Marriott Rolling Out Small Mtg. Booking Tool

Marriott International last month launched an online group booking system that allows meeting buyers to check real-time rates and availability and book guest rooms, but requires them to agree to Marriott's contract and rates.

While QuickGroup shows availability for every Marriott in the system, not all can show rates and book rooms. To make reservations, the buyer must send a request for proposals to or call the properties with rooms available. About 50 percent of North American properties now can show rates and book rooms, with plans to bring all of them on board by early next year and some international properties in 2009, said Geoff Heuchling, senior director of B2B e-commerce for Marriott International.

"Customers by their actions are telling us this is how they want to do business with Marriott," he said.

QuickGroup is for groups with blocks of 10 to 25 rooms and currently can only book guest rooms, although the company is looking into adding meeting space booking options next year. Meeting space and rates now can be guaranteed through the tool but need to be booked offline. Rooms can be booked up to four days before the event date. Users must specify the amount of guest rooms needed each night.

There are no upfront fees or deposits when booking, although customers must agree to the hotel's rates and contract, which includes attrition and cancellation clauses.

"We feel it's important to have a consistent contract across all properties," Heuchling said.

Buyers looking to book space enter the meeting dates and location into the tool and are given all available hotels within a 25-mile radius. Properties that cannot be booked online can be sent an electronic request for proposals through the tool.

Rates are searched through the same pricing and inventory systems that are used by salespeople, Heuchling said.

The tool took about 18 months to develop and has been in a soft launch for several months. According to Heuchling, the response so far has been positive.

"They want rates, dates and space. If we can automate that interaction, it's good for them and it's good for us," he said.

Hilton has rolled out a similar product that allows for online meeting booking with non-negotiable rates (Meetings Today, April 2, 2007).