Robert Half Management Resources recently ran on survey on “the best places to hold a business meeting” outside the company’s four walls.
Following are the results and few ideas on how hotels can drive revenues.
The recent survey by Robert Half Management Resources.
When asked, “Other than in the office, what was the location of your most successful business meeting ever?,” here’s what 1,400 finance execs replied:
- restaurant (36%)
- trade show or conference (25%)
- sporting event (4%)
- golf course (3%)
- in a car (1%)
- on a trip/plane (1%)
- nowhere else (24%), and
- other/don’t know/refused (4%).
To increase your revenues:
-Call local businesses and offer your restaurant for business meetings between meal periods. Let them know that 1400 financial executives surveyed indicated this is the number one source of business meetings outside of their own offices. If they need larger area, sell them meeting space. Long term benefit: Local businesses will become aware of services you offer and will tell vendors that visit them. As employees of these companies become aware of your hotel they can refer visiting friends or social business to you. Collect business cards to establish communication paths.
-Trade show or conference. When there is trade show for any industry in your town or city, do you attend? This is one of the best opportunities to discover all the vendors that come to your town/city. You have a captive audience. Ask them where they are staying. If not at your hotel, exchange business cards so you can cultivate them.
-Sporting Event. Check with local golf courses, country clubs, and casinos to see when they have events/tournaments scheduled. Visit them to collect business cards from people that can use your hotel and facilities the next time. A half day at these functions can generate 50 or more leads for future business. Tournaments attract vendors, spectators and participants. All can be your customers.
We all talk about people who “think outside the box.” Any of your employees who are doing the above are demonstrating these abilities. Take care of these employees. Need more employees like this? That requires you to think “outside the box.” We can help. There are inexpensive ways to recruit, call Securemploy at 800-935-5280. We’ll be glad to share what we hear from successful companies.
