Update on Marriott International’s Global Meeting Strategy: Meetings Imagined
At the end of May, we launched Marriott International’s new Global Meeting Strategy: Meetings Imagined. – People Inspired, Marriott Delivered.
In June, Meetings Imagined was unveiled to customers through a press release with the headline Imagine a Meeting That Doesn’t Feel Like “A Meeting.” The release was picked up by 224 websites with a total potential global audience reach of 123 million.
Click on the image above to view the new Meetings Imagined video.
For more information and access to marketing resources, visit the Meetings Imagined Global Meeting Strategy page on MGS.
We continue to focus on implementing innovations in meetings and events to differentiate our brands globally. Following is an update on each of these digital experiences.
MEETINGSIMAGINED.COM: Update on Global Rollout; Final Chance to Opt In for 2015
MeetingsImagined.com – Live at Over 330 Hotels in the Americas
This award-winning website transforms the way customers shop, buy and plan meetings. It is now live in over 550 hotels globally across six brands, and can be used by both associates and customers – starting with the purpose of the meeting or event – to inspire and design using new ideas (view Introduction Video).
Early results among registered customers show strong website usage with an average of 30 minutes and 24 page views per session. Since Jan. 1, customers accounted for 77% of all website traffic, and customers surveyed see MeetingsImagined.com as a more compelling way to plan and purchase meetings.
Final Chance to Opt-in to MeetingsImagined.com for 2015
Remaining hotels are encouraged to participate in the final launch for 2015. These properties will pay a cost of $250 per attendee for the in-market training. Any properties that choose to participate in 2016 will be charged an implementation cost of $3,000 in addition to the cost of the in-market training. We have hosted 32 classes to-date in the Americas; however, want to give all Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels, and Gaylord properties one final opportunity to participate before the cost increase takes effect.
To opt in, hotels should complete the MeetingsImagined.com Final Opt-in Survey by Sept. 18. Franchise management companies with eligible hotels in their portfolio will be notified of this deadline via direct email within the next week.
MEETING SERVICES APP: Billing Enhancement – Pilot and Full Rollout Worldwide in 2015
Meeting Services App (MSA) Global Brand Standard Effective April 1, 2016
As announced last month, effective April 1, 2016, MSA will become a global brand standard for JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, Marriott Hotels, and The Ritz-Carlton properties in order to elevate and ensure a consistent meeting planner experience. The standard requires these hotels to offer all MSA functionality to meeting planner customers. Prior to this date, event planning/catering, event operations, finance/accounting and property/group sales associates must complete the MSA User Training, which was communicated to them via Weekly Update. View the full standard for details.
Coming Soon | Meeting Services App Billing Enhancement
With the next version of the Meeting Services App, additional request types surrounding billing are being added to core functionality of service requests. For CI/TY Hotels, this includes the ability for customer’s to electronically review, dispute, and approve Banquet Event Checks in the app.
Hotels were asked, via the Aug. 31 Weekly Update, to submit property coaches by Oct. 5. Implementation activities will then begin in October with a current go-live date scheduled for Nov. 9. For more information visit the Meeting Services Implementation tab on MGS.
NextGen Meeting Spaces: Meeting Space Design to Create Differentiation and Drive Brand Preference
NextGen Meeting Space Design Strategies are now available for JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels. As we continue to innovate the design of meeting space, our latest books will create brand differentiation and help drive brand preference. With a foundation in the brands’ overarching design strategy, we are introducing signature design concepts to heighten the attendee experience – one that connects the brands’ strategy, design aesthetic and guest preferences.
The design strategies and supporting materials for JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels are now available via Buzzsaw. With this launch and training, designers are poised to introduce the brands’ design concepts for new build and renovation projects. Please reach out to your local A&C partner should you have further questions.
WiFi Simplified: A New Approach to Offering Meeting Room Internet to Meeting Planners
WiFi Simplified is a new approach to offering Internet to meeting planners in the U.S., which will provide a consistent offering while improving the guest experience and increasing meeting planner satisfaction. For Marriott-branded hotels, the WiFi Simplified solution results in:
- Focused and consistent training to educate associates
- Turnkey solution to offering meeting Internet during the sales and planning phases
- Transparency to the customer by providing collateral on Marriott.com
Phase I (Meetings with Up to 100 Participants): The Early Adopter Phase is now live in 72 hotels and we expect results will be available in early 2016.
Phase II (Meetings with More than 100 Participants): The POC for Phase II begins in October and includes 8 Convention & Resort Network hotels.
For more information visit the Wifi Simplified MGS page.
Marriott’s Global Meeting Strategy continues to help differentiate us from the competition and make us the first choice for meetings and events. Thank you for your continued support of these digital experiences. If you have questions or feedback, please email GlobalMeetingStrategy@marriott.com.
