We are beginning to feel an increasing sense of optimism for the short-term future of the market for business meetings and events, be this face to face or via hybrid solutions. More than sixteen European countries have already announced timetables to reopen their hospitality businesses with countries like Germany – where the majority of Lindner hotels have now reopened – leading the charge. Airlines are beginning to reopen routes and announce measures to give people the confidence to travel.
In preparation, the hotels we work with are taking some great steps and exciting initiatives that will get their operations ready to offer customers safe environments, as well as the tools and reassurances they need to plan meetings and events into the final quarter and 2021.
Here is a quick look at some of those steps being taken by our partner hotels.
#1 Health and safety
The most important measures are those that can reassure guests about health and safety. All of our partner brands are implementing a variety of measures such as rigorous and enhanced cleaning regimes, a move to cashless transactions, removal of peripheral bedroom items and moving from buffet service for F&B towards increased plated options. In some instances, hotels will cap their occupancy. Take a look at this video from Club Med that covers some of the great initiatives they are taking to welcome guests back into their resorts.
#2 Flexible terms and conditions
Recognising that more than ever before, external forces may impact an individuals’ ability to travel, some hotel companies are revisiting their terms and conditions to allow greater flexibility in planning overnight stays, and also meetings and events. Lindner Hotels in Germany is now offering a 6pm cancellation policy for all individual bookings and are looking at ways to adapt their terms and conditions for M&E planners to give them the confidence to rebook. More to follow…
#3 New capacities and marketing collateral for meetings & events
Social distancing means hotels need to review the capacities of their meeting spaces and food and beverage outlets. To help planners, the hotels we work with are producing new floorplans that introduce one-way flows, publishing updated capacity charts and even producing virtual site-visits such as this one below from Apollo Hotel Vinkeveen-Amsterdam, to show what the new and updated meeting spaces and concept look like.
#4 Hybrid meeting solutions
With meeting capacities reduced in the short term, Apollo & Leonardo Hotels are rolling out the technology and specialist meeting packages to enable hybrid meetings to take place across their entire portfolio in Benelux, as well as here in the UK. It’s even possible to link up with other branded hotels in other countries around the world. If you’re wondering how to get your sales team of 400 people together for your 2021 kick-off, then they can help by simultaneously linking up several smaller regional meetings in various different Apollo & Leonardo hotels. Or, use one of their venues as the backdrop from which to broadcast your event worldwide.
If you would like to know more information about any of the measures mentioned above, or would like to discuss the possibility of organising a meeting or event in one of our partner hotels, then we’d be very happy to hear from you. You can get in touch by emailing paul@amplifiedhotels.com.