Hospitality eBusiness Strategies to Present Internet Strategy Workshop at Economy & Budget Hotels World 2006 in London

The workshop will be conducted by Max Starkov, HeBS’ President and CEO, and Jason Price, HeBS Executive Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Marketing.

The workshop will:

• Explore the impact of the Internet on the economy and budget sector
• Describe how to build a direct online distribution strategy to boost revenues
• Identify how Internet exposure and online channel utilization impacts property value and what to look for when buying a property
• Examine methods for boosting valuation of existing properties via robust Internet presence and broad online channel exposure.

According to Starkov, “The impact of the Internet on consumer and business travelers continues to accelerate. This year over 27% of all hotel bookings in North America alone will come from the Internet. Aggressive direct online marketing initiatives assure long term economic health, and enable the hotel to build strong brand recognition directly with their customers. Smart hoteliers and investors alike understand that high visibility on the Web results in qualified website traffic, bigger market share, and higher ADRs. In other words, aggressive direct online channel exposure leads to dramatically increased Internet revenues and property valuations. Our goal at Economy & Budget Hotels World 2006 is to communicate a hands-on approach in building an aggressive online distribution and marketing program, explore the resources and methods that constitute a complete eMarketing strategy and link that strategy to its impact on property valuation.”

Commented conference manager Peter Laurie, “The successful Economy & Budget Hotels World launch in 2005 provided a powerful forum for sharing knowledge and providing a platform for networking. This year we will continue to present new and exciting ideas to enhance revenues and strengthen branding with a carefully planned educational program and a focus on financing and investment opportunities. Our objectives are to provide an exchange of practical strategies and ideas that directly impact fundamental business concerns.”

More hoteliers understand the advantages of creating an effective direct-to-consumer online distribution strategy, but may not appreciate the power of a strong Internet presence in helping build the property brand and its valuation. Since the economy and budget hotel market is a particularly competitive, dynamic and robust segment of the hotel business, direct interaction with customers can especially strengthen the brand, creating a unique brand identity in a crowded hotel landscape to increase the value of the property.

The hotel’s Internet exposure and online channel utilization are assets that are often underappreciated and under assumed. Hoteliers should learn how to turn the Internet - the fastest growing revenue channel - into an asset, starting by determining what to look for in the property purchase, and then maximizing its value when they sell the hotel.

About HeBS | Headquartered in New York City, Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS) is the industry’s leading Internet marketing strategy consulting firm for the hospitality vertical (www.hospitalityebusiness.com). HeBS has pioneered many of the "best practices" in hotel Internet marketing and direct online distribution. The firm specializes in helping hoteliers build their direct Internet marketing and distribution strategy, boost the hotel Internet marketing presence, establish interactive relationships with their customers, and significantly increase direct online bookings and ADRs. HeBS helps hoteliers control their online brand and price integrity and drastically lessen dependence on online intermediaries and other expensive channels. A diverse client portfolio of over 300 top tier hotel companies from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific has sought and successfully taken advantage of the firm hospitality Internet marketing expertise. Clients range from major hotel brands, multinational hospitality corporations, hotel management and representation companies, to franchisees and independents, resorts, casinos and CVBs. Contact HeBS consultants at (212)752-8186 or [email protected].

About Economy & Budget Hotels World | Organized by Terrapinn Ltd, a leading global business-to-business media company, Economy & Budget Hotels World takes place for the second year at the Royal Garden Hotel, London from 13th-15th June 2006. Over the first two days delegates will have the chance to hear from 30 top-level speakers exploring financial and investment issues and opportunities. Tuesday 13th June features an interactive workshop hosted by Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, designed to help organizations optimize their online distribution and internet marketing strategies.

For more information or to register please visit or contact Peter Laurie, Conference Manager, on +44 (0) 207 827 4161 or at [email protected]