Hotel Online  Special Report

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150% Growth at Top Channel Marketing Provider
Spurs Creation of VP-Strategic Development Post
to Drive Industry Partnerships

Hospitality Veteran Rita Emmer Tapped for VP of Strategic Development; Marketing Specialist Rick Shaum Heads Sales and Marketing for VIP International

Calgary, Alberta, Canada � October 23, 2003 � VIP International Corporation, a channel marketing provider known as �the number one supplier of reservations per client� to hotel and car rental businesses, announced that growth of more than 150 percent over the past year led to the creation this month of a new management position to drive industry alliances and partnerships.  Rita Emmer, the company�s current vice president of sales, accepted the new Strategic Development leadership post while Vice President Rick Shaum will take over the leadership of both marketing and sales for the company.

�VIP has grown to the point where it needs a dedicated person focused on developing strategic partnerships within our industry,� said Kelly Blake, president of VIP International.  �Rita Emmer�s solid reputation in the travel industry and her extensive knowledge provide us with a significant advantage in strategic development.  Rita will be responsible for leading VIP�s efforts in this new direction of our growth.   Additionally, the merging of sales and marketing into one integrated department under Rick Shaum will allow opportunities for our teams to create synergies for expansion.�  Blake noted that in her role as VP of strategic development, Ms. Emmer will build relationships with major hotel, car rental and airline groups, multi-product software suppliers, PMS vendors, and industry consultants to generate additional revenue through contractual and other agreements.  The combined sales and marketing department will focus on developing new products and services, integrating core processes between the two departments, and extending the reach of VIP�s sales organization.

�With the expected economic upswing, it is more important than ever that we focus our energies on building business partnerships and industry relationships that will make a lasting change,� said Rita Emmer, who speaks English, Spanish and French.  �I see PMS vendor relationships and alliances with multi-product booking engine providers as key to future growth.�  Ms. Emmer has more than 17 years of experience within the hotel and electronic travel distribution industries, and has served as VIP�s vice president of sales for four years. 

As vice president of sales and marketing, Rick Shaum�s mission will be to merge the two departments and take responsibility for day-to-day sales initiatives; he will also evolve VIP�s strategies and services to generate more bookings and revenue.  Shaum has extensive experience in technology and communications management, marketing and sales, as well as a comprehensive background in advertising, human resources, and accounting. 

About VIP International Corporation
VIP International (www.vipintcorp.com) is a channel marketing organization that drives revenue for the hotel and car rental industries through a multi-channel reservation sales center, the adoption of leading-edge technology, and partnerships with clients to provide ongoing education. Founded in 1979, the now privately held Calgary, Alberta-based firm pursues a mission of being "the number one producer of bookings per client."  This is accomplished through mastering the electronic channel marketing environment, developing and implementing strategies for each client's unique position, and educating customers about how to optimize participation in the changing electronic marketplace.  The company is a central distribution point to every viable Internet web site, and to all of the major global distribution systems including Sabre, Galileo, Pegasus, WorldRes, Amadeus, and Worldspan.  Clients include Interstate Hotels and Resorts, Clubhouse Inns and Suites, Candlewood Suites, Bradford Homesuites, Regal Hotels, Best Rate Car Rental, E-Z Rent A Car, and Canadian North Airlines.  VIP International has business development offices in Denver, Colorado; Kansas City, Kansas; Toronto, Ontario; London, United Kingdom; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Hong Kong.  For more information visit www.vipintcorp.com

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Contact:

Rick Shaum
Vice President Sales and Marketing
VIP International Corp.
Main: (403) 269-3566
[email protected]
Cell: (719) 487-0789



 
Also See VIP International Boosts Hotel Reservation Services, Selects Voxify to Reduce Costs for Clients, Enhance Call Center Efficiency / October 2003
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Business Travelers, Consumers Grab Lower Rental Car Rates, Book Online from Independent Agency Site / September 2003
E-Z Rent A Car Perfects Internet Strategy to Boost Reservations 20% in 2003 / September 2003
WorldRes Agreement Gives VIP International Hotels Second �Low-Fee� Merchant Model Program / Aug 2003
Top Channel Marketing Provider VIP International Taps Industry Veteran to Power Marketing Efforts, Funnel 158% Growth  / Aug 2003
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Hotel Owner/Operators Disclose Secrets of Web Booking Success / June 2003
Dave Crawford Appointed Director of Airline and Auto Rental Business Development for VIP International / June 2003
Hotel Company Sharpens Channel Management for 22% Increase in Average Length of Stay for GDS Bookings, 14% Jump in ADR / June 2003
Interstate Hotels, Candlewood Suites, Regal Hotels, Canadian North Airlines Shift Call Center Responsibility to VIP: Interstate To Pass Along 8% to 10% Savings to Properties; Regal Hotels up 26% / May 2003
Zero Transaction Fees: Independent Hotels, Chains Profit from Landmark Agreement; Manage Discounted Rooms Through Central Res Systems at No Cost / May 2003
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Signs Five-Year Agreement with VIP International to Outsource Call Center; Expects to Pass Along 8 Percent to 10 Percent Savings, Increased Revenue to Hotels / April 2003
Hong Kong�s Largest Hotel Operator Sees Reservation Numbers Jump 26 Percent In First 10 Months of 2002, Increases Global Presence with New Reservation Sales Provider / February 2003
Canadian North Chooses Calgary-based VIP International to Provide Voice Reservation and Support services / January 2003
Midwestern Chain Targets Value-Conscious Senior Market; Picks New Channel Marketing Provider to Power Goal of 100% Increase in Bookings / January 2003
Midwestern Management Firm Gains 69% Increase in GDS Reservations YTD at 12 �Enhanced Limited-Service� Properties / Dec 2002
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Four Star Calgary Hotel Reports 42% Increase in Bookings During Initial Period With New Channel Marketing Provider / Nov 2002

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