If you think pirates—those third-party companies that spam your meeting’s exhibitors and attendees with offers to book accommodations cheaper than those in your official hotel room block—have become more aggressive of late, you’re right. The Web has made it much easier for poachers to find your exhibitor and attendee lists.
Here are eight top tips for combatting pirates, poachers, or interceptors (or any company that has not been invited by you as the organizer to assist with your event).
Sources: “Why Association Meeting Blocks are Being Attacked”; Poaching & Piracy: Tips to Manage & Protect Your Hotel Room Block webinar; ABTS Convention Services’ “Support Associations, Book Official Housing,” a new meetings industry campaign developed in support of growing industry challenges with unofficial or “around the block” bookings; and the Convention Industry Council’s new APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Room Block Poaching Workgroup, which has been formed to conduct research and develop best practices, tools, and resources to aid meeting professionals in managing room blocks.
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