It's already clear: hybrid meetings are driving demand in the MICE segment. According to a study carried out for the Accor group last July, 69 % of customers questioned in Europe were planning to organise half-virtual, half-present events in 2021. Indeed, with travel constraints adding to the health situation, large companies are likely to continue to avoid bringing their teams and/or guests together in favour of this high-tech alternative.
With their meeting rooms and flexible spaces for informal meetings, hotels are obviously at the heart of this new proposal. Small and medium-sized businesses, which don't always have the appropriate tools in-house, can find a solution to their needs here. technological needs. Not to mention all those telecommuting professionals who suffer from a shaky connection at home and can take advantage of quality WiFi for their virtual meetings. Expectations are many and varied, but all converge on one point: a real need for insurance the technical and logistical quality of the solutions proposed.
To this end, Accor is announcing the launch early next year of a range of solutions tailored to hybrid events. " The aim is not to replace physical meetings, but to offer an alternative solution that meets today's needs.explains Cécile Benoit-Cattin, Accor Meetings & Events Director for France. As a professional, you can organise in Accor hotels all types of connected meetings, from simple videoconferences to simultaneous events in several hotels in France or Europe. "
All the brands, including Fairmont, Pullman, Mercure and Novotel, will be at the heart of this new offering, including the name will be unveiled in January. Some Accor hotels are already taking the first steps. The Novotel Lyon Confluence, for example, has transformed one of its lounges into a real TV setThe Mercure Parc du Coudray Demeure de Campagne, in Essonne, offers the Livestream solution. This lush green hotel combines relaxation and ultra-connectivity, with all the technology needed for streaming.
Quality guarantees
Like these two pioneers, many hotels in the Accor network will be offering a range of services perfectly suited to hybrid meetings from early next year. Numbering around 500 hotels in Europe, these establishments will provide organisers and their event partners with a number of quality guarantees. Of course, very high quality WiFi is one of these assurances, but also ideal connectivity for 'plug & play' meetings and, above all, the right technical equipment. In other words, video projectors or large screens with HDMI ports, excellent sound pick-up and the right technical equipment. directional cameras with zoom and wide angle to follow the speaker. " With this type of camera, you really have the impression of being in the room with the other people you are talking to." says Cécile Walson, Deputy Director of Sales France - Commercial Strategy and Distribution.
In anticipation of this new offer, Accor is in the process of listing and testing all the technological solutions that can be offered in hotels. As for the quality of the videoconferences themselves, Accor to team up with a leading online meeting software provider at European levelThis partnership will be made official at the beginning of 2021, at the same time as the launch of the offer. As a result, customers will be able to enjoy all the benefits of the paid version of this software, including data security, meeting recording and unlimited meeting duration. " While large companies have or will sign agreements of this kind to take advantage of these solutions internally, not all companies have the means to do so and will be able to access all their functionalities." says Cécile Benoit-Cattin.
These hybrid meetings, while adapted to the needs of the moment, also draw on the traditional strengths of Accor's MICE offering. These include dedicated sales teams to ensure the success of events, the commitment of the Group's hotels to corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the ability to offer a full range of services. the All Meeting Planner loyalty programmeThe event is one of the most generous in the sector. These strengths have been reinforced by two points that are essential for organisers today: health safety through the All Safe label hotels and great flexibility when it comes to postponements and cancellation periods. Real insurance in the virtual age, adapted to the current market situation.
You'll find this offer on the new myallmeeting.com website in early 2021, where you can already discover the extent of the Accor network in Europe and ask the experts to help you plan your next hybrid Mice event!
