As marketing and advertising begin to rebound from the depths of the abyss that was 2020, accommodation brands need to be smarter about revitalizing their marketing strategies and media funds to reach audiences whose habits and preferences have shifted during the pandemic. There is now more than ever an increased pressure to drive return on investment with earned, owned and paid media by making the most of marketing budgets and engaging with an altered media landscape. READ MORE

Chris McAndrews, Vice President of Marketing at Cvent, discusses how hotels and venues can leverage technology to help attract and win group business. As experiences moved online due to the pandemic, the events, meeting and hospitality industries underwent an accelerated digital transformation. Now, as in-person gatherings return and hybrid events gain momentum, technology will continue to be a cornerstone of successful events by facilitating a venue's ability to host safe and efficient experiences. READ MORE

Weighing in on recent shifts, Justin Hauge outlines the new pillars of post-COVID marketing. Justin is the Chief Growth Officer at Rabbu, a flexible rental asset management company named by Welp as one of the top real estate companies in America. Here, he highlights the magic of concurrent listings, the value of automation, and the new language of marketing. READ MORE

Conditions over the last year are forcing us to revisit traditional marketing results, and today we must find patience to work and wait, something uncomfortable to many. But while some customers do not have the willingness to buy just yet, there are important steps we can take now that will set the stage for our future success. READ MORE

Ever wonder if your hotel is optimizing its sales & marketing strategy? Want to discover how the sales & marketing department can transform your hotel and the impact it can have if done right? This article explores several best practices, and the impact an asset manager's services and perspective can have on this vital department. READ MORE

The crisis has pushed hoteliers to reconsider their long-held beliefs about retaining their systems. Perhaps there's been a fear of accepting the heavy investment that came with introducing systems which quickly dated and were yet to prove ROI. Here's how sales & marketing teams can use technology to position for growth, be savvy and curate the brand story for the long-term. READ MORE

Pent-up demand for travel is palpable. Rising U.S. vaccinations, coupled with strong pandemic stimulus, personal savings and recovering employment, are set to propel travel in the second half of 2021. Real estate senior analysts at RSM, Laura Dietzel and Ryan McAndrew, provide an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities hotel owners and operators will face in the coming months. READ MORE

Now that vaccine roll-out is picking up steam and businesses begin to get back on their feet, hope lingers on the horizon. The industry is in for a period of transformative change in the months ahead-in a good way. With a goal-oriented, measurable and tactical plans in place, only hoteliers properly prepared for the looming recovery will declare victory as the race to recovery switches into high gear. Are you ready? READ MORE

Empathy is an important component of hospitality that has taken on new importance in light of the pandemic and other recent events. The public is calling upon business leaders to address long-standing social inequities with empathetic, transparent and action-oriented communications. The conversation should start with hotel employees who by extension can convey our values to guests. With the right training and support, the hospitality industry also can be agents for the greater good. READ MORE

With the COVID-19 vaccination programs in place all around the world, the tourism and hospitality sectors must foresee the new demands from the customers and stakeholders. This article by Macquarie University Lecturer Shahin Sharifi offers a broad view of the target market and the key change, driven by the pandemic, in the product offering. READ MORE

Lodging sales and marketing will need to focus on service and value. Service is the tool that can differentiate one product or service from another. Service, sales, and marketing in these times must include digital options, i.e. websites, apps, virtual tours etc. An obvious demonstration of new media and technology and an integrated marketing and communications plan will be useful both in the long term, strategically and to meet tactical objectives. READ MORE

Hotel sales and marketing managers face uniquely competitive landscapes. Coupled with product differentiation and the threat of substitutes, identifying a competitive advantage is paramount to building a successful career. Radical and incremental innovations are approaches to product differentiation that may result in sustainable competitive advantages. This article seeks to identify approaches to effective innovation and provides examples of successful innovations. READ MORE

Hotel Marketers need to align their KPIs with Sales and Revenue Management, instead of just focusing on single campaign ROI. Once hotel marketers start focusing on metrics aligned with stealing market share from the competitive set, the conversations will elevate and become more holistic. The pandemic has proven that strong ROI in a campaign may not mean the hotel is performing well overall. READ MORE

The year 2020 was transformational for the hospitality and travel industry as millions of employees were furloughed or lost their jobs. In 2021, there is potential to revitalize those same industries as vaccination rollout continues across the globe. Bringing those employees back to work, and recruiting new hires, requires attention to health concerns and discrimination laws on the state and federal level that are unique to COVID-19. READ MORE

Red Carnation Hotel's head of sustainability, Michelle Devlin, discusses why sustainable practices are becoming a larger part of luxury hotel operations. With COVID's shut down of travel for more than a year, many businesses in the luxury hospitality sector are resetting their priorities and are starting to take responsibility for socially conscious travel. READ MORE