Ivvy, a Queensland, Australia-based venue management
software company, is the latest such business to add an instant booking tool
for its venues and hotels. The company operates in the U.S., the U.K.,
Australia and New Zealand. Those spaces using Ivvy can set their own rules and
show their meeting venue and food and beverage availabilities to event planners
and corporate planners logged into the Ivvy system. "Online booking is on
the rise for the meetings space, and meetings themselves are trending toward
smaller, less-complicated events," said Ivvy CEO Lauren Hall. "Venue
spaces now recognize that small meetings can make for big business. However,
much like larger meetings, planners expect a fast turnaround and attentive
service regardless of the size of the meeting." Peerspace
added the functionality in June, joining companies like Meetingsbooker.com.
And Groups360,
after receiving a $50 million investment from four major hotel companies in
August, announced instant booking will become a top priority.