 MCLEAN,
VA - June 29, 2009 - Cvent, the emerging leader in group business lead
channels for hotels and the premier provider of event
management, site
selection and sourcing solutions for meeting and event planners has
established a strategic marketing partnership with Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide. Starwood Hotels secured preferred placement on the Cvent
Supplier Network in order to increase exposure to thousands of qualified
meeting and event planners who use the Cvent Supplier Network electronic
RFP tool. Starwood has preferred positioning in major markets throughout
the United States on the Cvent Supplier Network and throughout the Cvent
Destination Guide, the most comprehensive informational resource for meeting
and event planners. Unlike other group business channels, the Cvent Supplier
Network electronic RFPs are well qualified and targeted. On average, a
Cvent RFP is sent to only 9 properties, giving Starwood properties a chance
to earn consistent and unique group business with Cvent's audience of meeting
planners.
"Hotels are more selective about how they deploy marketing dollars in today's economy. An online channel like the Cvent Supplier Network offers hotels cost-effective marketing options and a true return on investment. The average contract value for Cvent Supplier Network electronic RFPs is $68,000 and hotels can establish direct contact with qualified meeting planners who are using the Cvent Supplier Network when they are ready to buy," says Bharet Malhotra, Cvent Vice President of Sales. "We are pleased to partner with Starwood and to provide our meeting planners with direct access to Starwood properties during the sourcing process." Starwood established the partnership with Cvent to generate quality lead flow for its Sheraton and Westin brands. "The group business lead quality from the Cvent Supplier Network speaks for itself. Over the past 120 days, Cvent Supplier Network meeting planners have booked over 10,000 sleeping rooms at Starwood properties. That was a key driver in our decision to enhance our partnership with the Cvent Supplier Network, said Brian Povinelli, Vice President Brand Management for Sheraton and Westin. Starwood is also using the Network to promote its 'Value Added Meeting Promotion' one of the best deals in the industry, through the Cvent Supplier Network. This Cvent Supplier Network promotion includes a 4% discount off the master bill and complimentary food and beverage breaks. The meeting planner will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a charitable concert for their community starring Grammy-nominated singer Natasha Bedingfield." All Cvent Supplier Network planners who book meetings before March 31, 2010 will be eligible for this promotion. About Cvent Founded in 1999, Cvent has over 475 employees worldwide. Cvent offers web-based software with features including online event registration, event management, event website creation, meeting site selection, event sourcing and web surveys. Cvent helps over 14,000 planners manage 175,000 events, surveys and marketing campaigns per year. Cvent clients have sent over 500 million event invitations, have processed $1 billion in online payments and have managed over 10 million event registrations and responses using Cvent's software. For more information on Cvent's web-based software, please visit www.cvent.com. About Starwood Hotels Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 960 properties in 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft, and Element. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com. |