Chapter Workshop: Room Blocks are Dead, What’s Ahead?

As conference organizers are struggling with declining in-block booking rates and increasing competition from online travel agencies and apartment rental websites, the business model of signing hotel contracts for a conference is in great jeopardy. Furthermore, it’s creating serious disruption in how many convention bureaus deliver value to both their clients and their hotel members and putting in jeopardy the room night-based subventions offered by many destinations. So how can planners continue to provide their attendees with the convenience of booking accommodation in protected room inventory and maintain the advantages linked to securing hotel contracts? Stay22 has designed a unique business solution that allows conference planners to deliver even greater value to their attendees by streamlining housing bookings without the headache of signing contracts, collect valuable business data on where their participants are staying and what accommodation they are most interested in, and generate revenue from a wider-than-before array of sources.

Speakers:

A panel of experts will discuss the impact of such tools in our industry.  A discussion you will not want to miss!

Andrew Lockhead is a lucky serial entrepreneur in the tourism & entertainment industry who is always looking at finding new ways to improve the attendee experience. Through his various entrepreneurship experiences, he has sought to disrupt and challenge the industry in a way that is driving results and generating innovative solutions which has catapulted his latest venture, Stay22, way ahead of the pack. He’s a conscious leader who believes in building trust and fostering an effective collaborative culture amongst his team. Stay22 was recently awarded the “Coup de coeur” award at the Association pour le développement de la recherche et de l’innovation du Québec (ADRIQ) (Quebec association for the development of research and innovation).

Geneviève Leclerc has 25 years of experience in congress management and consultancy for associations, having worked for a PCO as well as international associations. She currently works with international associations and DMOs on embracing change and creating value. She’s passionate about applying design thinking and lean startup practices to accompany organizations through innovation. As a disruptive thinker, Geneviève loves to challenge established processes in order to design creative solutions. She also has a keen interest for how associations use technologies to accomplish high-level goals. Geneviève volunteers on many projects that apply social innovation principles and generate social impact. Most recently, she has founded a network of international associations in Montreal and is very active on the social innovation scene in her home city.

Anita Carlyle is the  Managing Partner/Owner of MCC, Moore Carlyle Consulting, a Full-Service Meeting, Event and Destination Management Company in its 30th year of operation.  Anita manages a team of professionals that execute over 100 events per year ranging from intimate board meetings to conferences with more than 1000 attendees.  She proudly represents the organization in the industry and, specifically PCMA, FICP, Tourism Toronto and Niagara Falls Tourism. Anita offers MCC’s clients her experience and knowledge amassed in over 28 years in the hospitality and tourism industry. Specifically, her hotel sector experience includes 15 years with InterContinental Hotel Group, Hockey Valley Resort, Ramada and Hilton Hotels Worldwide before moving to the planning side of the business where she has now been employed for 10 years.  Anita has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Hospitality and Tourism along with her CMP and CMM designations. A trusted advisor, Anita guides her clients as they select the best destination and location to host their important events. She also leverages both her experience and advanced education in Strategic Meeting Management to negotiate contracts,  reduce risk and ensure maximum value and ROI for their projects.

Jennifer Labrosse has over 19 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Her various roles include operations, events and sales. At the beginning of her career, Jennifer worked for an independently managed hotel in Mont-Tremblant, then pursued with Intrawest – time sharing division before moving to the city of Montréal. She continued her path with Delta Hotels and Resorts and Marriott Hotels working in group sales on various markets. Over the years, she became intrigued by associations and non-profit organizations. In 2017 Jennifer embraced her new role as Manager, Meeting and Convention Sales for Tourism Montréal and is responsible for Canadian and International associations. Most recently, she joined the PCMA education and communications committees. As an ambassador for the city, her focus is continually on connecting various worldwide leaders to create successful networks and business opportunities for Montréal and its partners. Jennifer can be described as a determined individual who drives solutions and results. She is passionate about her city and is a strong believer that she represents the best city in the world.

Registration: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Workshop: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

$45 (plus HST) for members
$60 (plus HST) for non-members*
$25 (plus HST) for students and faculty

*non-members who register for both the workshop and chapter reception can receive a $10 discount. Please reach out to [email protected] for more details.

Details subject to change

Thank you to our Host Venue: