www.meetingsresearch.com invited hoteliers
to identify ways in which staff training is being affected by the trend
towards shorter-notice events.
The 10 most mentioned issues are:
·
Staff rotas to be more dynamic, with some personnel on short-notice
or standby contracts.
·
More food to be sourced locally, and quickly, rather than through
long-distance central supply arrangements.
·
Greater emphasis on electronic communication with staff (text alerts,
email etc.) to replace notice-boards and function lists.
·
Increased flexibility within the workforce, with all-purpose
staff able to switch from food and drink service to room set-up,
and meetings co-ordination.
Also more staff on job-sharing between venues.
·
Greater planning of limited car parking resources in venues
because meetings typically involve one car per delegate left
standing for perhaps days on
end.
·
Housekeeping to be organised 'around the clock' because meeting
rooms and bedrooms will be serviced at short notice.
·
Rushed short-notice events could result in mistakes, and
complaints handling in hotels may have to be improved.
·
Venues will need more audio-visual equipment, or to be
able to source it more quickly.
·
There will be an increased demand for suitable locally-based
specialist speakers that venues will be expected
to source and book.
·
Hotels in lesser-known destinations may become busier
with meetings because 'internet allocation' - using
an availability system - may become more
relevant than 'location' in a traditional honeypot
city or region.
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