Biggest Names Make Deals at Resorts & Great Hotels' Fall Summit

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. October 14, 2008

WINTER PARK, FL, November 6, 2006. The biggest names in luxury resorts and hotels converged in October for one of the most innovative events in the travel industry, Resorts & Great Hotel's Fall 2006 Private Meetings Summit. Representatives from Le Meridien, Hyatt Hotels, Wynn Las Vegas, the Sundance Resort and many other properties made unique deals with the travel industry's most prominent meeting and incentive planners at this extraordinary gathering.

Held October 15-18 at Le Royal Meridien King Edward in Toronto and the Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka, Ontario, the Summit was highly efficient: Each property met with buyers in prescheduled 30-minute appointments. The decision-making meeting planners are matched electronically with the resort or hotel that meets their needs. "The distinct and efficient format provided a unique means to successfully plan and book meetings," says Ron Gebhardt, publisher of Meeting Traveler and its upscale travel guide Resorts & Great Hotels, producers of the Private Meetings Summit.

The Summit had the leaders in the industry raving. "I have been attending trade shows, conferences and just about every function our industry requires for eight years," said Ann Barbieri, senior sales manager for Le Parker Meridien Palm Springs. "The RGH Private Meetings Summit has been the best by far. This was the first time I have participated in the RGH program and it was the most productive. The one-on-one discussions with the pre-qualified meeting planners allowed me to cut to the chase and discuss my property with those who had a genuine interest."

"Great event," added Noel Mateo, national sales manager for Wynn Las Vegas. "The time was well-spent building and continuing relationships with past clients and also getting acquainted with and meeting new clients."

"Sundance booked over $50,000 of room nights as a result of our first Private Meetings Summit," said Chad Linebaugh, co-general manager of the Sundance Resort. "We also received over seven qualified leads from the most recent Summit that we are still following up with. The format of the event and the quality of planners fits well with our business."

Planners agreed the Summit was a success. "Having just returned from the 2006 Summit in Canada, I can honestly say it was time well-spent! The personalized appointment schedule assured that we were able to meet and have quality time with suppliers of our choosing, and the variety of special events gave us even more time to meet and network with others. Overall it was a great opportunity for planners to have quality time in which to conduct business. The fact that we were also given site inspections with multiple facilities made this even more beneficial. I would definitely participate again," said Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP president of TML Services of Orlando, Florida.

Since its launch in 2002, the Private Meetings Summit has become the industry standard and is now produced twice a year by Resorts & Great Hotels. Plans are already being finalized for the next Summit, which will take place May 6-9, 2007, in Cancun.