Transcript Document
Chapter 9 Negotiations and Contracts Convention Management and Service Seventh Edition (478CSB) © 2006, Educational Institute Competencies for Negotiations and Contracts 1. Describe how hospitality salespeople prepare to negotiate with meeting planners. 2. Identify the elements of a letter of agreement, or contract, for meeting and convention sales. 3. Explain the effect of contract standardization and multiple-meeting contracts on the meetings and convention industry. © 2006, Educational Institute 1 Negotiations—Purpose and Preparation Purpose • Two or more parties try to reach an agreement for mutual benefit • Create a win-win situation © 2006, Educational Institute (continued) 2 Negotiations—Purpose and Preparation (continued) Preparation—Gather information in these areas: • Product—property fact book; peaks, valleys, and shoulders • Competition—strengths and weaknesses compared with your property’s • Prospect—budget; purpose for meeting; dates; hot buttons; past problems Tools • Inquiry questionnaires (obey antitrust laws) • Proposal letters © 2006, Educational Institute 3 Elements of a Contract or Letter of Agreement 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. © 2006, Educational Institute Names of organization and hotel Official dates Number and kinds of rooms Rates Arrival pattern Public space Complimentary and reduced-rate rooms Prior visits Working space (continued) 4 Elements of a Contract or Letter of Agreement (continued) 10. Registration control 11. Exhibit space 12. Food functions 13. Refreshment breaks 14. Liquor 15. Audiovisual equipment 16. Union regulations 17. Master account and credit procedures © 2006, Educational Institute 5 Elements of a Contract or Letter of Agreement (continued) 18. Method of payment 19. Termination/cancellation clauses 20. Damage clause (liquidated or mitigated damages) 21. Gratuities and service charges 22. Attrition clause 23. Arbitration 24. Warranty of authority 25. Insurance/indemnification © 2006, Educational Institute 6 Convention Industry Council (CIC) Composition • 29 member organizations • Half represent sellers, half represent buyers • Members include AH&LA, IACVB, and MPI © 2006, Educational Institute (continued) 7 Convention Industry Council (CIC) (continued) Purposes • Facilitate cooperation between meeting hosts and meeting planners • Recommend solutions to industry problems • Recommend a consistent basis for handling convention procedures • Develop programs to serve the industry and the public • Create an awareness of the magnitude of the industry © 2006, Educational Institute 8 Contract Standardization and Multiple-Meeting Contracts Contract Standardization • Already in place for some chains • Some planners’ objection: meetings are unique • Also standardized: event résumés, banquet event orders, billing procedures, and more Multiple-Meeting Contracts • Used by both corporations and associations • Benefits: efficiency in negotiations and planning, guaranteed business for hotels • Drawback: lack of flexibility to seek most profitable market © 2006, Educational Institute 9