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February 12, 2021 Owner & Franchise Webinars, Management Company Webinars, FMC Weekly Webinars

February 11, 2021 | U.S. & Canada Franchise Management Company Webinar

 
Publication of new Owner & Franchise Communications on mi360 continues to be temporarily suspended. Important information is communicated to owners, franchisees and franchise management companies through other channels including the weekly U.S. & Canada Franchise Update email, Franchise Management Company webinar, and monthly webinar for Marriott Managed Owners in the U.S.

Thank you for joining us on Thursday, February 11 for the U.S. & Canada Franchise Management Company Webinar. If you were unable to join, a recording and PDF of the presentation are now available (EID and password required).

This webinar covered COVID-19 updates and resources, including:

Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management Updates

Topline Trends

  • As vaccine roll-out progresses, consumers are beginning to transition from feeling hesitant to a sense of urgency around receiving the vaccine.

  • Air travel and hotel search trends are mixed compared to two weeks ago.

  • Average search visits were up 3.3% in the last 2 weeks vs. 4 weeks prior.

Marketing Spotlight

  • Monthly Property Marketing Webinars + Office Hours

Property Marketing Webinars (3rd Week of Every Month)

    • Content includes promotional updates, latest on marketing tools and resources, deep dives on various topics, marketing “how-to’s” and time set aside for general Q&A
    • February Webinar
      • Topics: New Marketing Central Resource + Offer Strategy and Execution
      • U.S. Select Brands: Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. ET (Add to Calendar)
      • U.S. Premium & Luxury: Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. ET (Add to Calendar)
      • Canada: Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. ET (Add to Calendar)

Virtual Office Hours for Property Marketing Contacts

    • The intent of these office hours is to provide an open forum for property marketing contacts to ask any marketing related questions; there is no formal presentation.
    • February Office Hours
      • Canada Property Marketing Office Hours – Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. ET (Add to Calendar)
      • U.S. Property Marketing Office Hours – Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. ET (Add to Calendar)

Future webinar and office hour dates will be posted to Marketing Central, distributed to the contacts submitted through the Property Marketing Contact form, and included in the U.S. & Canada Franchise Update.

Marketing Central

  • Self-service marketing resource center designed for the U.S. & Canada property marketing community launching Feb. 16. 
  • Features:
    • Dynamic Search Bar
    • How-To Articles
    • Instructional Videos
    • Global & Brand Marketing Updates
    • Marriott-Approved Vendors
    • Marketing Toolbox
  • Will be accessible via SSO after launch; details to be shared next week.

New Holiday Cluster Codes in MBOP

  • For any packages or rate offers hotels create in support of holidays, the cluster code HOL has been added to the Marriott Bonvoy Offers Platform (MBOP formerly known as NGOP)
  • Holiday periods this code would be applicable for include New Years, Valentine’s Day, Religious holidays, National holidays and December holidays 
  • The official rate offer guidelines for both rates and packages for hotels to use at their discretion are accessible via:

Experiences – Holiday Package

Experiences – Holiday Rate

  • Hotels are encouraged to consider these new cluster codes when they are compiling any holiday, hotel promotions

Demand Capture Offers: Leisure Recovery Offers – Q2/3 Extension

  • Booking Window: extended to July 5, 2021 (was April 11)
  • Stay Window: extended to Labor Day/Sept. 6, 2021 (was June 6)
  • Continued Marketing Support: Email, paid media, Marriott owned channels and PR
  • Extended Offers:
    • Long Term Stay (LTS): five-night minimum for hotels, seven-night minimum for resorts
    • Staycation (ZJL): customized by hotel
    • Stay Longer, Save More (D3Q) – exclusive to resorts, 3 night minimum required
    • Extended Stay (ES7) – exclusive to Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Element
    • Suite Celebrations (HDK) – exclusive to luxury brands (TRC, SR, JW, ED, TLC & W)
    • Community Caregiver – qualified rate for first responders on the front lines of fighting COVID-19 has been extended through June 30, 2021 (was March 31)
  • Hotels should leverage these updates for Q2/3 leisure marketing planning.
    • For properties that signed up in Q1, hotels only need to extend the rates in HPP.
    • Any hotels that didn’t sign up in Q1 are encouraged to opt in via Smartsheet and ensure rates are loaded in HPP.   

OPERA PMS v5.6 Upgrade

  • Quick Refresh

Approximately 460 Marriott properties in North America and CALA (Full Service + MSB, MxM + Franchised) are currently operating on OPERA v5.4, which is no longer being supported by Oracle and requires an upgrade.

  • Key Points
    • March 2020: All hotels completed an Infrastructure Assessment & the upgrade may require a Hardware purchase
    • The costs for the upgrade have been reduced from the original budget guidance
    • Marriott will help spread the payment of these costs through deferred billing
  • Why We’re Here Today
    • Betas, pilots and early adopters have started and/or completed their deployment
    • Full deployment in waves
    • Want to ensure management company leaders are aware of the project

Deployment Overview

  • Deployment will be a continent coordinated rollout:
    • A project team will provide support and no external resources will be required on site
    • The upgrade process will be coordinated by a Marriott Continental team in coordination with a Third-Party Installation Vendor
    • Support available: Marriott Service Portal (ServiceNow)
    • A coordinated team of Subject Matter Experts will be engaging during office hours
    • Use of Land-It for property activities & Operational and IT Checklists During Deployment
  • Available Resources:

Operations Updates

Associate Alert Device: Brand Standard Extension

  • The Associate Alert Device Brand Standard compliance deadline has been extended
  • Hotels may continue to implement during this time, but BSA compliance will not begin until Jan. 1, 2023
  • Installations should proceed in markets where local legislation or contractual requirements mandate the installation of devices in 2021
  • Next Steps
    • Hotels will be invited to select one of the preferred vendors and participate in the coordinated deployment by purchasing via Talent Point by Marriott.
    • Hotels will also have the option to select any other vendor that meets or exceeds the brand standard requirements.
  • Resources

Electrostatic Sprayers

  • On Feb. 3, a voluntary recall was issued for lithium batteries utilized by the green Victory and white Protexus electrostatic sprayers. The following details were shared via an Operations Alert on Feb. 10.
  • Out of an abundance of caution, hotels that have not already done so should immediately stop using electrostatic sprayers, refrain from charging batteries and follow the steps below to obtain new batteries. If your batteries are not one of the affected models listed below, or you have received and installed replacement batteries, use of the sprayers can continue as outlined in the Commitment to Clean protocols.
  • ACTION REQUIRED FOR ALL HOTELS: EVALUATE BATTERIES AND TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS
    Complete the steps below to determine if a battery is impacted, order a replacement and ensure cleanliness protocols are maintained during the interim process.
  • If you do not have any of the impacted batteries in your hotel, no further action is required. 
  1. IDENTIFY AFFECTED BATTERIES

Check the model number on the label located on the back of the battery and review vendor specific recall details (Victory | Protexus). Affected battery model numbers include: VP-20A​; VP-20B; PX20A; and PX20B.

  1. MAINTAIN CLEANLINESS PROTOCOLS

Hotels with affected batteries should manually clean and disinfect the areas where sprayers were used with a cleaning cloth and an approved N-list chemical until the battery has been replaced. Affected batteries should also be removed and stored in a dry location until they have been replaced as proof of ownership may be required to receive a replacement.  Do not attempt to recharge batteries.

  1. ORDER REPLACEMENT BATTERIES

Follow the steps below based on how you purchased your sprayer.

Hotels that purchased sprayer from the North America contracted vendor (CSG):

Hotels that purchased sprayer from
a different vendor:

No action required. CSG will automatically distribute replacement batteries.

Complete the form: (Victory | Protexus); or

Contact Victory Innovations directly:

Phone: 888-674-2482
Email: ES-Sprayerbatteryrecall@stericycle.com

·Once the replacement batteries have been received and installed, hotels can continue the use of the electrostatic sprayer as outlined in the Commitment to Clean protocols.

·Affected batteries should be disposed of in accordance with local laws for disposal of lithium-ion batteries.

Key Actions

U.S. & Canada Franchise Update | February 11, 2021

Review TMC Incentive Program Details; Opt Out by Feb. 26 If Desired

​​Marriott has distribution and marketing agreements with select TMC/Consortia that include a customized incentive program to further increase qualifying room-night revenue at public best available rates. Eligible hotels that elect to participate in the TMC/Consortia Incentive Program will pay a quarterly amount to the participating TMC/Consortia provided qualifying revenue exceeds a defined incremental growth target. Hotel-specific targets can be viewed on the MRDW Segmentation Report #SEG22 – TMC Incremental Growth Incentive Targets. Hotels that opened in 2020 are not eligible to participate. Hotels wishing to opt out of the program may do so via the Program Response Portal in iFast by Feb. 26. 

Key Dates, Deadlines & Reminders

Date

Details

Link

Feb. 16 & 17

February Marketing Educational Webinar for Property Marketing Contacts on Feb. 16 & 17
Join the appropriate regional/brand Teams Live Event using the links below to learn more about a new self-service marketing tool as well as offer strategy and execution. No pre-registration required and webinars will be recorded and published to the Field Marketing Resource Center for those unable to attend. 

•U.S. MSB: Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar)

•Canada: Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar)

•U.S. Premium & Luxury: Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar)

Note: The ‘Add to Calendar’ option may not work in all browsers; if the invite does not open, try a different browser.

  

Feb. 18

QuickGroup Webinar Available on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. ET
​The webinar (Join | Add to Calendar) will provide an overview of QuickGroup, a direct, digital instant booking channel on Marriott.com that allows small groups and meetings to book at participating hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Registration is not required; the webinar will be recorded and posted on MGS.

MGS

Feb. 19

Deadline for Entering Year End 2020 Information In MESH/SRO is Feb. 19
​Data from MESH and the SRO Tracker is fed directly into EPIC and MarRFP to answer sustainability questions during the RFP season. If fields are incomplete in EPIC, customers will not receive accurate information and there is the potential of properties being declined from preferred meetings, events and transient programs. MESH can also help properties understand their utility usage and identify opportunities to cut costs. Ensure all year-end 2020 energy, water and waste data and all sustainability initiatives (e.g., food & beverage, housekeeping) are up-to-date and complete in MESH and the SRO Tracker so this information can be pulled into EPIC. This will be the final opportunity to enter year-end 2020 sustainability information before the SRO Tracker is temporarily shut down for updates.

MGS

Feb. 22 & 23

Property Marketing Contact Office Hours Available Beginning Feb. 22 & 23
These virtual sessions will provide an open forum for property marketing contacts to ask questions. Use the links below to add the appropriate regional/brand series to your calendar; no pre-registration required.  

Canada: Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. ET (Join | Add to calendar)

U.S.: Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. ET (Join | Add to calendar)

Note: The ‘Add to Calendar’ option may not work in all browsers; if the invite does not open, try a different browser.

  

Feb. 22 & 23

Q1 GM Brand Webinars Scheduled for Feb. 22 & 23 
Use the links below to join the appropriate brand webinar; registration is not required. The sessions will be recorded and posted on the brand MGS pages.

•AC Hotels: Feb. 22 at 1:00 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar)

•Aloft: Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar)

•Element Hotels: Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar) 

•Moxy: Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. ET (Join | Add to Calendar) 

  

Feb. 24

Register 2021 FMC Quarterly RM Call for Above Property Leaders

The Revenue Management Field Support and Owner & Franchise Services organizations will continue to partner by hosting a quarterly webinar series to share new initiatives, process changes, and tools available to the Revenue Management franchise community. The intended audience is franchised Revenue Management above-property leaders. Register for the Q1 2021 webinar, taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

  

Feb. 28

Priceline® Sponsored Ads Available in PLUS Platform; 30% Match Available until Feb. 28
​Priceline® Sponsored Ads will increase a property’s visibility on Priceline.com, helping to accelerate bookings and drive revenue for hotels. Bid & budget automaton is available via the PLUS Platform, simplifying activation and management of this new channel. Priceline is offering a 30% match on sponsored ad funds deposited through the PLUS Platform until Feb. 28. Review the brochure for details.

MGS

Feb. 28

February Self-Audit Now Available; Due by Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. ET
If you cannot access the site or if you need to modify your access to reflect a different property, use the QA Site Access Guide to submit an access request. It can take several days for access to be approved and reflected on the QA site.

  

March 1

Review Options to Prepare for Hotel Website (HWS) Legacy Modules Sunset 
HWS Legacy Modules will sunset on April 1, 2021. Any content not migrated to another HWS product will be permanently erased. Legacy Module owners can migrate to a Discovery Pages product before March 1, 2021; or, take no action and incur a $75 pro-rated 2021 annual hosting fee. Visit the MDS Client Community and click “My Programs & Services” or “Active Programs” to see all products associated with a hotel. To retire your Legacy Module, click on the Project Name and navigate to the Cancellation tab. For questions, contact HWSModules@marriott.com.
 
Discovery Pages (formerly ‘Modules Accelerated’) offer branded extensions to hotel websites that display property specific content and offerings. Visit MGS to learn more about the Discovery Pages product levels, new product elements and how to enroll. 

  

Ongoing – June 24

2021 Leisure Recovery Offers Extended; Now bookable through July 5
Refer to the survey for a list of recommended offers and respective rate codes. If you are opting in for the first time, Topline Teams should ensure rates are loaded in HPP.  If your hotel previously opted in, confirm your set up in HPP is correct. Current offers are now bookable through July 5 with stay dates through September 6, 2021 and will be supported by email marketing, paid social media, placement on marriott.com and public relations support at no additional cost. Hotels can use the opt-in survey through June 24.  Submissions made before Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET will be added to marketing channels each Thursday throughout the booking window.  

  

Please also note the following resources: