewing the complaint now.  At this time we have no further comment.”

The Hotel Overpricing Scheme

The lawsuit states that each hotel defendant agreed not to use certain online advertising methods to compete for consumers. The agreement prevented competitors from bidding for online advertising that uses competitors’ brand names. In a press release announcing the suit, Hagens Berman cited the example of Hilton Hotels & Resorts declining to bid on keywords that would allow its ads to appear in response to internet searches for Hyatt Hotels.

This made it more difficult for consumers to get information about competing hotels, according to the press release, and to compare and contrast competitive information, such as price and quality.

“This leaves hotel chains with free reign to keep prices high, with no threat of consumers seeing competing ads,” the press release states.

The lawsuit alleges that these hotel companies also pressured online travel agencies (such as Priceline and Expedia) to keep them from bidding on branded keywords as well, making it less likely consumers would see the choices available on those online travel agency websites.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. It seeks reimbursement for consumers who paid high prices for hotel rooms and an injunction from the court to force the hotel chains to end “deceptive marketing practices.”