The latest on Wisconsin's Hotel & Lodging Industry

We’ve Moved!

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:19:20 +0000

It’s been so much fun launching our new blog at WisconsinInnkeepersAssociation.Wordpress.com, but we’ve decided it’s time to head home!

Click on over & check us out at MemberBlog.WisconsinLodging.org for all the same great news & info on all things relating to Wisconsin’s Lodging Industry, the Wisconsin Innkeepers Association (WIA) & the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

We’ll keep this blog as is, but all of the previous posts can also be found at the new Blog site as well… We invite you to stop by and check out our new digs – and of course tell us what you think about the whole thing!

Free Webcast: Demystifying Social Media Measurement

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:45:21 +0000

Presented by the American Marketing Association:
DATE: Thursday, March 25, 2010
TIME: 12:00 pm CT
PRESENTERS:
John Lovett, Senior Partner, Web Analytics Demystified
Alli Libb, Moderator, American Marketing Association

DETAILS:
“The social media frenzy is escalating as millions of consumers flock to sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr to find their social media fix. Now marketers seek out customers in these new channels with an estimated 86% that plan to increase their investments in social media activity this year. However, among these marketers, a staggering number are failing to measure the effects of their efforts. Yet, dollars are flowing from traditional marketing activities to social media methods. Now more than ever it’s imperative to measure the results of social media marketing.

Join John Lovett, an expert from Web Analytics Demystified as he strips away the hype of social media and apply proven measurement practices. In this session you’ll learn how to:

Identify the focal point for measuring social media activity
Align strategic measurement with business objectives
Create Key Performance Indicators for social media measurement
Recognize metrics that offer insight into your customers social activity
Use a framework for truly understanding social media marketing”

Click here to learn more & register.

The WIA does not endorse either the AMA or Web Analytics Demystified, nor any of their seminars, materials, or information, and will not be held accountable for any such representations. The information above is simply provided as a courtesy to our members.

Online Reviews: To Respond or Not Respond?

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:28:12 +0000

Back in July of 2009 we did a post called “Good Tips for Bad Reviews“. One of our most popular topics, we still often take inquiries from members suddenly facing negative guest reviews online. We already know that, no matter how hard we try, we can’t please all the people all the time & bad days happen…

So, here’s my question:
Do you have a strategy for handling guest feedback in person, over the phone, or in writing to your establishment AND do you have a plan for dealing with these same type of comments when made online?

If you answered no, why not?

Conversations about your place are happening, whether you’re part of them or not. So, in the spirit of encouraging you to be an active participant in those discussions, we’ve pulled together three more articles worth checking out:

Join the conversation about your business (from May, 09)
Responding to the good, the bad and the ugly (February, 2010)
SmartBrief on: How to handle customer comments (March, 2010)

Finally, this article was originally included in our first post, but I wanted to highlight it one more time because it details a PROACTIVE approach to online guest feedback: Beating negative hotel reviews: An action plan for proactive reputation management.

It’s your turn for feedback – let us have it in the comments section below!

Free audio conference on Confidentiality & Force Majeure

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:27:32 +0000

The Rudner Law Offices is proud to continue its series of no-cost educational audioconferences exclusively for hotel, resort and conference center salespeople.

DETAILS:
Confidentiality Clauses, Force Majeure and other Clauses that can go Wrong
March 18, 3:00 pm CST

Discussion: “On March 3, 2010, a confidential Republican party fundraising presentation was obtained by Politico.com, and the revelation of its contents proved to be highly embarrassing for the Republican National Committee. The 72-page document was obtained by a Democrat, “who said a hard copy had been left in the hotel” which was hosting the $2,500-a-head retreat. The story can be found at
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33866.html#ixzz0iHMkuYLD . What would have happened if the contract for the meeting had contained the type of condidentiality clause common in many addenda, and the event had occurred at your hotel?

On June 10, 2005, the New York Times reported that Johnson & Johnson negotiated with the FDA to keep a lucrative drug on the market and to weaken potential warnings, even amid growing reports of deaths and heart problems by patients taking the drug. The story is at http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/10/news/fortune500/jnj_propulsid/ . On that report, J&J stock dropped 25 cents, which (when multiplied by the 5,248,400 shares in the company) represent a loss in value of $1,312,100. The New York Times obtained the documents, which had been filed under seal with a court – which means no one was to see them. What if the documents had been obtained by the New York Times during a meeting at your hotel? Would you be prepared to pay a damage claim of $1,312,000 based on a violation of the confidentiality clause?

On February 11, 2010, the Governor of the State of Nevada issued an order which purports to bar travel by state employees. It ordered all departments to “eliminate all travel that is not related to the core mission of performing the job, health, life and safety of the employee or the public.” This order is similar to others issued by other governors. If a Nevada state agency is meeting at your hotel, is that a government regulation covered by a force majeure clause?

During this seminar, we will address Confidentiality and Force Majeure Issues and other commonly requested clauses which often go dangerously wrong. ”

TO REGISTER FOR THE SEMINAR:
Please send an email to rudner@hotellawyers.com no later than 24 hours prior to the seminar. Identify the name and email address of each person who will join in on the call (salespeople at the same location must listen together by speaker phone), and the property at which each participant is currently employed. If you have a question which you want to have anonymously addressed during the seminar on ANY subject regarding group sales contracts, please submit that question at the time of your registration.
The day before the seminar you will be sent an email which will provide the toll-free telephone number for you to call in on to join the seminar, as well as a required code number you will need to join the seminar

There is no charge for participation in the audioconference.

The WIA does not endorse Rudner Law Offices nor any of their seminars, materials, or information, and will not be held accountable for any such representations. The information above is simply provided as a courtesy to our members.

New Revenue Management Text Now Available

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:00:05 +0000

Click on the image above to order the text from the AH&LA Educational Institute.

Need help with your AH&LA ID Number or not sure if you’re an AH&LA Member? Contact Denise in the WIA office for assistance.

WisconsINN Getaways email marketing program

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:30:05 +0000

With more than 3,500 subscribers, the WisconsINN Getaways email marketing program allows members to reach out to travelers interested in specials and deals for a low investment cost of only $65/ month. Sent the first of every month, the WisconsINN Getaways email blast includes up to ten different WIA member properties promoting a special package, price, bundle or giveaway.

In addition, each month subscribers are eligible to win a free night at a WIA member property as well. To see an online version of the email blast, click here or contact Bill in the WIA office to see the full email blast.

Interested in learning more, including how to participate for free? Email Bill or call the WIA office at (262) 782-2851.

2010 AH&LA Legislative Action Summit

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:41:40 +0000

The WIA is once again heading to Washington D.C. for the 2010 AH&LA Legislative Action Summit:

March 15-16, 2010
J.W. Marriott Hotel
Washington, DC

From AH&LA:

“This is your chance to visit your Senators and Representative and let them know your opinion on pending legislation. There is no better opportunity for hoteliers to come make a big difference on the legislation that matter most to you in 2009 and 2010: economic recovery, health care, card check, and travel.

At the 2010 LAS, you will gain insights from lawmakers and top industry executives on how impending legislation will impact your business decisions. LAS’s Industry CEO panel will feature an in-depth discussion on issues from these top industry leaders:

• Jim Abrahamson, President, The Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Steve Joyce, CEO, Choice Hotels International
• David Kong, President & CEO, Best Western International Inc.
• Christopher Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton Hotels Corporation

With the economy, health care, and card check legislation on the table during the 2010 election year, Congress needs to hear your point of view.”

Click to see the full schedule, accommodation information, or to register now.

For more information on WIA’s scheduled appointments or to join the Wisconsin delegation, please contact the WIA office. In 2009, five WIA members made the trip on behalf of Wisconsin’s lodging industry. Can we get an even stronger showing this year?

View the digital WI Lodging Directory online

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:57:11 +0000

By Michelle Eigenberger
The digital issue of the 2010 Wisconsin Lodging Directory is now ready to view online! Flip through the pages like a regular magazine! Click the ads to be taken directly to advertisers’ Web sites! We’re very excited about this digital upgrade to this year’s publication.

Visit the wisconsinlodging.info homepage and click the image of the Lodging Directory cover to be taken right to the digital edition. Click around and let us know what you like! Feel free to report any bugs or broken links as well. Have you used the Wisconsin Lodging Directory to plan a trip, weekend getaway or stay-cation? Let us know, we’d love to hear about it!

The pdf version of the directory can still be downloaded, just click the link below the image of the cover.

Cooperative advertising opportunities for members

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:28:23 +0000

WIA’s cooperative advertising program offers properties a way to stretch their advertising dollars by taking advantage of our discounted fees. Participants receive increased exposure through a WIA group ad at affordable rates. Looking for new advertising opportunities, but don’t want to invest a fortune to try it out? Then the CoOp program is for you! Contact Bill in the WIA office for more information on these and others throughout 2010:

Deadlines coming up soon:
Wisconsin Meetings, Spring Issue –
Still room available! Distributed to 15,000 + meetings professionals. Final Deadline: February 5th

WSAE (Wisconsin Society of Association Executives), Spring Newsletter –
First of four print opportunities this year. Don’t delay, this one consistently sells out! Deadline: February 8th

Madison-area Digital Billboard –
New digital billboard opportunity on westbound facing billboard located on I-94 east of Madison. Five week run with 21,000 + impressions in the full run. Up to 15 spots available. Deadline: February 12th

On the horizon:
NTA (National Tour Association), Annual Directory –
Annual membership directory for tour operators, suppliers and DMOs. Great exposure to 4,000+ tour professionals. Ad focus – Packaged Tour Travel. Deadline: February 22nd

Six WI metro-markets, Online Banner Ads –
Four week online banner ad campaign on TV station web sites in Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, Green Bay, La Crosse, Eau Claire and Wausau/Rhinelander. Over 1 million guaranteed impressions in run. Limited to 15 participants. Deadline: February 22nd

Wisconsin Trails, May/ June Issue –
New, lower price, same great publication! Readership in Wisconsin & Northern Illinois. Deadline: March 3rd

Connecting Wisconsin’s Lodging Industry… Protecting your Interests

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:00:56 +0000

Becoming a lodging member has great benefits!

Publications
Through both print and electronic communications, members are kept informed of the latest industry news. The quarterly Inn Touch magazine, monthly Innsider e-newsletter and timely e-alerts and legislative briefs put the most current and relevant lodging industry updates and information at your fingertips.

From the latest on revenue management to marketing tips, energy cost-saving strategies to comparative wage data, WIA publications keep members “in the know.”

Information & Resources
Whether you’re looking for money-saving ideas, industry benchmarking data or have regulatory or room tax questions, WIA will provide the answers. Each month the Innsider e-newsletter features the most recent regional Occupancy and ADR data available from Smith Travel Research.

The Innkeepers’ Resource Guide provides answers to members’ most commonly asked questions and can be found online 24/7 at the WIA members’ Web site. Room tax resource pieces are also available to members online. Finally, the Lending Library contains a wide selection of training materials available for complementary member use.

Marketing
Through both print and electronic media, WIA members receive year round exposure.

With more than 220,000 copies of the Wisconsin Lodging Directory currently in circulation, travelers from Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern Illinois find WIA member properties in this popular, easy-to-use, take-along guide.

Also, the traveler-friendly, searchable WisconsinLodging.info Web site draws more than 17,000 searches monthly.

For properties interested in affordable options to stretch marketing dollars, WIA offers electronic venues like the Featured Properties section and the new WisconsINN Getaways e-mail program, as well as an array of niche marketing opportunities (electronic and print) in the popular Cooperative Advertising Program.

Federal Representation
As a partner state of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), WIA participates in national issues affecting Wisconsin’s lodging industry. Each spring, WIA representatives meet with Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. to address issues of concern face-to-face, ensuring your voice is heard.

State Representation
Through both a contract lobbyist and WIA’s President/CEO, WIA ensures the interests of the lodging industry are represented in Madison, providing you a voice in the legislative process so your issues are clearly heard. In 2008, the association’s efforts resulted in an increase in the state lodging per diem rates as well as defending room tax expenditures for marketing and tourism purposes.

Members are kept abreast of relevant legislative issues with timely Legislative Briefs and through the online Legislative Center, located on the members’ Web site.

Legal Information
WIA members have access to free preliminary legal advice from our noted hospitality legal counsel. In 2009, members also received a complementary electronic employment compliance manual, helping to avoid potentially costly employment mistakes.

Click here to see membership rates and Join Today!