Bento boxes and hybrid set-ups: Kempinski Hotels get ready for the "new" way of hosting Meetings and Events

Alternative venues play a key role in the recovery of the meeting and event industry and will require major adjustment from hotels when hosting meetings or conferences and getting back to in-person functions. To lower the risk for event planners and to add a layer of security, Kempinski Hotels are are enhancing their set-ups by focusing on health and safety protocols, social distancing arrangements, as well as adaptations in food and beverage service.

Reducing points of contacts, new room and seating configurations respecting the minimum distance between delegate and the allowed number of delegates per square metre, keeping tables apart, putting floor markings to indicate social distancing from each other, disinfected pens and bottles are only a few measures taken by Kempinski hotels without compromising on quality and sophisticated service combined with authenticity and personal care.

"We are in the process of learning to navigate the new set-up which requires extensive planning and willingness by all our teams to adapt fast", says Amanda Elder, Chief Commercial Officer and Member of the Management Board of Kempinski Hotels. "Meetings participants should realise that we care about their health and safety when entering our properties and we are proactively demonstrating our efforts to make them feel safe. We are ready to go the extra mile."

Besides reassuring guests by implementing the highest safety measures, Kempinski hotels have also approached this challenge by getting more innovative, from creating individually boxed meals to enhanced live interactive videoconferencing for hybrid meetings. At Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin for example, the culinary team has created a variety of individually packed lunch or dinner bento boxes for delegates, like 'Berlin Style', which includes German meatballs in caper sauce served with potato mash and fried onions. Breakfast and coffee breaks can also be customised and themed accordingly. Also, the hotel has enhanced its meeting technology by partnering with KFP Five Star Conference Service, a leading event technology partner with a wide range of comprehensive advanced audiovisual services. Integrating face-to-face meetings with digital ones, the hotel has introduced Mondopad, a videoconferencing technology with a digital interactive whiteboard and a high-definition touchscreen PC with built-in Microsoft® Office.

"The new approach and execution of meetings and events will enable the world to communicate and interact with each other differently," adds Amanda Elder.

Kempinski Hotels are continuously looking for new ways to improve and adapt to the evolving market needs. The successful 'Inspiring Events' campaign is a great example, offering increased commission levels for event planners and up to two complimentary rooms during the events when a second event is confirmed within 90 days. In addition, meeting bookers will get an upgrade to the KEMPINSKI DISCOVERY PLATINUM tier for a minimum spend of EUR 15,000 or to the KEMPINSKI DISCOVERY BLACK tier for a minimum spend of EUR 30,000 per event. These exclusive rewards are further value-added benefits to meeting bookers, who are rewarded with an on-site event butler, a locally themed culinary experience for their events, one complimentary room for every 30 paid (up to a maximum of four complimentary rooms per group) and a credit on the master bill for any event contracted 60 days prior to the starting date.

About Kempinski

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe's oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski's rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today the Kempinski Group operates 82 hotels and residences in 34 countries and currently has more than 25 prestigious projects under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. www.kempinski.com www.ghadiscovery.com

Eva-Maria Panzer
Senior Director Corporate Public Relations
+41 79 309 8252
Kempinski