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August 26, 2021 Owner & Franchise Webinars, Management Company Webinars, FMC Weekly Webinars

August 26, 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, August 26 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:

U.S. & Canada Franchise Update | August 26, 2021

Canada Only | ​Reminder: New F&B Outlet Guidelines Take Effect Sept. 1
In addition, Commitment to Clean Canada Protocols (English | French) have been updated to reflect current guidelines within the Meetings + Events Playbook.

U.S. Only | Review Recommended Hotel Guidance for Observing 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Review Updated Cancellation Policy
The global cancellation policy has been updated to allow hotels more flexibility based on their state of recovery. At this time, it is recommended that hotels maintain a 24-hour cancellation policy if their reservation activity has decreased to May levels. If reservations have not fallen to May levels, hotels can return to their pre-Covid cancellation policy.

Complete the Self-Audit by 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 31 Via QA site or QA App
QA Site Access: If you cannot access the site or if you need to modify your access to reflect a different property, submit an access request through Identify Center using this guide. It may take several days for access to be approved and reflected on the QA site.​

Purchase POSReady7 Extended Support by Oct. 1 or Replace System Before End of Life on Oct. 12
To maintain security compliance and avoid loss of service, hotels running the Windows Embedded 6.1 POSReady7 operating system must purchase a one-year Extended Security Update (ESU) activation key for each impacted workstation or replace hardware with certified workstation models by Oct. 12. The deadline for ordering an ESU has been extended to Oct. 1 and the cost has been reduced to $50.70 + applicable taxes. Hotels must be current with Insight to purchase an ESU (U.S. Hotels | Canada Hotels). Hotels planning to replace hardware should place orders by Aug. 28 to ensure workstations can be delivered and installed by Oct. 12. Note: hotels that placed ESU orders by July 12 received a direct email with details on next steps to activate.

Marriott Digital Services (MDS) is Launching New Digital Programs
Hotels currently enrolled with MDS should review their active programs on My Programs & Services and plan to enroll in a new program prior to the end date to ensure they maintain uninterrupted digital support. Enrollment in the new programs will be via the MDS Client Community beginning Sept. 1. Two 45-minute webinars will be offered on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. ET (Register) and Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. ET (Register) to provide additional information on the new programs. Hotels currently not enrolled in an MDS program have the opportunity to join these calls or attend future calls as needed. 

Sales, Marketing, & Revenue Management Update

Travel Trends

  1. Business travel spend continues to be down compared to 2019 levels.

  2. There is a desire for ongoing flexibility with in-person vs. remote work.

  3. Industry-wide on-the-books room nights and occupancy improved in some markets.

Topline Trends – Canada

  • More than half (56%) of respondents believe there are COVID-19 related barriers impacting travel to Canada (just 21% think the majority of restrictions have been lifted in Canada and 27% believe the majority of Canadians have been vaccinated).
  • Despite barriers, 52% believe Canada is safe to visit.
  • 46% believe Canada is easy to visit.
  • Overall, those with higher household income ($100k+), living in Northeast, under 35, with kids have a more positive perception of safety and ease of travel to Canada and are more likely to perceive most Canadians are vaccinated and the majority of COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Updated Letter of Intent (LOI) Thresholds

  • ​Hotels engaging with Group Sales have the option to use LOIs for business opportunities.
  • During the pandemic, LOI threshold levels were increased while guidelines and processes remained the same.
  • Effective Sept. 6, we are reverting to pre-pandemic thresholds of $20,000 USD (U.S.) and $10,000 CAD (Canada).
  • All guidelines and processes remain the same.

Additional details can be found on MGS.

Canada Vaccination Campaign

  • Marriott is supporting Faster, Together and This is Our Shot to promote vaccine acceptance in Canada and help speed a recovery from COVID-19.
  • Marriott has donated 990,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points to support this Canada vaccination campaign with 10 prizes of 99,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each.
  • Canadians that show they have had two doses will be entered to win a prize. No action required from hotels.

RBC + MBE Canada Activation

Campaign Concept: Marriott Bonvoy Escapes (MBE) & Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Flash Sale
Save and earn on a relaxing getaway with Marriott Bonvoy and RBC: Earn 10X RBC Rewards Points and save up to 25% off your hotel stay when booking the Marriott Bonvoy Escapes promotion at participating hotels in Canada.

Objectives:

    • Generate revenues for Canada participating hotels through a limited time offer targeting RBC’s cardmembers with 2x the discretionary spend of the average Canadian and 4x the travel spend.
    • Generate loyalty program enrollments.

Booking Window: Two-week sale: Sept. 15, 2021 to Sept. 29, 2021.

Stay Window: Valid for stays Thursday to Sunday from Sept. 16 to Dec. 31, 2021.

Participation:

    • All Canadian properties invited to participate (SR, TRC excluded).
    • There is no cost or action for hotels to participate in this sale.
    • Franchise hotels that do not wish to participate can opt out of Wave 92 by 3 p.m. ET Sept. 2, 2021 via the Marriott Bonvoy Escapes Solicitation Dashboard.

Marketing Support:

    • RBC travel campaign reaching a minimum if 1.5M cardmembers, including newsletters, RBC offers portal, RBC online banking banners and the RBC mobile app.
    • MBE email to 1.2M Marriott Bonvoy members, English and French.
    • Unique MBOP Marriott Bonvoy Escapes landing page to push all campaign traffic and MBE email, English and French.

Training: Revenue Management

New offerings eligible first-come, first-served:  Revenue Management Skills Training

What?  Foundational 6-8 week virtual course, for revenue management professionals, providing knowledge and skills to support daily, weekly, and monthly inventory management and analysis tasks.  Time commitment averaging 6-8 hours weekly (1-2 virtual instructor-led sessions and pre/post-work spread throughout the week).

Who?  All properties U.S./CAN (managed and franchised); revenue management professionals who actively manage inventory and/or perform revenue analysis for at least 3 months.

Cost?  $450/person.

Pre-requisites?  Completed the learning pathway within the Digital Learning Zone for systems training: MARSHA, One Yield, and High Performance Pricing..

REGISTER NOW IN MHUB – SPACE IS LIMITED – CLASS BEGINS OCT. 5!

COMING SOON…

Rock Your Strategy (pilot in Q4)

What? All hotels managed/franchise U.S./CAN GMs are the leader of the band – make sure all players know their role to make a hotel successful. From systems, to daily tasks, and how to run effective sales strategy meetings.  

1 virtual-led session, with heavy activities & breakouts for hotel teams

Who?  GM, sales strategy team members, front office, banquets & events.

One Yield Advanced  User (pilot in Q4)

What? Virtual-led session to delve into One Yield with scenario-based training and group breakouts.

Who? Revenue Management powers users of One Yield or individuals who have inventory management and/or revenue management analysis as their primary job responsibility.  

Pre-Requisite? Should have a year or more of job experience, completed all systems training, and ideally completed RMST or some other Marriott International foundational revenue management course offering.

NEXT FMC WEBINAR: SEPT. 9

In observance of the Labor Day (U.S.) / Labour Day (Canada) holiday, we will not be holding the FMC webinar next Thursday, Sept. 2.

We look forward to speaking with you on Thursday, Sept. 9.