Looking to fall in love with your next meeting location? The RFP Whisperer teamed up with Cupid to share our thoughts on loving your next destination. Working with the sourcing experts at Smart Meetings 360 Inc., we will take you on a romantic walk through the site-visit experience.
Love at First Site
Finding the right venue can be as challenging as finding the right mate. Remember that site inspections are like first dates—it’s the venue’s opportunity to make a good impression. Make sure you ask a lot of questions and keep an open mind to possibly creating a great relationship.
When you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level, take it slow. It’s easy to get carried away by the romance, but stay level-headed. Keep your options open, as you never know what else is around the corner. Still, you want to see everything they offer. So let them wine and dine you. If the venue doesn’t meet all your expectations, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
Love the Game
Play a little hard to get. If you lay all your cards on the table, there will be very little to negotiate with later. Make sure your deal-breakers are met, such as food and beverage minimums, room rates and meetings space. Then bring up the topic of desired items such as concessions, upgrades and amenities.
Love It or Leave It
If you haven’t been completely captivated, then it may be time to swipe left. It’s important to find the right fit, so don’t settle. Whether you are sourcing for your sales kickoff or conference, you need to love where you stay and make the most of the time you have together.
Happy Valentine’s Day from the RFP Whisperer and all your friends at Smart Meetings 360!
Gayle Klein, Smart Meetings’ global director of meetings and events, is a hospitality and sourcing expert living in San Francisco.
