Latitudes Current Issue

The Hyland Group is here to assist you with finding the right destination for your organization’s meeting or convention. Our website, www.hylandgroup.com, enables you to search our portfolio in many ways including by destination name, region, number of guest rooms, exhibit space and amenities. When you find a destination that suits your needs, save time by submitting an RFP online. 

Would you like to see your name and ideas in print?  Contact Amber for more information on becoming a Latitudes author.  It's a great way to impress your colleauges and earn points towards your CMP certification and recertification.  

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The Hyland Group first began operations twenty-eight years ago.  At the time I felt there was a need for a national sales office for independent hotels and resorts.  I was young, naïve, determined, some would say stupid, married with two children, and clueless about starting and operating a business.  I literally had no idea what the next day would bring.

It was 1985 and there were very few “rep firms” (a term I have always had a disdain for but have learned to live with) around.   Our business was almost entirely dependent on the phone system and the U.S. Postal Service.   Phones and typewriters were the electronic essentials to keep the business going.   Over the years we have made many adjustments to our business model--always changing with change, and recognizing the importance of staying current with technology in order to remain competitive.  

Today the landscape changes so rapidly, you can’t just try to stay current but need to anticipate what tomorrow may bring.  You can invest $100,000 in state of the art equipment only to watch it become obsolete in a year’s time.   If someone were to ask me what the ROI was on any of the equipment and technology we have purchased over the years, I wouldn’t be able to provide a good answer other than to say how it has helped facilitate our communications, marketing, record keeping, etc. Surely that makes us more efficient and therefore must improve our bottom line. 

Now if someone were to ask me what produced the most ROI for the company the answer would have nothing to do with technology.  It has everything to do with people and relationships.  The strength of our company has always come from the enduring relationships we have forged with our hospitality partners and of course our customers.  However, as a business owner there is no greater ROI than what you receive from your employees.  I have been blessed with having so many terrific employees over the years and they have certainly left their mark on the company.  Collectively they have all contributed to the success of The Hyland Group and many have gone on to very successful careers in the hospitality industry.

Once again we find ourselves going through a period of adjustment and trying to anticipate the changes tomorrow will bring.  While we have always invested in current technology, we always maintained the core business model I created over a quarter of a century ago.  That model needs a makeover and as a result we find ourselves having to temporarily downsize, rebuild, and once again move forward.  We are very fortunate to have a portfolio of supportive hotel and resort partners allowing us to continue to serve our customers who at the end of the day are the very reason for our existence.

I feel this is an excellent time to thank all of the people I have come to know and work with over the years.  The “people experience” this industry has given me is my ultimate ROI.  The Hyland Group looks forward to continuing to be of service to an industry for which we will forever feel indebted.

Peter Hyland founded the company in 1985 after enjoying a fifteen year career in the hospitality industry. He has extensive hotel management experience covering all facets of operations having held positions of front office manager, food & beverage director and sales & marketing. Pete worked at independent properties as well as for Marriott Hotels. His Marriott experience included serving as Director of Sales at Marriott's Marco Beach Hotel and Director of Marketing at Marriott's Twin Bridges Hotel. Pete has worked on numerous committees with American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Association of Meeting Professionals (AMPs) and Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

The Triple Stash Rewards promotion is an exciting new program in which the planner can earn Triple Stash Meeting Planner Points for any new 2013 or 2014 meeting – up to a maximum of 150,000 points per program!*  

Stash points are like no other hotel rewards points because they can be redeemed for free nights at amazing, independent, luxury hotels in destinations some people have only dreamed of before.  Points never expire, there are no blackout dates, and registration as a member of Stash is completely free.  Planners can register through this link and will receive 1,500 points right away.

Some fine print, of course!  *Triple Stash Meeting Planner Points are for new contracts only, which must be signed prior to July 31, 2013 and travel by December 31, 2014.  Groups that don't qualify for this Triple points offer may still be eligible for Stash meeting planner points through the current program. Points will be distributed after the meeting is paid in full.

The Caribe Royale is an all-suite hotel in Orlando, Florida that features 1,218 one-bedroom suites and 120 two-bedroom villas.  Each room is elegantly appointed and ideal for families or business travelers.  Located just 1.5 miles from the Walt Disney® Theme Parks, the hotel offers complimentary scheduled shuttles to those parks, the Downtown Disney® area, and two local outlet malls for great shopping.  

Caribe Royale Quick Facts:

•  Caribe Royale
• 1,218 one-bedroom suites
• 120 two-bedroom villas
• 150,000 square feet of meeting space
• No Resort Fees
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary state-of-the-art fitness center
• Complimentary cable in a high-definition format
• AAA Four-Diamond and Zagat rated The Venetian Room 
• The Island Spa

Contact us for more information on hosting your next meeting at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Hotel & Convention Center.

The Coeur d’Alene is only 35-40 minutes from Spokane International airport and provides round-trip airport transportation in the comfort of the resort limo vans.  The property features an on-site conference center and over 32,000 square feet of indoor function space, the Lakeview Terrace for on-site outdoor private functions, five cruise boats available for private charter, the Hagadone Event Center & Garden located at the golf course for unique indoor/outdoor group functions with floor-to-ceiling glass panels opening on three sides to reveal panoramic views of the lake, one of America's premier golf courses with the world's only floating golf green, infinity edge swimming pool with private cabanas and private beach, a culinary collection of seven resort restaurants to fit any taste complemented by one of the world's great wine collections, an award-winning spa with 21 treatment rooms and waterfront meditation room, on-site destination management company ready to customize activities that appeal to every guest, a collection of shops on Resort property and downtown Coeur d’Alene within walking distance (over 50 shops, restaurants and entertainment options) and a private retreat in our newly renovated guestrooms with spectacular views of the lake.

VALUE DATE OFFER - book a new meeting with 50 room nights or more on the dates of June 30-July 3, 2013 and receive the following:

• Rates starting at $129
• No resort fee
• Complimentary guestroom internet access
• Complimentary cruise boat rental for a two hour reception or dinner cruise
• Greens fees at $125 inclusive per player
• 1 per 35 complimentary room policy
• 20% attrition
• 1 complimentary upgrade at the group rate for every 20 rooms actualized

You must mention this offer when you call to receive the special concessions.  Offer subject to availability. Applies to new business only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Contact us for more information on hosting your next meeting at Coeur d'Alene.  

The Spa at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is now offering three new services that utilize its new June Jacobs Spa Collection skin care line. The new services are a Vanda Orchid Manicure, a Vanda Orchid Pedicure, and an Anti-Aging Facial, which each use June Jacobs Spa Collection products. Read More. 

Today, in celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the opening of its first hotel Montage Laguna Beach, Montage Hotels & Resorts is announcing the Montage Memory Makers Contest. Read More.

Mark your calendars! Spring Restaurant Week in Hershey, PA is scheduled for March 17 – 23.  Read More.