SMM Benchmarking Survey Update: Technology Takes SMM Further
A recent survey by Business Travel News shows that although procurement departments have held steady in their
involvement in meetings management over the last two years,
their involvement in meetings management in the future is
quickly changing.
"However, the role of procurement has evolved from its initial perception as strictly a cost-cutting endeavor," states BTN.
Procurement roles are now evolving into a
supportive role for meeting buyers, allowing the
chance to develop, introduce, and incorporate new strategic
meetings management initiatives and technology into current programs. Read article.
Continuing results from StarCite’s Strategic
Meetings Management Benchmarking survey show that companies which
have technology driven programs are more successful and impactful
than those programs that are not technology driven. The
survey also indicates that those companies who use StarCite
technology have more mature and sophisticated SMM programs
compared to those who don't. To participate in StarCite's benchmarking survey, and
develop your business case,
click here.
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Green Power Coming to Hotel Contracts
According to Financial and Insurance Meetings, "Green Power" is coming to hotel contracts. "Kim Boriin,
CMP, is greening his hotel contracts. The senior events
marketing specialist at Guardian Investor Services LLC, New
York, now has a clause 'saying that we are concerned with
sustainable business practices and want to know that you
are, too.
'Just
raising awareness with your hotel gets the ball rolling,'" Read full article.
StarCite's RFP can be configured to match your company's meeting requirements. You can ask questions about a supplier's environmental initiatives.
Send an email for more information on StarCite's eRFP and sourcing capabilities.
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Portugal
Get "inside" information to
great meeting locations through StarCite's Free
Destination 101 webinars.
Join StarCite for a
30-minute webinar about Portugal.
Hear from Top Atlantico, our DMC in Portugal,
how your next incentive trip can generate great
memories.
Speaker:
Carlos Ramos
President
Top Atlantico
December 5, 2007
2:00 PM EST
Click
here to register
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StarCite Introduces New Customer Service Knowledgebase
StarCite is introducing an exciting new customer service
and Help support option, beginning in 2008. The new StarCite
Knowledgebase will provide full time support from the Help section of all of StarCite's solutions. Customers will find accurate
answers to questions through the multiple support
channels that include searches, FAQs, and eventually forums, live chats, and
more.
The powerful search and retrieval methodologies the
Knowledgebase provides allow customers to receive rapid responses, while giving StarCite insight on how to
improve content for our customers. The Help articles
retrieved from the Knowledgebase will be easier to find and
easier to read. New articles will be
written every day based on actual customer calls and emails.
The StarCite Knowledgebase will be available on all
StarCite platforms. Keep an eye on the help menu- the new
StarCite Knowledgebase is coming soon!
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Feature Destinations |
| Jumeirah Essex House |
A New York City
Landmark
New York City's landmark Jumeirah Essex House
has entered a new phase of its rich 75-year
history as we complete a $100M soft-goods
makeover to include 500 guest rooms, new lobby
lounge, new spa/fitness, and new celebrity chef
restaurant, all overlooking Central Park South.
For more information, visit
www.jumeirahessexhouse.com.
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| Fiesta Americana
Grand Aqua |
Discover Aqua Paradise
Found in serene Caribbean shores. Immerse
your senses in a thousand shades of blue. Tend
to your soul and watch your spirits soar. Your
day in the sun has arrived.
The captivating beauty of Mexico's Yucatan
peninsula. The raw energy of colorful Cancun.
The ancient remains of the mysterious Mayan
civilization. Welcome to Fiesta Americana Grand
Aqua Cancun- where mingling elements converge to
create a cerulean oasis like no other. Whether
you're seeking a restful sanctuary, unbridled
exhilaration, or something in between, you'll
find it here.
Stage dazzling group events or lavish
banquets, and leave all the details to us. From
spectacular soirees to tasteful business
meetings, our special events team will
flawlessly execute your next gathering.
For more information call 1-800-345-5094
or
groupdesk@posadas.com.
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| Detroit Marriott at
the Renaissance Center |
Other Hotels
are
Green with Envy
From a 100% smoke-free atmosphere to
choosing environmentally-friendly suppliers, Detroit
Marriott at the Renaissance Center leads the
industry in many "green" initiatives. We are proud
to be the recipient of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency 2006 Energy Star award.
Premier
Location and Breathtaking Views
The 73-floor hotel soars above the city with
1,298 guest rooms featuring spectacular views.
100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space,
including one of the largest ballrooms in Michigan
make Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center the
premier venue for events in the Midwest. Detroit
Marriott at the Renaissance Center is located in the
heart of downtown, with easy access to Riverwalk,
casinos, cultural and sporting venues, and to over
100 restaurants.
Book your next meeting by March 31, 2008 during
our Value Dates and receive rates as low as
$129/night. Visit
detroitmarriott.com or call 1-313-568-8300. |
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| Argentina |
Seductress
of South America
Remerging as one of the world's
hottest travel destinations, Argentina has also
become one of the most affordable. Millions of
tourists travel to this expansive country each year,
the 8th largest country in the world, to dance the
night away in Buenos Aires, to indulge in the
breathtaking scenery of Bariloch, "the Switzerland
of South America" and to sip Argentine wines at the
base of Iguazú, the most spectacular waterfall in
the Western hemisphere.
Whether it's the irrepressible
rhythm of the Argentine culture that entices today's
tourists to experience firsthand the diverse riches
of this country, the scenic natural treasures that
remain unequalled the world over or the superb
accommodations and first-class services of a vibrant
tourism infra-structure in its great urban centers
and countryside counterparts, the reasons for making
Argentina your MICE destination of choice are
equally compelling.
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| Ireland |
A Jewel of a
Country, a Gem of an Incentive Destination
It's not just the spectacular beauty that makes
the Emerald Isle a
favorite travel destination. This small country
is also home to some of the world's most
acclaimed castle hotels, recreational activities
that never fail to lure avid sportsmen to its
treasured courses, and historic monuments that
speak volumes about the impregnable character of
its people. But that's just a glint of the
treasures that keep "Irish eyes a smiling."
From bustling cosmopolitan
cities to serene countryside, welcoming
hospitality is as much a part of the Irish
landscape as are the rolling pastures and rocky
coasts that have been immortalized in
award-winning literary works. |
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StarCite's Benchmarking Survey Update: Technology
Takes SMM Further |
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Green
Power Coming to Hotel Contracts |
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StarCite Introduces New
Customer Service Knowledgebase |
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StarCite Deal Broadens
Supplier Palette |
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Double your points now with goldpoints plus for
plannersSM
Earn double points on meetings booked between 10/28/2007 and
1/31/2008. Goldpoints plus for planners allows you to earn
valuable Gold Points for meetings and events held at the Carlson
Family of Hotels worldwide. We are certain you will enjoy new
and improved earning and redemption opportunities. If you are
not yet a member,
enroll today!
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StarCite
Destination Division Partners with DMI
StarCite earlier
this month announced an alliance with DMI, which provides
national sales office services to hotels, convention and
visitors bureaus and destination management companies. The
alliance will blend the companies' supplier portfolios and sales
and marketing.
"We're very excited about this new alliance,
which expands our portfolio of suppliers and essentially doubles
our sales force with the addition of DMI staff," StarCite's
managing director for international markets Mark Phillips said
in a prepared statement.
StarCite's Destination Marketing division provides planners with a host of resources and a roster of proven global suppliers and destination managment companies who can help plan successful meetings in exciting destinations around the globe. For more information send email.
Business Travel News, 11/19/07 |
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Benchmarking
Data and Analysis for Financial Executives Webinar
Featuring Vishal Patel, Research Analyst, Aberdeen Group
Meetings and events represents a category of
spend and expense that is not easily controlled or audited.
StarCite has surveyed its large client base of Global 1000
companies, compiling and aggregating the most comprehensive and
up-to-date benchmarking study of meetings and events data
available.
This webcast will explore the findings in detail and outline the
processes and controls that these best-in-class organizations
have implemented.
Register now! |
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A consummate host for Florida groups and meetings
Saddlebrook Resort provides you with over 95,000 sq. ft.
of versatile meeting and function space ideal for every
style event. Attendees can easily walk from large conference
sessions to break-out meetings in a matter of seconds.
Within this very comfortable setting, we readily
accommodate groups from 10 to 1,000 people. Our dedicated
staff of catering and conference services managers
anticipate everything and will coordinate your groups needs,
from pre-planning until departure, to ensure your event’s
success.
For business gatherings from corporate meetings,
conferences, sales meetings, and new product introductions,
to association and board meetings, Saddlebrook offers a host
of venues and amenities to meet all of your needs.
Develop dynamic group bonding at our Team-building Course,
or one of two Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Courses.
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