Groups360 blog
Find out what’s on our mind and get the latest on group travel, industry news and our product info.
Planner Pain Points: Ditch Low-Tech Tools and Legacy Sourcing Systems
In early 2020, Groups360 commissioned interviews with meeting planners from corporations and associations across the U.S. to better understand their sourcing journeys. Below are the top five pain points when dealing with low-tech tools and legacy sourcing systems, according to your industry peers, along with the empowering alternative you’ll find in GroupSync.
Pandemic Pivot: Tech Companies Recognize New Opportunities
During the last week of September 2020, Matthew Howden, SVP, attendee management solutions, was a featured speaker at WiT Experience Week, a unique global travel conference live-streamed from Singapore. Matthew joined Dylan Tan, CEO of Split, the 2018 WiT Startup of the Year winner, to revisit their companies’ trajectories since their wins and how they’ve been faring through the pandemic.
Insights into the Future of Hotel and Event Technology
Groups360 CEO Kemp Gallineau participated in a panel discussion and Q&A hosted by hotel and event tech firm Event Temple. The webinar featured conversation about hotel and event technology, as well as strategies hoteliers can implement to win more group business and improve the guest experience as hotels across the globe transition into recovery.
GroupSync: The Empowering Alternative to Legacy Sourcing Systems
Join us for our next webinar — GroupSync: The Empowering Alternative to Legacy Sourcing Systems. In this free 30-minute presentation, discover a powerful alternative to legacy sourcing systems that creates a simpler, more effective RFP for post-pandemic event planning.
How to Track Reopenings by Country, State and Venue
Even though most events originally planned for 2020 have been canceled, event planners are actively sourcing and booking events for later this year and into 2021. Groups360 is as ready as the rest of our industry peers to resume meetings and events. To assist with planning efforts, we’ve compiled a list of resources for how countries and U.S. states are reopening for business, travel and in-person gatherings.
Most In-Person Meetings Will Resume, Eventually
According to Groups360’s most recent research into the shopping and buying experiences of part-time meeting planners, these administrative professionals stated that nearly all of their meeting types will return to the face-to-face format as soon as it’s safe to do so. They can’t wait for virtual meetings to be a thing of the past, which is good news to hotels who can accommodate their needs.
Groups360 Expands into the APAC Region
Groups360, a platform that simplifies bringing people together for meetings and events, recently announced the acquisition of IDEM Hospitality and the addition of senior leadership based in Singapore. Steven Hopkinson will join the company as senior vice president, EMEA & APAC sales and Matthew Howden will become senior vice president, attendee management product development.
The Part-time Planner Is an Underserved Market
As a follow-up to our spring 2020 research, Groups360 initiated a second double-blind research study, this time focusing on part-time meeting planners from associations, small businesses and large corporations. Our biggest takeaway is that this group of administrative professionals represents an underserved market for hotels and suppliers.
The Future of Meeting: A Conversation with Andrew Messick, Part 2
Group360 founder Dave Kloeppel welcomes a cross section of industry leaders for an ongoing conversation series, The Future of Meeting. In part 2 of Dave’s conversation with Andrew Messick, CEO of the IRONMAN Group, Messick discusses how his 26 global offices have continued to successfully conduct business during the new normal.
A More Efficient Way to Manage Room Blocks
It would be far simpler if meeting attendees were able to input their own details into an online booking site that communicates the details directly to the hotel or event planner. Consider the ways transient travelers book their hotel lodging—they simply visit an online travel agent, choose a hotel and room rate, and confirm their stay. Why can’t it be this convenient for delegates who need to book a reservation in a room block?
Groups360 Expands Senior Sales Leadership
Groups360 recently announced the addition of two senior executives as part of an ongoing global expansion. Wendy Blaney will lead sales teams in the Northeast region of the U.S., and Dan Humby will lead the European region and oversee the launch of the company's London office.
The Future of Meeting: A Conversation with Andrew Messick, Part 1
In this edition of The Future of Meeting, Groups360 founder Dave Kloeppel talks to Andrew Messick, CEO of the IRONMAN Group, operator of the iconic triathlon series and other multisport races around the world.
The Future of Meeting: A Conversation with Jan Jones Blackhurst, Part 2
Group360 founder Dave Kloeppel welcomes a cross section of industry leaders for an ongoing conversation series, The Future of Meeting. In part 2 of his conversation with Jan Jones Blackhurst, Blackhurst shares her perspective on how Caesars Entertainment and other Las Vegas institutions have to adapt to encourage visitors to return during the pandemic.
Gain an Edge by Understanding Meeting Planner Pain Points
In early 2020, Groups360 commissioned research based on in-depth interviews of meeting planners from corporations, associations and trade societies across the U.S. Our goal was to better understand their sourcing journeys to augment ongoing product development. The planners in our study shared a number of frustrations that have workable solutions, whether through technology or the intentional efforts of hotel sales managers. Here are five particular challenges to sourcing meetings as expressed by our industry colleagues, as well as ways hoteliers can stand out from their comp set by addressing their needs.
The Future of Meeting: A Conversation with Jan Jones Blackhurst, Part 1
For our ongoing conversation series, The Future of Meeting, Groups360 founder Dave Kloeppel welcomes a cross section of leaders in live-action events, professional sports, marketing and hospitality for discussions about the impact of COVID-19. This week, Dave talks to Jan Jones Blackhurst, Caesars Entertainment board member and former two-term mayor of Las Vegas from 1991-1999 when Sin City was the fastest growing city in the country and the No. 1 resort and meeting destination.
