Technology platform 1000meetings has launched an RFP tool that simplifies the process for buyers and sellers featuring an inventory of 20,000 hotels in more than 500 cities, representing 50 countries.
Explaining how its inventory is different, founding and managing partner Julien Delerue said 1000meetings “curates” hotels specifically for the Asian buyer, identifying buyer demand or future need, for example, in Brazil.
According to Delerue, the system – built over the years since its founding in 2008 – is simple and saves time. Previously, buyers who needed to send 10 RFPs now spent just six minutes instead of 165 previously, and have access to a “unique 1000meetings comparative chart”.
He explained: “Meeting planners don’t have to chase hotels for answers, and (the intuitive platform) is very simple for hotels to implement, with no lengthy training.”
Hotels, Delerue added, also do not have to prepare a full proposal and provide the rate and availability. Most will also be able to respond within four hours, and 1000meetngs employs 24-hour data tracking if there is a delay.
Recently, 1000meetings signed a global agreement with two hotel chains, and will be providing “next-level response and connectivity” with the first partner rolling out in January.
“We are also building connectivity with smaller and new hotel chains, he noted.
Offline, 1000meetings is identifying and expanding its destination content “to match client expectation”, where “expense per head is 20 per cent higher”, and buyers have become more adventurous and want to experience new and different places.
On the impact of generative artificial intelligence, Delerue said the industry still relied heavily on “human connectivity and touch”, but the technology was useful to generate content and analyse data. This comes as supplier clients were asking about using AI to assist and analyse the latest trends in rates, and data on RFPs.
1000meetings will also be deepening its presence in Singapore and South-east Asia and its Asian relevance, where Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are seen to have a lot of potential for longhaul and incentive trips.
