“Support Associations, Book Official Housing” is a new association meetings campaign which seeks to foster awareness, support and action to protect Associations.
MIAMI, FL – ABTS Convention Services (ABTS), a global company specializing in serving major association meetings in the U.S., launches “Support Associations, Book Official Housing,” a new meetings industry campaign developed in support of growing industry challenges with unofficial or “around the block” bookings. The campaign seeks to inform about the impact and financial loss to Associations which result from booking outside official housing blocks and the steps which can be taken as an industry to protect against this.
“Support Associations, Book Official Housing” outlines how unofficial housing bookings increase the risk of attrition penalties assessed by hotels on Associations for unused pre-contracted rooms, directly impacting Association revenue. Additionally, unsolicited official housing claims often confuse and disappoint members, registrants, and exhibitors and can lead to hidden penalties for them as well, resulting in a decrease of face-to-face meetings, overall attendance, and the sharing of ideas and exchange of information at the global level.
“The campaign will be introduced to industry leaders and will be rolled out to our clients, associations, colleagues and press to help build momentum in the industry,” says Davide Veglia, President of ABTS Convention Services. “We estimate that of the 20 Associations we currently service, international ‘around the block’ bookings alone account for approximately 50 million dollars a year loss. Through industry support and unification as well as the right tool for international planners we can steer the movement back in favor of Associations.”
The campaign will be supported by a free mobile app for meeting planners which will offer easy on-the-go access to hundreds of official hotel inventory selected by and for U.S.
Association annual meetings with pre-contracted hotel rates, dedicated support, protection and flexibility.
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