Site Search & Select - Articles & News #Compressed MarketSite Search & Select - Articles & News #Compressed Markethttps://www.sitesearchselect.com/blogs/tag/compressed-marketTue, 24 Feb 2026 19:14:30 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Meeting Venue Sourcing Success Strategies in a Post-COVID World]]>https://www.sitesearchselect.com/blogs/post/meeting-venue-sourcing-success-strategies-in-a-post-covid-worldThe coronavirus pandemic has forced many companies to abruptly cancel or postpone events, meetings, and conferences. But with a strategic approach, finding an event space that meets all your needs is possible. Here are several tips for sourcing success in a post-COVID world.]]>

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many companies to abruptly cancel or postpone events, meetings, and conferences. It’s not just a matter of rebooking these meetings as the pandemic proceeds.  For those corporate and association event planners tasked with finding new venues at the last minute, the process can seem daunting. But with a strategic approach, finding an event space that meets all your needs is possible. Here are several tips for sourcing success in a post-COVID world.

The Problem of Hotel Compression

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand the concept of hotel compression. This occurs when there are not enough hotel rooms to accommodate a particular event or conference demand. As a result, room rates increase, and availability decreases.   On top of this, staff shortages are everywhere  — from ground transportation and hotel banquet staff shortages to final bill reconciliation delays. All are key components to contend with!
Corporate Event Planners can easily avoid the problems of Hotel Compression if they take the time to book their meeting space well in advance. However, with the current situation surrounding COVID-19, many event planners are finding themselves in a position where they cannot wait to book their meeting space. 

The Problem of Hotel Compression

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand the concept of hotel compression. This occurs when there are not enough hotel rooms to accommodate a particular event or conference demand. As a result, room rates increase, and availability decreases.   On top of this, staff shortages everywhere, from ground transportation and hotel banquet staff shortages to final bill reconciliation delays, are key components to contend with!
Corporate Event Planners can easily avoid the problems of Hotel Compression if they take the time to book their meeting space well in advance. However, with the current situation surrounding COVID-19, many event planners are finding themselves in a position where they cannot wait to book their meeting space. 
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Solutions for Corporate Event Planners

To avoid potential problems, corporate event planners must be proactive regarding meeting venue sourcing. Here are some successful strategies for meeting venue sourcing in a post-COVID world:


  1. Start planning early: As soon as you know when your event will occur, start looking into potential venues. The sooner you begin the process, the more options you’ll have to choose from.
  2. Use a venue sourcing company: A venue sourcing company can save you time and hassle by doing your legwork. They’ll be able to find venues that fit your specific needs and budget.
  3. Be flexible with your dates: If possible!
  4. Utilize technology: Several great tools and technologies can help you with your meeting venue sourcing. For example, Site Search & Select uses an RFP management tool ("S3 Excel Rain Man") that helps solve the problem of Hotel Compression. 
  5. Get creative: If you’re having trouble finding a meeting venue that meets all of your criteria, get creative. Think outside the box and consider alternatives such as remote destinations, smaller city-center properties, or retreat-style properties.
  6. Be prepared to negotiate: When it comes to negotiating rates, always remember that you have the power to walk away from a deal if you’re not happy with the terms.

Creative, Innovative Ideas for Corporate Event Planners

When corporate meeting planners look for creative and innovative ideas for their events, they rely on us at Site, Search & Select. We think outside the traditional hotel conference center or large hotel chain, which allows us to create memorable events within budget. 


  • New build properties that may not be backlogged in space due to COVID credits
  • Refurbished properties that have been updated with the latest features
  • Remote destinations that offer a unique and secluded setting
  • Less-traveled locations that are off the beaten path
  • Secondary or tertiary destinations that are often overlooked but have much to offer

Managing Your Budget

Prices are higher. Watching the bottom line is crucial, and understanding the pricing and contracting terms in newer destinations and properties. For instance, if you have traditionally held a program in a center city property and choose to take it to a resort destination, how do resort terms and conditions differ from center city properties? Site Search & Select can leverage its expertise and contacts to meet your goals. 

In today's fast-approaching post-COVID world, sourcing the perfect meeting venue can be challenging. However, finding the ideal venue for your next meeting or event is possible with the right strategies. 

Your budget is one of the most important things to consider when sourcing a meeting venue. Prices have increased significantly in recent months, so it is crucial to watch your bottom line. In addition, you should understand the pricing and contract terms in newer destinations and properties. For instance, if you have traditionally held a program in a center city property and decide to take it to a resort destination, how do the resort's terms and conditions differ from those of a center city property? Site Search & Select can leverage its expertise and contacts to help find a venue that meets your needs and budget.

In addition to managing your budget, you must consider the type of event you are planning. What are your goals for the event? What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? Once you have answers to these questions, you can narrow your search for the perfect meeting venue.

If you need assistance sourcing a meeting venue or managing your budget, contact Site Search & Select today. We offer event planning services, consultation, creative solutions, and vendor management. Our team will work with you to ensure that your next meeting or event is a success!


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The Bottom Line

Corporate event planners face a new landscape when sourcing meeting venues as the world slowly begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Site Search & Select has a wealth of knowledge and experience in meeting venue sourcing, site selection, and contract negotiation. 

S3 is always ready to help you with event bookings

            

We can provide creative solutions to problems that arise during the planning process. We also have a strong network of vendors that we can rely on to deliver quality services at a reasonable price. This combination of experience and relationships allows us to provide our clients with the best options for their meetings or events. Contact us today to learn how we can help you plan a successful event in the post-COVID world.

Michael Hudson, CEO | Site Search & Select 

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S3 can help you with event bookings


We can provide creative solutions to problems that arise during the planning process. We also have a strong network of vendors that we can rely on to deliver quality services at a reasonable price. This combination of experience and relationships allows us to provide our clients with the best options for their meetings or events. Contact us today to learn how we can help you plan a successful event in the post-COVID world.

Michael Hudson, CEO | Site Search & Select 

Find Out More
]]>Mon, 20 Jun 2022 11:40:10 -0400<![CDATA[Creative Approaches to Finding Event Space in a Compressed Market ]]>https://www.sitesearchselect.com/blogs/post/creative-approaches-to-finding-event-space-in-a-compressed-marketToday there are problems trying to find event space in resorts, downtown properties, and conference centers. There are similar problems with securing flights, trains and non-hotel venues. There hasn’t been any available space in warmer climates for months.]]>

How to Avoid the "No Vacancy" Problem 

Many of us are experiencing some serious “NO VACANCY” and COVID related compression while trying to find event space in resorts, downtown properties, and conference centers. There are similar problems with securing flights, trains and non-hotel venues. There hasn’t been any available space in warmer climates for months. Last minute weekend corporate retreats?  Fingers crossed on finding the perfect venue . . .  there are weekend weddings planned EVERYWHERE!!  If there is a function space out there, it’s booked for a wedding on a weekend. 

How to Avoid the "No Vacancy" Problem 

Many of us are experiencing some serious “NO VACANCY” and COVID related compression while trying to find event space in resorts, downtown properties, conference centers. There are similar problems with securing flights, trains and non-hotel venues.  There hasn’t been any available space in warmer climates for months. Last minute weekend corporate retreats?  Fingers crossed on finding the perfect venue . . .  there are weekend weddings planned EVERYWHERE!!  If there is a function space out there, it’s booked for a wedding on a weekend. 

As Us for Help!
As Us for Help!

Tips For Staying Ahead of the Mad Rush

Site Search & Select is known for creativity not only in the hotels, event spaces and local hospitality service providers we present to our clients, but now, we are expanding our approaches in the sourcing and contracting processes.

Sure, we all have our amazing global brand national sales representatives, right?  They work so hard for us and our clients love their multi selection of brands within the brands.  But with so many venues being fully booked in a compressed marketplace, S3 is  expanding and emphasizing more regional brands and independent hotels, venues and destinations.  There are many providers that are creative and out of the box providers that can deliver a unique service and experience and still exceed the client's expectation but they may not have the marketing dollars for full exposure.


Act Quickly

Some other suggestions we are discussing with our clients are, if you find a hotel that meets your needs, act quickly to confirm.  You may not have the luxury of planning an in-person site visit 30 days from now.  Conduct a quick virtual tour and determine if it’s viable to take an in-person site visit.  The longer you wait to confirm, the possibility arises that someone else will want your space. 


Meeting Host Buy-In

Please work with your meeting host to set expectations in this unique market.  They need to understand and be flexible with pricing, dates, patterns and contracting timelines.  They may not have the luxury of waiting.  Decisions need to be placed on a high priority status.

                                

Deposits - “Show me the money!”  

Many hotels have other clients that are willing to lay down a deposit very quickly to confirm their space.  As a New Yorker, I remember the days of finding my first apartment.  If I didn’t have a check with me to write for the deposit, the person behind me got the apartment.  While confirming space is not 100% like renting an apartment in New York City, these current times are the closest I’ve seen in my 35-year career.

Tips For Staying Ahead of the Mad Rush

Site Search & Select is known for creativity not only in the hotels, event spaces and local hospitality service providers we present to our clients, but now, we are expanding our approaches in the sourcing and contracting processes.

Sure, we all have our amazing global brand national sales representatives, right?  They work so hard for us and our clients love their multi selection of brands within the brands.  But with so many venues being fully booked in a compressed marketplace, S3 is  expanding and emphasizing more regional brands and independent hotels, venues and destinations.  There are many providers that are creative and out of the box providers that can deliver a unique service and experience and still exceed the client's expectation but they may not have the marketing dollars for full exposure.


Act Quickly

Some other suggestions we are discussing with our clients are, if you find a hotel that meets your needs, act quickly to confirm.  You may not have the luxury of planning an in-person site visit 30 days from now.  Conduct a quick virtual tour and determine if it’s viable to take an in-person site visit.  The longer you wait to confirm, the possibility arises that someone else will want your space. 


Meeting Host Buy-In

Please work with your meeting host to set expectations in this unique market.  They need to understand and be flexible with pricing, dates, patterns and contracting timelines.  They may not have the luxury of waiting.  Decisions need to be placed on a high priority status.

  

Deposits - “Show me the money!”  

Many hotels have other clients that are willing to lay down a deposit very quickly to confirm their space.  As a New Yorker, I remember the days of finding my first apartment.  If I didn’t have a check with me to write for the deposit, the person behind me got the apartment.  While confirming space is not 100% like renting an apartment in New York City, these current times are the closest I’ve seen in my 35-year career.

S3 is always ready to help you with event bookings

            

The final piece of advice that I can offer is work smart.  Know what your requirements are.  Be flexible with your programming, patterns and destination preferences.  If you can manage the current marketplace with these tips in mind, as Site Search & Select does, your sourcing and contracting process will take the “NO” off from the “NO VACANCY” sign. 

Michael Hudson, CEO | Site Search & Select 

S3 can help you with event bookings


The final piece of advice that I can offer is work smart.  Know what your requirements are.  Be flexible with your programming, patterns and destination preferences.  If you can manage the current marketplace with these tips in mind, as Site Search & Select does, your sourcing and contracting process will take the “NO” off from the “NO VACANCY” sign. 

Michael Hudson, CEO | Site Search & Select 

Find Out More
Find Out More
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