The document provides information to help meeting planners choose the best venue and hotel type for their event by considering the meeting's purpose, message, and budget. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of various venue types like convention centers, big box hotels, limited service hotels, and retreat centers. The document emphasizes matching the right venue style and location to best support each unique meeting's goals.

1. Facility of Choice

2. Our Commitment
to you
• To Respect you
• To Engage you

3. Be Attentive
Be Engaged
Be Vocal

4. Bottom Line
There are a variety of
meetings with a variety of
needs that call for a variety
of venues.

5. Planner
What is the best fit for your
particular meeting(s)?

6. Supplier
What groups/meetings does
your hotel need to target?

7. What Hotel Type
Fits Your Group?

8. What Location Type
Fits Your Group?

9. Consider This:
The Meeting’s Purpose
The Meeting’s Message
The Meeting’s Budget

10. The Meeting’s
Purpose
• To Educate
• To Strategize
• To Network

11. The Meeting’s
Message
• Next Year’s Strategy
• New Game Plan
• Emphasize Existing
Strategy

12. The Meeting’s
Budget

13. Convention
Centers
Advantages
• Space is Plentiful
• Variety of Hotels

14. Convention
Centers
Disadvantages
• No Comp Space
• Labor

15. Convention
Centers
Best Fit For:
• Conventions
• Exhibits
• Larger Groups

16. Big Box Hotels
Advantages
• Branded Property
• Bigger Cities
• Transportation

17. Big Box Hotels
Disadvantages
• Lose your people
• Safety/Security
• Small Fish/Big Pond

18. Big Box Hotels
Best Fit For:
• Conferences
• Exhibits
• Large Groups

19. Limited Service
Hotels
Advantages
• Budget Friendly
• Complimentary Breakfast
and Outside F&B
• Location

20. Limited Service
Hotels
Disadvantages
• Service is Limited
• Location +/-

21. Limited Service
Hotels
Best Fit For:
• General Travel
• Meetings for <30

22. Full-Service Hotels
Advantages
• Branded Property
• Variety of Locations
• Everything under One Roof

23. Full-Service Hotels
Disadvantages
• Location +/-
• Per Diem - Maybe/Maybe
Not

24. Full-Service Hotels
Best Fit For:
• Various Conferences
• Training
• Yellow Ribbon

25. Retreat
Centers/State
Parks
Advantages
• Cost Effective
• Remote Location

26. Retreat
Centers/State
Parks
Disadvantages
• Transportation/Location
• Limited Meeting Space

27. Retreat
Centers/State
Parks
Best Fit For:
• Small Groups
• Strategic Sessions

28. First Tier Cities
Advantages
• Flight
• Entertainment Options
• Public Transportation

29. First Tier Cities
Disadvantages
• Cost
• Potential to lose your
attendees
• Small Fish/Big Pond

30. Second Tier Cities
Advantages
• Big Fish/Small Pond
• Cost Effective
• Planned Functions

31. Second Tier Cities
Disadvantages
• Transportation
• Perception

32. Consider This:
The Meeting’s Purpose
The Meeting’s Message
The Meeting’s Budget

33. Wherever You Go . . .
“Make a difference.”

34. Visit North Alabama!
Huntsville/Madison
Marriott Shoals
County Convention
Hotel & Spa
& Visitors Bureau