Meeting News - September 8, 2008 - (Page 22)

Hotels & Resorts Dolce International unveiled a new brand strategy last month that cemented its shift from pure conference centers into full-service hotel and resort properties. At a Manhattan luncheon, Dolce founder, chairman, and managing director Andy Dolce introduced the company’s new name— Dolce Hotels & Resorts—a fresh corporate logo, and new branding, operational, and customer initiatives. “We felt the people who don’t know us didn’t come to us because of the ‘conference center’ tag,” said Andy Dolce. “Meetings will still be our sweet spot. This is our opportunity to penetrate the meetings business that goes to hotels as well as resorts.” The 27-old-company has a history of managing International markets in the coming years. And as part of its new branding, Dolce is spending approximately $100 million on capital improvements to upgrade its existing properties—such as Dolce Basking Ridge, in Basking Ridge, NJ; Dolce Norwalk, in Norwalk, CT; and Dolce Chantilly, in Chantilly, France—to newly formed, high brand standards. Among the brand’s new features at every property will be an “executive concierge” in the business center; cybercafes; break areas with connectivity technology and both high-top and communal tables; more spa amenities and guest activities; 300-thread-count bed Edited by Rayna Katz rayna.katz@nielsen.com Re-branded Dolce International Embraces Hotels and Resorts linens, flat-panel HDTVs, and branded bath products in all guest rooms; sommeliers and additional restaurants; and upgraded cuisine. Michelin-star chef Alain Montingy, based at Dolce Chantilly, has created an annual training program for all company chefs that will elevate a la carte dining standards. The company also announced a 36-point green program. “In our research, planners told us we didn’t have the ‘wow factor,’” Dolce chief sales and marketing officer Carl Cohen said bluntly. “They told us that it was time for us to step up.” —William Ng Association of Conference Centers-compliant properties, but today its portfolio is made up of 16 hotels and resorts and eight traditional conference properties. It will look to introduce properties of both ilks in virtually all healthy Meetings that Won’t Break the Bank Are Now Available at a Variety of Chains Understanding that many meeting planners are hard-pressed now to find affordable meeting venues in an era of shrinking budgets, rising fuel costs, and little if any falloff in hotel occupancy—particularly those creating small meetings— one full-service hotel brand and two limited-service lines from the same hotelier are all offering extensive value packages while a wellknown boutique group has revamped a perks program for groups. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts last month unveiled a multi-perk program for groups using 200 or more peak nights and the chance to get two rewards, and a 2 percent discount, for groups using 25 or fewer rooms at a full-service resort in the U.S., Canada, or Caribbean. In addition, groups headed to the Hyatt Place or Hyatt Summerfield Suites can take advantage of some new breaks on meeting costs. 22 MeetingNews At Kimpton, changes have been made to the Pick-Your-Perks offer, previously made available in 2003 and now on the table again until Dec. 30. All participating groups receive 15 percent off the best available rate; 5 percent off the master account folio; and a creative meeting concept consultation. In addition, clients can choose two other perks and will receive an American Express Gift Card for up to $500. Meanwhile, planners of larger meetings who book multi-year contracts with Hyatt by June 30, 2009 and hold those programs between July 2008 and 2015 are eligible for up to six rewards for their business under the Multiple Meetings Offer. Planners who book two meetings can select three rewards; three meetings earns four rewards and so on up to five meetings and six rewards. Reward options include Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points, complimentary meeting space, food and beverage and audiovisual equipment discounts, attrition fee discounts, and more. For groups with 25 or more paid guest rooms at the same types of Hyatts that meet by March 31, 2009, two of the following rewards are available under the Take Two Meetings Offer (TTMO): complimentary Internet access in paid guest rooms, one complimentary guest room per 35 paid room nights, complimentary morning or afternoon coffee break, two upgrades to suites at the group rate, and/or no attrition fees. In addition, if billed to an American Express credit card, groups booking under TTMO will receive a 2 percent discount on their master bill. To find eligible dates and properties, go to hyattmultiplemeetings.com or taketwo.hyatt.com, or call (800) 543-1818. Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites announced a new promotion with the Hyatt Group Dividends Program, which allows meeting planners to earn two Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points for every eligible dollar spent at more than 120 properties through Nov. 26. In addition, both brands lowered the minimum room booking for the rewards by 50 percent to five guest rooms made it so planners now can earn rewards on all food and beverage revenue. And a singular property promotion is worth noting: The 626room Regal Sun Resort, at Orlando’s Walt Disney World, is offering all groups reserving 10 rooms or more for at least two nights either a free Sunday night stay or a free ice cream sundae reception. The property features 19,000 sf of renovated meeting space. www.meetingnews.com September 8, 2008 http://www.hyattmultiplemeetings.com http://www.hyattmultiplemeetings.com http://taketwo.hyatt.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - September 8, 2008

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