The importance of good meetings and events based facilities at hotels

The importance of in person interaction through meetings and events

Tony Marrinan General Mana G er at Hilton n iseko Villa G e, Japan

If we have learnt anything from the past few years is that you cannot replace that human connection with Zoom meetings and FaceTime communication. Of course, they have their place and they allowed us to keep in touch with our family, friends and colleagues when travel was restricted. However, in the end we all longed for that face to face connection, a simple handshake, a meal together and a great conversation. So, just like with our families, it was the same for our work colleagues especially if your business is part of a global company and travel for meetings and conferences is part of your schedule.

I understand that technology plays a huge part in successful meetings and events and the wow factor is a key component of a successful event and can create excitement and long lasting visual images. There will always be a need for teleconferences and hybrid meetings but let’s never underestimate the power of face to face communication and human interaction.

Many companies and organisations have recently held their first annual conference event, in three long years, and the overwhelming comment you regularly hear is that “how good is it to meet in person once again”. Things that were once taken for granted now have a refreshed sense of urgency and importance. The hotel and travel industry is at the centre of all this activity, as we provide the backdrop for all these reunions to take place. Apart from the business aspect, we, in the hotel industry, must see the privileged position we find ourselves in, as we provide the stage for this great reconnection to take place. Conrad Hilton’s vision, and it remains Hilton’s vision for over 100 years is that “it is our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality”. Now is the time to step up to the mark and show the power of hospitality.

Good meetings and events spark creativity, share alignment and allow a message to circulate and cascade throughout an organisation. When you combine your objectives with shared “downtime” this creates a strong common bond. So, I believe that hotels with events based facilities have an edge if your delegates can enjoy golf, skiing, city activities etc. together. These “soft” areas of meetings and events, when performed sensitively, can set the tone for the future success, and often create the secret sauce which allows people to re-energize and thrive within their organisation. Of course, many organisations love to give back to communities and their chosen partnerships, so one day of the meeting may be an activity in the community, which creates a team with shared values, and leaves a positive impact on, not only, the receiver but also the giver. Again this demonstrates the importance of connectivity.

I believe that hotels with great meetings and events space will see a bright future, as this segment gathers pace in its recovery. We need to fire up our teams, within the hotel and travel industry, and constantly remind them of the responsibility we share to ensure it all goes according to plan. We all know the amount of planning that needs to happen, to make a successful event, and it can sometimes seem overwhelming, but I am always reminded of one of my favourite quotes from John Ruskin (Victorian Art Critic) “Quality is never an accident, It is always the result of intelligent effort”

So I am glad to put all the Zoom and doom behind me! We have had some tough years and our industry was hit hard, but now we can look forward, with optimism, and welcome back meetings and events just like we would greet a long lost friend. BTI