Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008 - (Page 30)

30 Special Report AN INDUSTRY CONNECTED H&MM November 3, 2008 | HotelMotel.com www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition Networking gets new meaning on the Web By Emily Hanna ASSOCIATE EDITOR Social networking Websites, such as MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn, that allow users to connect and build communities. Blogs working, encompasses nearly all n the span of just a few years, networking has gone from the trading of business cards at professional events and tradeshows to “linking” and “friending” on the World Wide Web. This new outlet, social net- I age ranges and demographics in some way, and its connection to the hotel industry is becoming evermore present as days pass. Social networking’s outlets are many, including blogs, video sharing sites, photo sharing sites, message boards and other on- line communities. Independent and branded hotels have started to embrace social networking and social media, but all are just at the brink of what this vast network has to offer. “We’re in the very early stages in the use of social media and social networks, so it’s not like every- body’s got it down to a science,” said Cindy Estis Green, managing partner of The Estis Group and author of Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s special report “The Travel Marketer’s Guide to Social Media and Social Networks: Sales and Marketing in a Web 2.0 World.” Short for web logs. Postings from individuals on a formal or informal basis that cover a variety of topics. Message boards Introducing Feel the Difference Forums in which users can submit topics of discussion and other users respond in public postings (threads) or private messages. In the plans Hotels getting into the fray ﬁrst and foremost should include “some form of trip planning” on their sites, Green whether it’s THE ESTIS GROUP consumer reviews or a space to make vacation plans, Green said, noting The Norfolk (Va.) Convention and Visitors Bureau recently launched a website on which hotels, restaurants and other businesses are shown on an interactive map. Then, users drag and drop places they want to visit into folders on the site. Getting social Cotton Bay linen, terry, and bedding have been developed with your needs and your guests’ expectations in mind. Your guests will enjoy the quality and performance; you’ll appreciate the consistency and reliability. The new Cotton Bay line is exclusively available at HD Supply, where our commitment to the hospitality industry is unparalleled. Now, whether you need light bulbs and showerheads or pillows and sheets, you can rely on HD Supply as your single-source supplier. Interactivity is one of the main reasons hotel companies are getting involved in social networking. “At Hyatt, we are creating social environments for guests to communicate with each other, as well as making sure Hyatt is participating on existing social sites to facilitate discussions and provide information on our properties worldwide,” said Bill Bernahl, VP of e-commerce. Depending on the hotel or brand’s target audience, different social networking outlets exist. “For the hospitality industry, quite honestly, the Facebook and MySpace pages have been sucSee Networks | page 58 CIRCLE NO. 130 To view the full line of Cotton Bay, visit hdsupplysolutions.com/cottonbay © 2008 HD Supply, Inc. ADV-8-3114 http://www.HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.hdsupplysolutions.com/cottonbay

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008

Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008 Contents The Rate Debate Accor Defines Motel 6 Prototype Rollout Holiday Inn Eyes Upscale, Timeshare Perspective Economy Sets Tone at The Lodging Conference Mellow Vibe Meets Bold Design at HD Boutique Expo IH/M&RS to Focus on Going Green Legally Speaking Sales Clinic On Finance Travel Trends Cornell Insights Franchise Law HotelWorld Update Trends & Stats Energy Star Update Energy Star Update An Industry Connected People on The Move Annual GM Survey Point-of-Sale Systems IH/M&RS Product Preview Outdoor Lighting Refrigeration Marketplace Ad/Editorial Index Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008

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