Successful Meetings - January 2008 - (Page 24)

ALHI Links to Customers Through “Co-Creation” “Co-creation” is the latest trend in business. While listening to customer suggestions for improvements has always been smart, “co-creation” takes the concept further. Now, organizations are working with customers at the start of a project or program to produce something to benefit both parties. This exciting trend creates a true partnership in the development of the final product, service or program, so organizations that garner early and regular input from their customers are more likely to succeed. Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has been on the cutting edge of this trend, creating Industry Advisory Councils in the mid1980s that remain active today. Customers’ expertise is regularly tapped to develop new programs, alter direction, eliminate obstacles, improve offerings, and enhance the buyer-seller relationship. The good news is that the trend is increasing in popularity. Just look at the concept of WEB 2.0 and “Wikinomics,” and the The global collaboration that is taking place on all types of issues. Customers are now integrally involved in shaping the direction of organizations and companies. as most important, followed by “property size,” “type,” “region,” “service level,” “reputation” and “price.” Later, they wanted more: hotel/resort photography; meeting space floor plans; services and facilities; testimonials and other details. Per planners’ suggestions, ALHI also included a feature that displays the latest “NEWS” about its member hotels and resorts. The result is a new, easy-to-use site “co-created” with customers – a one-stop source for association and corporate executives, meeting professionals, incentive ALHI NATIONAL SALES SERVICES Variety & Options ★ Simplicity & Value ★ Fast, One-Call Access ★ Commitment to Performance ★ Worldwide Luxury-level Portfolio ★ Professional Knowledgeable & Experienced n e w w e b s i t e a t w w w. a l h i . c o m specialists and administrative support personnel who want to identify luxury-level, “site-specific” solutions for their needs. Planners said they wanted to “attach their RFP,” so one can be created or attached online. Most stated they use the web primarily for research, but want professional guidance through their buying process. Experienced and knowledgeable assistance is only an e-mail or single call away to any of ALHI’s national sales offices across America, where professionals are ready to serve planners’ needs, provide advocacy and define the variety of options for programs at ALHI members worldwide. With an easily accessible portfolio of more than 100 Four and Five Diamond/Star quality hotels and resorts worldwide – all specializing in meeting and incentive programs – www.alhi.com is sure to become a “Favorite” with planners… including those who helped co-create the site. Co-Created Website Is Newest Benefit Associated Luxury Hotels recently capitalized on the “co-creation” model in the development of its new website: www.alhi.com. As its members’ authorized National Sales link to the meeting and incentive markets, ALHI worked with association executives, meeting professionals, incentive specialists and fellow hoteliers to identify what information planners desired in a new website and how they most wanted to access it. To begin with, ALHI surveyed planners from various age groups and positions to find out how they wanted to utilize the Internet to identify potential sites for their meetings or programs. The surveys identified “destination” Call the ALHI Luxury Group Desk at 866-303-2544 for your complimentary “2007-2008 ALHI Guide to Meeting Destinations and Facilities.” http://www.alhi.com http://www.alhi.com http://www.alhi.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - January 2008

Successful Meetings - January 2008 Contents Editor's Note Associations Research Events Suppliers Associations On the Record Associations Suppliers Planner Spotlight Websites of the Month Management Matters Meeting the Law Personal Success Mouth for Sale Food & Beverage Professional Development On Site Pre-Event Tools of the Trade Veggie Power Tennis, Anyone? Seeing is Believing The Wild Green Yonder Game On Places & Spaces Galveston & Texas Beaches Greater Seattle Singapore Gurus

Successful Meetings - January 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.