The experience of visiting the BCHA Summit Marketplace always brings excitement to the conference attendees.  The two-day event combines essential networking opportunities, breakthrough technology, and fresh ideas that help hotels succeed. The true value creation starts after the conference concludes.  The newly gained knowledge, together with new connections and tools, needs to be converted into specific results which enhance sales performance pays off for hotels.

Notes and Insights

The abundance of information at the tradeshow creates an overwhelming experience for all participants. My first task following the event involved thoroughly evaluating all conference materials and notes that I collected. I attended a lot of thought-provoking and educational presentations along with discussion panels, and spoke with vendors while collecting business cards from them.  

Marketplace Vendors

There was a lot of interesting vendors that offered many solutions for hoteliers to consider for their operations and sustainability approaches.

I met with Ludo Siouffi of Fox Fold, during the conference to discuss his company’s sustainable packaging solutions. The sustainable products from Fox Fold present an opportunity for a hotel to enhance its eco-friendly practices. The addition of sustainable products would attract environmentally aware guests because they prefer hotels with sustainable practices.

I discussed property management systems with Tommy Kalita of Mews and Ryan Killeen’s presentation on using this PMS for his small hotel in Toronto called The Annex. They presented an opportunity to enhance hotel operations and deliver better guest experiences. I would suggest you arrange a demo appointment to determine whether this technology suits your hotel operations.

I was particularly interested in some of the suggestions that Shane Bichin of Bichin Laundry Equipment provided about how efficient laundry operations can reduce operational costs, thereby freeing up resources that could be used for more aggressive marketing efforts or promotions aimed at increasing direct bookings. 

Joe Reid, representing GreenStep and their consulting services, caught my attention for another vendor looking to provide a better environment for your hotel guests. Sustainability initiatives will always receive positive attention, which will attract eco-conscious travellers who want to spend more money on environmentally friendly properties.

Follow Up with Connections

Building relationships was a primary focus at the Summit, so maintain contact with the people you encountered.  The hoteliers and vendors, and speakers I met at the event received personalized messages from me during the first few days following the conference. My message were personal through references to the unique dialogue we shared or distinctive moments from our contact.

Vancouver Hotel Development Task Force

This task force, which is comprised of Ingrid Jarrett of IJK Consulting, Pietra Basili of Cascadia Partners, Royce Chwin, Destination Vancouver, and Matt Burke, City of Vancouver discussed the MNP Reports findings for essential growth for Vancouver’s large metropolitan area and British Columbia’s smaller towns. The global competitiveness of Vancouver will increase through its requirement of 10,000 additional hotel rooms and its rezoning of areas for larger hotels. The emerging trend of pod or capsule hotels provides smaller properties with opportunities to diversify their offerings and attract new customer segments. The Hotel Task Force recommendations for local economic revitalization and new hotel development, and better financing options will help smaller towns boost tourism while creating employment opportunities. Hotel owners can achieve market share growth through these actions, which benefit from innovation incentives in the evolving market.

Turning Summit Takeaways into Hotel Success

The conference insights need to be translated into practical strategies after finishing the initial steps. Hotels can achieve operational efficiency and discover new growth opportunities by putting into practice the tools and ideas obtained from the event. Your hotel will achieve better performance through each action that could include implementing Mews’ PMS technology, Bichin Laundry Equipment cost reduction solutions, Fox Fold and GreenStep sustainability integration, as well as all the other vendors that make up the entire Marketplace. The Vancouver Hotel Development Task Force recommendations will give your property a strategic advantage to succeed in both urban centers and smaller towns, which will lead to long-term market success.