Latest news with #Cvent
Hospitality Net
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Trust Issues: Why Hotel Sales Teams Need an AI-Ready Makeover
How Agentic Search is Rewarding Human Connection and Punishing Outdated Sales Tactics. You know what's wild? For years, hotel sales folks have leaned hard on polished photos of empty ballrooms and panoramic lobby shots. And guess what? It's not working anymore. I'm here to tell you: the future of hotel group sales doesn't look like another chandelier ... it looks like a trust fall into AI. When Cory Falter and I got together on The InnSync Show, we tackled this head-on: what exactly are 'trust signals,' why does AI care so much about them, and why should hotel sellers be scrambling (in a calm, professional way) to get on board? Spoiler alert: If your strategy is 'list on Cvent and hope,' you're gonna have a bad time. The Truth About Trust Signals in Hotel Group Sales Empty Ballrooms and Outdated Playbooks Every ballroom honestly looks about the same. Sure, some may have better views or nicer chandeliers, but when you think about it, after you add decor, they all start to blur together unless there's a story behind the space. The modern group buyer isn't just window shopping. They're envisioning their experience in your space. That Pinterest-perfect wedding? That high-impact leadership retreat? They want to feel it. A polished venue pic without a story behind it? That's just décor without depth. And here's the kicker: 63% of planners aren't even using RFPs anymore. That stat from Cvent was a record-scratch moment for me. They're skipping the old-school platforms entirely and turning to tools like ChatGPT for answers. If your property doesn't show up with content that screams 'credible, proven, human,' you might as well be invisible. When AI Starts Playing Matchmaker Here's where it gets spicy. AI, especially agentic search (yes, it's a thing), is now the middleman between your hotel and a planner's 'I need this booked by Friday' panic. When someone types, 'Where can I host a 300-person event in Austin with cool team-building options?' into ChatGPT, guess what the AI pulls from? Not your lifeless photos. It's looking for trust signals: testimonials, case studies, social proof, transparency, and real stories from real people. If you don't have it, you don't show up. And AI is no dummy. It knows fake. It knows vague. Cory says, 'The more I learn about AI, the more it's asking for more humanity, not less.' Exactly. Hotel Group Sales Playbook: Then vs Now Stop Selling. Start Signaling. Think about your last big purchase. Did you believe the product page, or did you scroll straight to the reviews? Exactly. Hotel buyers are no different. They don't want to be sold to; they want receipts. They want evidence. They want to trust you before they ever fill out a form. And trust doesn't come from a polished lobby shot, it comes from signals. Here's how to build them: 1. Turn Guests Into Your Sales Team (Sort of) You probably already have gold sitting in your inbox. Testimonials from planners. Thank-you emails from wedding couples. Raving reviews from corporate retreats. Don't let them die in the CRM. Post them. Feature them. Repurpose them. Add written testimonials to your site and event pages. Film quick video testimonials at the end of an event (use phones, not film crews). Embed real reviews from TripAdvisor, Google, or Yelp. Ask past clients if they'll do a 60-second recap on Instagram or LinkedIn. If ChatGPT can't find any of these signals from your brand, neither can your future client. 2. Stop Talking About Square Footage—Tell a Story You've got 5,000 square feet? Cool. So does everyone else. But did you help a nonprofit host a retreat with custom menus, breakout rooms, and late-night karaoke? That's what we want to hear. This is what I call 'Event Snapshots.' Turn successful past events into mini case studies: Add photos of the event in action Pull quotes from the planners who booked them Highlight special touches your team delivered (surprise s'mores bar, anyone?) Don't describe your space. Demonstrate the experience. 3. Be Where People Are Talking (and Listening) Trust signals can come from everywhere: Blog mentions of your brand Podcast guest spots Branded hashtags or tagged posts on social User videos and reviews on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Upvotes or discussions on Reddit and Quora Guest articles, media coverage, or NPS scores Wiki references (yes, even that counts) If it's authentic and public, it counts as a trust signal. And AI is scraping all of it. The more your brand is talked about in trusted spaces, the more likely you are to be recommended by both humans and machines. Make it easy for them to share their story and experience. 4. Kill the Mystery, Show Some Prices! Let's talk about the hospitality taboo: pricing. We get it … there are variables. But hiding behind 'Call for a quote' is killing your conversions. People don't expect exact math, they want a starting point. Post a range. Explain what's included. Link to a sample package or pricing guide. Endless Customers author Marcus Sheridan says that buyers have two questions: 'How much does it cost?' and 'How much will it really cost?' Answer the first one early to earn the chance to answer the second. Grab Our Trust Signals Checklist (No Opt-In Required!) >> The Amazon Effect: Patience Is Dead We've all been rewired by instant gratification. Amazon, Netflix, DoorDash… It's all instant, and now your group buyers expect the same. They're asking ChatGPT. They're searching differently. They're demanding clarity and speed. If your sales process still involves 'waiting for someone to get back to you,' you're not competing, you're clinging. That's why trust signals matter. They speed up the decision-making process by answering the unspoken question: Can I trust you to deliver what I need, without hassle, without risk? Buyers Are Changing. Are You? This isn't just a tech trend for hotel group sales. It's a human behavior shift. The old model - show the space, wait for RFPs, hope someone picks you - is falling apart. The winners? They'll be the ones who embrace trust, transparency, and tech… without losing their humanity. AI is here. But it's not the enemy. It's your new sales partner. And it's asking: can I trust you? You ready? About Lure Agency Lure Agency is renowned for its passion for R&R – Relationships and Revenue. This Hospitality B2B marketing agency stands out for its unique "Science and Soul" approach, expertly fusing data-driven strategies with creative flair. Specializing in helping independent resorts, tech companies, and suppliers and vendors in the hospitality industry. Lure Agency crafts success stories by balancing human connection with tailored strategies. Their work goes beyond mere business transactions; it's a journey of collaboration and innovation. Lure Agency is committed to concocting success stories and inviting interested parties to learn more at View source
Mid East Info
22-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City Named a Top Meeting Hotel in the Middle East & Africa by Cvent - Middle East Business News and Information
Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City today announced it was named the #2 Top Meeting Hotel in the Middle East & Africa by Cvent. The globally recognised Cvent Top Meeting Hotels lists properties that set themselves apart by delivering outstanding MICE experiences through thoughtful event planner collaboration, exceptional service, and tailored event offerings. Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City's strategic online presence attracts event planners by appealing directly to their unique needs and expectations, ensuring the property is at the forefront of critical MICE business opportunities in the region. Rankings are determined based on robust sourcing and request-for-proposal (RFP) activity through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world's largest venue-sourcing platforms. This year, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City has been recognized as a Cvent Top Meeting Hotel. With 16 state-of-the-art meeting spaces including the grand Al Joud Ballroom (1,425 sqm) accommodating up to 850 guests, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City has cemented its status as a premier destination for corporate events, exhibitions, and social celebrations. As part of Dubai's first integrated urban destination, the hotel offers seamless access to expansive event venues, more than 1,600 rooms and suites, diverse food and beverage options, and exclusive lifestyle experiences like the X-Golf Middle East simulator, perfect for post-conference networking. The property's meeting facilities feature flexible layouts, cutting-edge AV technology, and a dedicated team of event specialists ensuring flawless execution. 'This recognition reflects our unwavering dedication to delivering world-class events in a setting that inspires. From large-scale conferences to bespoke executive retreats and memorable milestone celebrations, we offer more than just space but a platform to create unforgettable moments,' said Mr. Soufiane El Allam, Complex Operations and Commercial Director at Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection. 'Achieving a spot on the Cvent Top Meeting Hotels list is a prestigious honour that highlights a hotel's ability to engage planners and deliver superior MICE and corporate event experiences,' said Graham Pope, Cvent Vice President, and Hospitality Cloud. 'In today's highly competitive, often uncertain environment, it's critical that hotels attract high-margin MICE business by prioritising RFP responses and putting the planner first. Attendee expectations are higher than ever, and resource-constrained event organisers want to collaborate with hotels and venues that understand exactly what they need to bring their vision to life. The properties recognised this year have set a high standard for excellence. Congratulations to Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City on this outstanding accomplishment.' Methodology Cvent evaluated hotel properties that generated business through the Cvent Supplier Network between January 2024 and December 2024. The properties were ranked according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs), awarded RFPs, total room nights, awarded room nights, major metropolitan area market share, conversion rate, and response rate. The criteria are designed to accurately reflect the top meeting hotels in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. About the Cvent Supplier Network The Cvent Supplier Network features more than 340,000 hotels, resorts and special event venues, serving as one of the world's largest and most accurate databases of detailed venue information. Event planners sourced more than $18 billion of group business through Cvent's sourcing networks in 2024 alone. The Cvent Supplier Network is part of Cvent's suite of solutions that hotels and destination management organisations rely on to reach more planners, attract MICE business to their properties & destinations, and directly engage with Cvent's global network of more than 145,000 event professionals. Cvent technology enables hotels and venues to efficiently manage their group and corporate travel business, increase revenue, and deliver more profitable results.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top meetings hotels and destinations in North America: Cvent
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Hospitality technology provider Cvent named the 674-key, Marriott International-branded Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee — with more than 110,000 square feet of event space — the top meetings hotel in North America out of 250 ranked properties. The JW Marriott Nashville and the Grand Hyatt Nashville rounded out the top three for their 'proven track record of swift [request for proposal] responses, prioritizing planner collaboration and offering curated group experiences,' according to Cvent. Other top-10 meetings hotels were located in Austin, Texas; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Las Vegas. Despite Nashville properties topping the meetings hotel ranks, Cvent named Orlando, Florida, as the top meetings destination in North America out of 50 markets. Nashville was named a top-10 destination, though, as were popular group travel hubs Dallas, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Other top-10 meetings hotels in North America, per Cvent's ranking, include Omni Nashville Hotel; the JW Marriott Austin and Fairmont Austin in Texas; The Venetian Resort Las Vegas; Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona; and the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Each hotel offers ample meetings and events space: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, for example, boasts 2.25 million square feet, including a newly revamped convention center, as part of a recent $1.5 billion reinvestment into the resort. The Grand Hyatt Nashville, meanwhile, has 84,000 square feet of meetings space and will host conferences this year, including Hotel Data Conference in August. Last year, Cvent named Grand Hyatt Nashville as the top meetings hotel in North America. Nashville is an 'especially attractive location for hosting unique meetings and events,' with its 'easy accessibility and diverse accommodations,' according to Cvent. The Tennessee market ranked fourth in Cvent's top meetings destinations in North America, behind Orlando, Las Vegas and Chicago. According to Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej, Orlando has been selected as Cvent's top meetings destination in North America every year for the last 10 years. 'With the upcoming expansion of the Orange County Convention Center and the regular additions of new and upgraded hotels and resorts, Orlando's commitment to innovation will continue to strengthen our leadership as a meetings destination,' Matej said in a statement. Atlanta, Dallas, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver and Washington, D.C., also ranked among Cvent's top 10 meetings destinations in North America. Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix all benefit from robust tourism markets led by both business and leisure drivers, local hospitality professionals previously shared with Hotel Dive. Earlier this week, Ryman Hospitality Properties entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix for $865 million. Cvent ranked the resort as the 116th top meetings hotel in North America. To determine the top meetings destinations, Cvent evaluated more than 14,000 cities worldwide listed on the Cvent Supplier Network between January 2024 and December 2024. Meanwhile, the company evaluated hotel properties that generated business through the Cvent Supplier Network during the same period to select the top meetings hotels. Sign in to access your portfolio
Tourism Breaking News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Dubai participates at IMEX 2025 highlights the city's position as a premier destination for international business events
Post Views: 77 Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism successfully participated at IMEX Frankfurt joined by key stakeholders. At IMEX, a delegation of 30 stakeholders from across the sector has joined DBE in showcasing Dubai's credentials as a premier global hub for business events. The delegation includes leading hotels, venues, DMCs, airlines and other service providers including Emirates, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai World Trade Centre, together highlighting Dubai's ability to deliver dynamic world-class events at the intersection of innovation, knowledge-sharing and sustainable growth. This comes as Dubai continues to earn global recognition, this week being confirmed as #1 globally for highest attendee number per association meeting in 2024, and once again ranking #1 in the Middle East for the total number of association meetings hosted during the period, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Cvent has this week also confirmed that Dubai maintained its #1 position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa. The accolades further demonstrate the city's ability to both host prolific events and facilitate event growth for associations, allowing them to tap into the market and increase global access to members. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'As we engage with the global industry at IMEX Frankfurt, we are reinforcing Dubai's position as a strategic destination for impactful business events. Our consistent top rankings from ICCA and Cvent, and growing pipeline of major international events, are the result of a focused and collaborative approach with our stakeholders, as we work collectively to reinforce the emirate's position as a premier global hub for the MICE industry. Business events are integral to our tourism strategy and are increasingly driving progress across key sectors. They are playing a vital role in advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 – to position Dubai as one of the world's most innovative, inclusive and future-ready cities, as guided and championed by the visionary leadership of the UAE.' Dubai's participation aligns with this year's IMEX theme – Impact 2.0: Activating the Future – emphasising the global events community's responsibility to address major global and community challenges while driving positive change through events, partnerships and initiatives. In line with this vision, Dubai continues to attract business events that not only grow visitation but also support innovation and deeper engagement across its economic sectors. This directly contributes to the D33 economic agenda, which aims to place Dubai among the top three global cities for business and leisure. Dubai's momentum was further underscored by a record 437 successful bids secured in 2024 to host international conferences, congresses and incentive programmes, a 20% year-on-year increase. These events are set to attract over 210,000 delegates to Dubai in the coming years, significantly contributing to the city's business and tourism ecosystem. Among the high-profile events won: Amway ESAN 2025, the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums 2025, the Global Symposium on Health Systems Research 2026, the World Congress on Medical Informatics 2027, ISAPS Olympiad World Congress 2027, Forever Living Products Global Rally 2026, the Scientific Assembly and Associated Events of the Committee on Space Research 2028 and The International Conference on Computer Vision 2029. Dubai continues to see strong growth in tourism aligned with its MICE strategy. In 2024, the city welcomed a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors, a 9% year-on-year increase. That momentum has continued into 2025, with 5.31 million international visitors arriving between January and March, marking a 3% increase compared to Q1 2024. Business events have been a key contributor to this sustained growth, generating economic impact across sectors and further strengthening Dubai's global brand. Further enhancing the city's capacity to meet rising demand in the events space, a key development includes an expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. As part of broader urban development initiatives including the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion, the project is a strategic investment aimed at reinforcing Dubai's position as a global platform for major conferences and exhibitions, enabling the city to host larger and more complex events that deliver long-term value that meets increasing demand and attendance. IMEX remains a cornerstone of DBE's global engagement strategy, providing an essential platform to connect with international associations and networks. Dubai continues to use such platforms to strengthen global partnerships and attract events that support its economic, social and sustainability priorities.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai ranked first globally for attendance at association meetings, amid strong IMEX 2025 participation
Cvent: Dubai #1 meetings destination in Middle East and Africa Dubai's participation at IMEX 2025 highlights the city's position as a premier destination for international business events A diverse delegation of 30 stakeholders, led by Dubai Business Events, is convening in Frankfurt from 20 to 22 May to highlight Dubai's world-class MICE infrastructure and hosting capabilities Dubai, UAE – Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, is once again spearheading Dubai's participation at IMEX Frankfurt (20–22 May), one of the most influential trade shows for the global business events industry, joined by key stakeholders. This comes as Dubai continues to earn global recognition, this week being confirmed as #1 globally for highest attendee number per association meeting in 2024, and once again ranking #1 in the Middle East for the total number of association meetings hosted during the period, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Cvent has this week also confirmed that Dubai maintained its #1 position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa. The accolades further demonstrate the city's ability to both host prolific events and facilitate event growth for associations, allowing them to tap into the market and increase global access to members. At IMEX, a delegation of 30 stakeholders from across the sector has joined DBE in showcasing Dubai's credentials as a premier global hub for business events. The delegation includes leading hotels, venues, DMCs, airlines and other service providers including Emirates, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai World Trade Centre, together highlighting Dubai's ability to deliver dynamic world-class events at the intersection of innovation, knowledge-sharing and sustainable growth. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'As we engage with the global industry at IMEX Frankfurt, we are reinforcing Dubai's position as a strategic destination for impactful business events. Our consistent top rankings from ICCA and Cvent, and growing pipeline of major international events, are the result of a focused and collaborative approach with our stakeholders, as we work collectively to reinforce the emirate's position as a premier global hub for the MICE industry. Business events are integral to our tourism strategy and are increasingly driving progress across key sectors. They are playing a vital role in advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 - to position Dubai as one of the world's most innovative, inclusive and future-ready cities, as guided and championed by the visionary leadership of the UAE.' Dubai's participation aligns with this year's IMEX theme - Impact 2.0: Activating the Future - emphasising the global events community's responsibility to address major global and community challenges while driving positive change through events, partnerships and initiatives. In line with this vision, Dubai continues to attract business events that not only grow visitation but also support innovation and deeper engagement across its economic sectors. This directly contributes to the D33 economic agenda, which aims to place Dubai among the top three global cities for business and leisure. Dubai's momentum was further underscored by a record 437 successful bids secured in 2024 to host international conferences, congresses and incentive programmes, a 20% year-on-year increase. These events are set to attract over 210,000 delegates to Dubai in the coming years, significantly contributing to the city's business and tourism ecosystem. Among the high-profile events won: Amway ESAN 2025, the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums 2025, the Global Symposium on Health Systems Research 2026, the World Congress on Medical Informatics 2027, ISAPS Olympiad World Congress 2027, Forever Living Products Global Rally 2026, the Scientific Assembly and Associated Events of the Committee on Space Research 2028 and The International Conference on Computer Vision 2029. Dubai continues to see strong growth in tourism aligned with its MICE strategy. In 2024, the city welcomed a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors, a 9% year-on-year increase. That momentum has continued into 2025, with 5.31 million international visitors arriving between January and March, marking a 3% increase compared to Q1 2024. Business events have been a key contributor to this sustained growth, generating economic impact across sectors and further strengthening Dubai's global brand. Further enhancing the city's capacity to meet rising demand in the events space, a key development includes an expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. As part of broader urban development initiatives including the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion, the project is a strategic investment aimed at reinforcing Dubai's position as a global platform for major conferences and exhibitions, enabling the city to host larger and more complex events that deliver long-term value that meets increasing demand and attendance. IMEX remains a cornerstone of DBE's global engagement strategy, providing an essential platform to connect with international associations and networks. Dubai continues to use such platforms to strengthen global partnerships and attract events that support its economic, social and sustainability priorities. Visit to find out more about hosting business events in Dubai. About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail, gastronomy, family entertainment and event sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination and the best place to live, work and visit. About Dubai Business Events Dubai Business Events (DBE) – the Official Convention Bureau, aims to further develop and increase Dubai's share of the international business events market in order to grow economic development, jobs and knowledge creation in the emirate. DBE's main goal, as a division of DET, is to establish the Emirate as a premier business event destination by helping organizers of international meetings, incentives, congresses and exhibitions plan and manage every aspect of their event. As a member of Best Cities Global Alliance, DBE aims to deliver the world's best service experience for the meeting industry. For further information, please contact: mediarelations@ Iman Dawod – dbepr@
