Hello, may name is Victor Bao, I am the President of Valorem Group North America, and I wanted to take a few moments to personally tell you about Valorem Group and some of the things we have planned for 2006.
Valorem Group is the largest hotel representation firm of international hotels in the North American market space. We currently represent over 120 international hotels and resorts in 30 countries from around the world. Some of the world’s largest corporate hotel groups use Valorem’s sales force as a nexus between them and their international franchises, and over 25% of our current hotel portfolio uses us as their exclusive national sales office.
Valorem is not a lead generating representation firm. We are the hotel’s sales force, and work with planners until every one of their needs are met and the contract is signed. We do not dedicate our efforts to sending leads to several competing hotels in one same city. As with any reputable firm, we match the client’s need with the hotel offering, so not all requests for becoming part of our resort portfolio are accepted.
If you look through our hotel and resort listings, you’ll note that our clients have been with for at least 4 years, and that we have only reduced our portfolio of hotels by 1% in the last two years. This is an indicator that planner and hotels trust Valorem Group.
In 2005, Valorem Group placed close to 92,000 room nights into our portfolio of hotels, and we hope to make a greater impact on the market in 2006 with our partners. We have a long list of trade show we will be attending on behalf of our clients this year, as Valorem, we understand what technology has done for our capabilities, but recognize the importance of face-to-face interaction and the need to keep our fingers on the pulse of the American Planner.
2006 will also change Valorem’s mix of sales and marketing as it continues to grow in its consulting contracts with hotels and travel companies who are searching for innovation and organic market growth efforts. We’ve recently been contracted by Crystal Hospitality Holdings, the new owners of Sun Trips, to help turn around their marketing enterprise and turn them into the leading tour operator on the west coast. Hotels such as Las Brisas have recently turned to us for innovation in an industry that for a long time has mimicked itself.
In 2006, Valorem will launch the first viable Planner Classification System. After two years of meeting planning and incentives research we will provide hotel and resort groups-specific information to planners using the most incredible technological platforms taken from our experience with movies and studios. We will keep you posted on this groundbreaking tool as we get ready to launch mid 2006.
Please subscribe to our monthly Valorem Travel Cast where you will hear from many of our hotel General Managers, Area VPs, Tourism Board Presidents, and local travel authorities about what’s going on in the world of meetings and incentives. You may even have a few offers at the end of the Travel Casts you can use for your next group to places like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Scotland, and even Palau. Because in this industry we are all time poor, you can have these Travel Casts sent directly to your ipod or MP3 Players, and we will always try to make it more exciting than the last few minutes you’ve just spent with me.
Again, I want to welcome you to Valorem Group, and remain at your disposal for whatever commentary or needs you may have. I’d love to hear from you regarding groups and incentives needs.
