Innovative web tool streamlines event planning

Media release from Crowne Plaza Queenstown, The Place to Meet Monday 11 June 2007

Innovative web tool streamlines event planning

An innovative interactive web tool designed to make life easier for event planners has been launched at one of Queenstown’s leading meeting venues, Crowne Plaza Queenstown.

The Customised Website facility has been developed specifically for the conference and incentive (C&I) market and is a free service provided to conference bookers and guests.

By using the Customised Website tool, conference planners create a unique and simple online resource spanning the entire conference process. It features a user-friendly mini website which is tailored for each event or conference, hosting information and a real-time booking function.

The event planner sends potential delegates a personal electronic invitation and, via a click-through, invitees can link directly to the Customised Website the planner has created. Once there, the delegate can reserve their room at the pre-negotiated group rate.

The delegate then uses the website to find everything they need to know about their conference, including agenda, activities and registration. A virtual bulletin board is used by the conference organiser to keep participants informed as the conference or event date approaches.

Karen Whittaker, Crowne Meetings Director at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, says the facility is a cutting edge tool that gives Crowne Plaza hotels throughout New Zealand a unique point of difference.

“We recognise that value and exceptional service are very important to our conference clients, however they also want to be able to use all the modern tools available to make conference organisation as simple and as immediate as possible.”

“This service offers organisers new ways to share details of the conference and allows delegates to go online to book the facilities they need, exactly when they need them, with immediate confirmation and allowing the conference organiser to focus on the event.”

“It boosts efficiency, adds no extra cost and allows planners to simply create an informative and tailored website, exclusively for each event with photos and logos,” says Ms Whittaker.

There are a range of website templates to choose from, including meetings, sporting events, business seminars, weddings and reunions, and no special computer or web skills are needed.

The Customised Website for each event can be as simple or detailed as the organiser wants. Details of tourist attractions, recommended restaurants and transport options can be added, in addition to links to useful websites like the local airport.

In New Zealand, the Customised Website facility has been launched at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Christchurch and Crowne Plaza Auckland. The service is also available internationally throughout the IHG brand, which includes Holiday Inn and Intercontinental hotels and resorts.

With its lake-front location Crowne Plaza truly is the place to meet in Queenstown. The hotel guarantees spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables and a two minute stroll to the heart of the action-packed, buzzing resort town.

Crowne Plaza is located on Beach Street, opposite Steamer Wharf in Queenstown.

ENDS

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