Hotels Leverage Online Advertising to Capture Meeting Planner Audience
Cvent, the emerging leader in group business lead channels for hotels and the premier provider of event management, site selection and sourcing solutions for meeting and event planners has established a strategic marketing partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Starwood Hotels secured preferred placement on the Cvent Supplier Network in order to increase exposure to thousands of qualified meeting and event planners who use the Cvent Supplier Network electronic RFP tool. Starwood has preferred positioning in major markets throughout the United States on the Cvent Supplier Network and throughout the Cvent Destination Guide, the most comprehensive informational resource for meeting and event planners. Unlike other group business channels, the Cvent Supplier Network electronic RFPs are well qualified and targeted. On average, a Cvent RFP is sent to only 9 properties, giving Starwood properties a chance to earn consistent and unique group business with Cvent's audience of meeting planners.
"Hotels are more selective about how they deploy marketing dollars in today's economy. An online channel like the Cvent Supplier Network offers hotels cost-effective marketing options and a true return on investment. The average contract value for Cvent Supplier Network electronic RFPs is $68,000 and hotels can establish direct contact with qualified meeting planners who are using the Cvent Supplier Network when they are ready to buy," says Bharet Malhotra, Cvent Vice President of Sales. "We are pleased to partner with Starwood and to provide our meeting planners with direct access to Starwood properties during the sourcing process."
Starwood established the partnership with Cvent to generate quality lead flow for its Sheraton and Westin brands. "The group business lead quality from the Cvent Supplier Network speaks for itself. Over the past 120 days, Cvent Supplier Network meeting planners have booked over 10,000 sleeping rooms at Starwood properties. That was a key driver in our decision to enhance our partnership with the Cvent Supplier Network, said Brian Povinelli, Vice President Brand Management for Sheraton and Westin.
Starwood is also using the Network to promote its 'Value Added Meeting Promotion' one of the best deals in the industry, through the Cvent Supplier Network. This Cvent Supplier Network promotion includes a 4% discount off the master bill and complimentary food and beverage breaks. The meeting planner will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a charitable concert for their community starring Grammy-nominated singer Natasha Bedingfield." All Cvent Supplier Network planners who book meetings before March 31, 2010 will be eligible for this promotion.
