Langham Hotels International has launched a No Strings Attached pledge, meaning planners are not liable if they cancel the event or do not manage to sign up the agreed number of delegates.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, meanwhile, has launched an incentive with PepsiCo, including the chance to have pop star Natasha Bedingfield sing at a private event.
Langham is guaranteeing a waiver of cancellation terms, no attrition charges if minimum hotel room commitment is not met, no food and beverage minimums and no internet charges on all new bookings made until March 2010.
‘Planners still want to conduct business but they want the venues, especially hotels, to be more flexible and responsive,’ said Alison Styles, vice president of sales at Langham.
The Starwood/Pepsico promotion gives meeting planners that book ten or more room nights 4% off their master account plus a complimentary morning or afternoon refreshment break from PepsiCo.
It applies to bookings made until 31 August for meetings until the end of March 2010.
Additionally, companies will have a chance to win a private concert with Grammy-nominated Bedingfield for a charity of their choice.
The pop star will perform an intimate concert in the name of the winning company’s favourite charity in November or December 2009.
The offer is available at Starwood’s North America properties including the brands Westin, Sheraton, Le Méridien, W, Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, Element and Aloft.
‘Meetings and incentives are a critical component that will help jump start business and ultimately serve as a catalyst to economic recovery,’ said David Marr, Starwood’s senior vice president of brand management, North America.
See also:
Report forecasts decline in MICE budgets (23/03/2009)
MICE organisers invited to join the Club (19/03/2009)
Radisson launches ten-for-nine MICE deal (27/02/2009)
Starwood to add 20,000 rooms (25/04/2008)
Starwood launches MICE website (27/11/2007)