Meeting planning automation is the newest hospitality phrase on the block. You may not have heard of it, but I guarantee you’ve dreamt about it.
After being in the event industry for 10 years, I’ve noticed some of the struggles planners have shouldered for far too long: communication gaps, inefficient operational strategies, scheduling nightmares.
Sound familiar? If so, you’ll want to learn about meeting planning automation and how the most innovative hospitality technology companies are harnessing it to provide the tools to do your job more effectively.
Defining Meeting Planning Automation
Meeting planning automation refers to software platforms and technologies designed for the hospitality community to alleviate time spent on minor details by automating repetitive tasks, thus allowing planners to focus more strategically on their events.
Examples of Meeting Planning Automation
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology: The future of events is digital, and this wireless, non-contact system is elbowing its way into that landscape. RFID wristbands are increasingly appearing at festivals and large-scale events, including Coachella and Bonnaroo.
Most RFID wristbands contain short-range (typically 3-5 cm), passive tags and don’t require batteries; instead, they are powered when placed near or tapped against an RFID reader. One tap and the information stored in the tag (credit card numbers, social media accounts, ticket status, etc.) is transferred.
Collaborative planning technology: Google Drive has more than 120 million users. The cloud-based service has obliterated the need for desktop documents through its extensive suite of applications. This falls under the meeting planning automation umbrella by providing instant accessibility and real-time collaboration on documents used for communication during the planning process.
Professional connection technology: Events require staff, and we all know good staff are hard to find. Companies like Elance were created specifically to address that need, and to keep you away from the dreaded white pages. With 8 million freelancers available to work and more than 2 million companies currently signed on as customers, the site provides a seamless transactional marketplace that has thus far generated $750 million of work. Meeting planning automation is evident here through directly engaging two services, each with a need for one another, with the click of a button.
Industry Giants Utilizing Meeting Planning Automation
The recent boom in mergers and acquisitions in the hospitality industry suggests a pointed shift toward meeting planning automation, as companies scramble to provide entire ecosystems of travel to their customers from one integrated platform.
After Priceline bought Bouteeq, it roundhouse-kicked the competition to acquire Hotel Ninjas. Then it went after OpenTable.
Westgate Resorts acquired the 28-resorts in the LVH-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino portfolio.
When Oracle purchased Micros, it expanded its reach into 30,000 hotels.
These consolidations present another case study in the advancement of MPA in the hospitality market space by providing planners access to standardized procedures. By combining their operations, these companies seek to create a funnel of efficient communication and service between their brands—opening up massive time saving opportunities for planners.
The Future of Meeting Planning Automation
Take a moment now to consider the apps and products you currently use. How many of them fall under the definition of meeting planning automation? The truth is that you’ve likely been engaged with the concept and didn’t even know it.
That’s because the future of meeting planning automation within the hospitality industry is now.
Meeting planning automation harnesses the best technologies available to make events and programming successful. Small technology companies to industry powerhouses understand the crucial role that it plays on their success.
How are you utilizing the future?
This article was originally written for Special Events.
The post What You Need to Know About Meeting Planning Automation appeared first on Social Tables Event Planning Blog.