THE InterContinental Hotels Group has introduced a new online event management tool aimed at giving corporate and leisure event planners the control to plan, promote and manage their occasions more effectively.
Having enjoyed substantial global success since its inception, the ‘Customised Websites’ facility is now being rolled out in the Middle East and is believed to be unique across the region thanks to its self-service feature which gives both organisers and guests ultimate jurisdiction over a website portal dedicated entirely to their individual event.
“With both corporate and leisure guests becoming increasingly IT savvy, the Customised Websites tool is a natural extension of the InterContinental Hotels Group’s online booking and information systems and its success is now evident across our properties in this region,” said Tom Rowntree, vice-president Sales & Marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East & Africa. “While a personal, one-to-one service will remain our top priority across the group we have listened to what our MICE customers want and this is in-depth involvement in the event planning process as well as the ability to access up-to-date and accurate information themselves at the touch of a button.”
Accessible via InterContinental Hotels Group’s direct websites, there are four different templates to choose from across three categories - meetings, weddings and sports. Each website can also be customised by the event organiser to ensure it exactly meets their needs, allowing for personalisation with banners, photos, messages and self-scripted content on up to four pages.
A function that increases both the efficiency and transparency of the whole process for the organiser is the websites’ integration with other InterContinental Hotels Groups systems, enabling attendees to register and RSVP for an event as well as book their own rooms at the negotiated rate.
Improved communication between the planner and their invitees is the primary benefit identified by users of the ustomised Websites tool. The group’s Customised Websites are becoming essential for the corporate sector, especially for those charged with planning external company meetings on a regular basis, according to the group. The organiser can give invitees instant access to the venue details, directions and dates, as well as sharing the meeting or event agenda, reminders of registration dates or special room discounts. For large companies in particular, customised websites streamline the process around arranging MICE activities and make for efficient planning and execution of the event itself, leaving time to focus on the business in hand while in the office!
“We’re encouraged with the popularity of Customised Websites globally and listening to our guests in the Middle East I believe it will add a differentiating factor for the MICE sector,” said Rowntree.