Lane Hospitality Debuts No-Nonsense
‘Meetings Work’ Initiative

• A practical, flexible, value-driven approach
• Capitalizing on hotels in easy fly-in/fly-out, drive-to secondary markets
• Meetings more important to our nation than ever before

NORTHBROOK , IL (March 11, 2009) – These days, when it comes to the business of meetings, hotels across the country need to be creative and rethink their approach.  Lane Hospitality of Northbrook, IL, one of the nation's top hotel management companies, has developed a “Meetings Work” initiative for its hotels. The plan calls for a practical, flexible, no-nonsense and value-driven approach.

Responding to the recent coverage of meeting and event cancellations, Bill DeForrest, President and CEO of Lane Hospitality, says meetings are more important now than ever before for several reasons.

“Most organizations’ success depends on introducing new products and services to ensure they are competing aggressively, especially in the current market – and in many cases, this can only be accomplished via a conference and meeting setting,” says DeForrest. “In addition, it is critical to train and develop your team to perform at optimal efficiency in this very challenging environment, which can best be accomplished in a quality meeting and conference environment.”

With Meetings Work, Lane Hospitality hotels across the country are succeeding in attracting more meetings business:

• The new High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, NY , has created a 24 hour meetings hotline that offers both ‘answers and perks.’  In addition, with its March promotion, “Hot Dates, Hot Rates, Hot Line,” planners receive a Visa Gift Card equal to $1 for each room night booked.  Also, those who call the hotline receive a complimentary one-night stay at the resort.

• The Doubletree Annapolis, MD is equally aggressive with inquiries and calls.  “Our commitment is to be extremely responsive and very easy to do business with, especially in these challenging times,” says Gail Terribile, the hotel’s Director of Sales. “We understand many companies are deciding at the last minute to commit to meetings and events as a result of their own budget and time concerns. Once the decision is made, they need our sales team to be responsive and flexible.”  Terribile notes that the hotel is currently offering a comprehensive package that includes guest room, F&B, room rental and AV equipment to facilitate not only a great value but a very clear and convenient booking process; it has been well received by clients.

• At the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Downtown Chicago , Director of Sales Brad Summers has put a “Ready to Go” meeting package in place that has brought in business and at a faster pace.  Summers says it’s modeled after the more traditional Complete Meetings Package (CMP) concept that includes breakfast, snack and lunch.  In addition, the hotel is doing more email blasting and working with the customer to offer flexibility when it comes to AV rental equipment, room costs and other amenities.

• Last-minute business has become increasingly important as the bookings window has shrunk to as close as a week out.  Such is the case with the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Chicago and also Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills. With the last minute booking patterns, sales teams now focus on quick response, flexible terms and stronger value with regard to accommodations, food and beverage, and AV needs.