Radisson Hotel Group

Angela Graun

As business travel rebounds, there are certain changes to the way we conduct business meetings and events which will remain effective following the pandemic. One of the positive outcomes was a strong focus on technological innovation. At the start of the pandemic, Radisson Hotel Group was one of the first global hotel groups to launch its Hybrid Rooms and Meetings, followed by additional innovations such as Rapid Testing Services and remote Broadcasting Studios to aid clients in keeping business moving forward. The Group’s Hybrid Rooms and Meetings offering was already in development in 2019 when we saw a shift in market trends where international businesses were looking to host joint meetings, but at times it was difficult to get all parties in the same room. Likewise, the business traveler was looking for rooms and suites that offered more than the standard hotel room amenities, but also functioned as an office with the relevant technology and IT connectivity to do so. Hybrid Meetings combine the best of in-person and virtual meetings by offering a reliable image, sound and video conferencing system, dual screens, wireless presentation clicker, and high-speed internet connection. Radisson Hotel Group partnered with Zoom to provide a smooth experience with specialist in-house event teams to assist clients in delivering a range of events from hybrid multi-site meetings to broadcasting events. Meeting organizers can offer virtual participation options and hybrid formats that allow for small local gatherings, while also broadcasting to remote attendees and satellite locations. In Summer 2021, Hybrid Meetings and Rooms were especially popular in markets like the Nordics, where the easing of restrictions allowed people to resume gathering in person.

Although face-to-face events and meetings are expected to increase in 2022 with many countries lifting restrictions for small events, hybrid meetings and technology will continue to be crucial for the meetings and events sector. According to a recent survey from Skift and TripActions, more than 73 percent of business travelers believe that when it comes to getting things done, meeting in person is more effective than meeting virtually. In the same survey, more than 62 percent believe that remote work will change the frequency of business trips. Some countries around the world still have heavy restrictions which means that global companies cannot gather all participants in person, and companies are hesitant to push their workforce too hard back into hopping from plane to plane as was the pre-pandemic norm. While most respondents agree that nothing beats face to face meetings, hybrid solutions with high quality video conferencing will continue to play a key role in the way the world conducts business as technology gives companies the flexibility to conduct globally inclusive events for those not able to travel.

"Technology is changing the game and simplifying the event management process where time-intensive admin for simple meetings is no longer acceptable"

Meetings and events as well as corporate business have always been a key revenue stream and market for Radisson Hotel Group. Over the past year, the Group has noticed a trend towards smaller meeting sizes of up to 20 meeting attendees, in which in-depth discussions among smaller groups often replacing mass gathering style briefings. On average, +45 percent of all received RFPs have been for small meetings.

Technology is changing the game and simplifying the event management process where time-intensive admin for simple meetings is no longer acceptable. One of the areas where the Group has evolved its offering is the development of a new online M&E booking tool – Book It Easy - which allows organizers to book meeting rooms instantly via direct access to the Group’s PMS system, delivers immersive virtual site tours of the meeting rooms, and supports the meeting planner in their decision-making process. With 50 percent of online bookings happening within only a 7-day lead-time, the Group recognized the importance of a fast-booking solution. With this new technology, Radisson Hotel Group not only saves the event planner time, but also allows the Meetings & Events team the opportunity to maximize their resources by dedicating more time to larger and more complicated meetings that require an experienced consultant to manage all the logistics. As Book it Easy allows planners to see with one click the real-time availability of the Group’s meetings spaces, it ensures transparent pricing for meeting rooms and that planners get the best available rate via an instant booking confirmation. At this stage they can also select their preferred package including AV equipment or additional amenities which can be changed, added, or removed at a later stage, with full flexibility and peace of mind.