 When the final numbers were in for 2008, most economists declared that the indications were that the economy had been in a recession for the year. The Hyatt Regency Miami is bucking the downturn. One of the largest meeting hotels in Miami—the 612 room-hotel, features approximately 50,000 square feet of meeting space and is connected via walkway to the Miami Convention Center—the Hyatt Regency Miami showed improved 2008 sales over the hotel’s 2007 figures. "Our 2009 sales are currently ahead of business from January 2008," said Luis Aloma, General Manager.
Aloma attributes the hotel’s ability to beat the economy to "flexible, first rate service with meeting planners and versatility of space due to the hotel’s size. With the largest meeting and convention facilities in Miami the hotel’s success proves bigger is better."
With its affiliation with the Miami Convention Center, the hotel can offer more than 100,000 square feet of versatile interior event space – directly stacked on three levels with three escalators, five elevators and stairwells providing ability to move hundreds of people in just minutes. The hotel itself features outdoor events and parties alongside the Miami River with the city as a backdrop, the newly renovated Pure Verde cocktail lounge, as well as three ballrooms and seven meeting rooms, accommodating up to 5,000 guests.
The hotel presents a unique combination of scale, and a diverse selection of spaces to accommodate large and small groups while appeasing budget-savvy event planners. The hotel’s size and services eliminates the cost of outside vendors. Hyatt Regency Miami has in-house props, A/V and lighting equipment to create the most lavish presentation possible.
However, the key to bucking the downtown is listening to the needs planners and customizing the space and services to meet those needs. "No matter the request, Hyatt Regency Miami brings guests whatever they need to make the meeting, event or conference a success," said John Visconti, Director of Sales and Marketing. “Only by truly understanding the client’s objectives for the meeting or event and their concerns can the Hyatt team develop a tailored program of services to exceed expectations.”
The philosophy seems simple—provide additional services regardless of the frail economy. “We don’t turn business away because it might not fit some predetermined model,” said Visconti. “We know we must evolve with the changing marketplace and provide solutions to planners and clients. The ‘one size fits all’ attitude is not a solution.”
Visconti offered a unique example of solution planning from the hospitality team at the hotel. “Recently, a large training group requested four bicycles for their attendees. They would be here for weeks and the planner thought it would be healthy and fun to offer bikes, should the attendees want to explore downtown and other nearby attractions. Other competitor hotels were quick to explain why they did not and could not offer bicycles. After being turned away from several other hotels, Hyatt Regency Miami gladly accommodated their request. Additionally, we provided them with mapped out cycle routes for greater biking enjoyment. The group booked nearly $400,000 in business and a commitment to return the following year because Hyatt Regency Miami was able to deliver.” |
