The Time is Now Initiative is helping us revive the meeting & events segment Sanjeev Tandon General Manager, Courtyard By Marriott Agra

from MICE AFFAIRS M-A-M 2021 Issue

First exhibition in HKCEC in 2021 reinforces value of face to face events

THE TIME IS NOW

Initiative is helping us revive the meeting & events segment- Sanjeev Tandon

General Manager, Courtyard By Marriott Agra

With the marketing opening up, the travel industry is slowly and gradually coming back to normal. Still, MICE business in the travel industry is considered to be the last recovery. There are a lot of factors contributing to this opinion of many.

Venues/Hotels are leaving no stone unturned to attract meetings back to their properties. Mice Affairs Media is trying to get first-hand information from these hotels and venues. In the latest of the series, we are presenting Courtyard By Marriott, Agra

Mr. Sanjeev Tandon, General Manager at Courtyard By Mariott Agra reveals the various initiatives to welcome back MICE events.

Mice Affairs: How Ready Is CBM Agra for MICE Projects?

ST: "At the beginning of 2019, an unprecedented and uncanny situation laid upon the economy. The consequences faced with utter rigidity to change the perception of the people towards the new normal. Hence the significant shift falls in the MICE industry where some changes will be permanent and others will be temporary. The hybrid events will be trending, but in-person and live events will be pivotal to most people including MICE. The hygiene with the quality standard will be the preferred choice, as we focus upon Marriott’s ‘Commitment to Clean’ program. Adding to that, we have spaces and arrangements that can facilitate live meetings without compromising on safety and security. We have sprawling 24,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor banquet spaces. 6 indoor spaces including the magnificent ‘Ballroom’ and the lush outdoor lawns. Event specialists are at hand to assist with planning, implementing, and executing events to perfection with attention to detail. Mice Affairs: Share new developments at the hotel for

MICE Planners. What all can be expected in post covid era at CBM Agra?

ST: Apart from taking necessary precautions for example laying new guidelines for health and hygiene, sanitization and no-touch models of business, etc. there are plans by the management of several units on revised policy planning, cancellation policy, transparent communication with customers, employee management and optimization, etc. Crowd monitoring, use of electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting of public spaces, sanitization stations will be promoted as safety measures for our venues. The hardware and software readiness of the venues will be checked with our property space promoting physical distancing. The true spirit of hospitality lays with the power of resilience, commitment, trust, and handwork. The renunciation of the struggle was exemplified with revival mode through constant adaptation of changes which helped us to re-start the wheel in order to bounce back stronger.

Mice Affairs: Any new strategies to rebuild the

confidence of staging MICE Events

ST: We think regaining guest's confidence ought to be the initial phase, imparting a feeling of well-being in the visitors will play a crucial part. Along these lines, further exacting hygiene and cleanliness estimates are applied across the property, with new practices set up to screen and control the environment wherein the meetings will take place. Communication will play a lead role in connecting with the guests and should be done unobtrusively. Delicate, so it addresses the guests' wellbeing in their preferred choice to plan and voyage once again. As an industry, we ought to be prepared to adjust our strategies towards the guests who have been confined within the limits of their homes. Our global Groups and Events offer ‘The Time Is Now’ is specially tailored to suit individual meeting needs. This initiative is helping us revive the Meeting and Events segment at Courtyard by Marriott Agra.