features: personality profiles: Judith Labrie
Judith Labrie
Unique properties unique meetings
Judith Labrie, director sales & marketing GEMS, talks to meetme about iconic properties, a century of customer care and Fairmont’s new Global Events & Meetings Solutions service for meeting and event planners
What hotels in the Fairmont portfolio are best suited to meetings?
From Quebec to Cairo, Dubai to London and New York to Makkah, we offer planners and their clients extraordinary locations no matter where they may wish to meet.
Whether set amid the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies at The Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, the perfect pink Bermuda beach at The Fairmont Southampton Princess, the historic ambience of The Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, or the luxury amid the wilderness at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort in South Africa, each property reflects the unique Fairmont Hotels & Resorts experience at destinations that are perfect for motivational incentive and meeting and conference programmes.
In the Middle East, the Fairmont Nile City, Cairo, is equipped with the most advanced design and technology with 845 square metres, plus 450 square metres of outdoor space, dedicated for meeting and convention space, comprising of 13 meeting rooms including a ballroom. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi has a spacious 1,070-square-metre ballroom and additional flexibility is offered by the adjacent outdoor area. Six more meeting rooms up to 186 square metres can accommodate events ranging from an executive board meeting to a lavish convention.
Hotels under the Fairmont banner offer guests an extraordinary place that is created by combining unique architecture and structure and locally expressive decor and artistry. Add great service to this and the result is a successful meeting experience. Fairmont has over 100 years of history in hosting landmark events and meetings; the UN charter was drafted in the Garden Room at The Fairmont San Francisco while the newly opened Fairmont Pacific Rim hosted the Olympic Committee during the 2010 Winter Olympics and Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland hosted international leaders during the 2010 G20 meeting.
What is the new service available to clients wishing to hold meetings at Fairmont properties?
Global Events & Meetings Solutions (GEMS) service ensures all meeting planners have easy access to up-to-the-moment information about its respected portfolio of 65 meetings-oriented hotels and resorts in 12 countries.
The GEMS department provides consultative services to groups of all kinds, whether the planner is charged with creating an international incentive programme, impressive product launch or a motivational sales meeting. Account representatives not only understand the general needs of each type of group event, they will also work with the individual planner to understand the specific goals of the event and delve into meeting details to ensure they recommend the right property and services every time. It is a 'one-stop shop' where one or multiple hotels can be sourced.
How user-friendly is this service for new meeting planners and event organisers?
We understand that just like meeting planners themselves, no two meetings are the same. One quick toll-free call or email to Fairmont provides specific hotel details, recommendations and expedited proposals. In addition, we will recommend local experts including destination management companies to assist in locations where customers may not have expertise or local knowledge. We ultimately want to ensure an exceptional experience both at our specific hotel as well as in the destination itself.
Busy with both strategic meeting goals and logistical pressures, we realise that planners need hotel partners to be quick, accurate and show a willingness to engage in the planning process. We provide the insight and the collaborative partnership for planners to succeed in today's business environment.
How does a planner submit an RFP for an event?
GEMS can be accessed via toll-free numbers from UK, UAE and soon there will be a toll-free number from Australia or by emailing Meet@fairmont.com or through www.fairmont.com via the eRFP tool. Our account representatives take the planners' brief, see what destinations and properties meet the criteria and swiftly revert with availability options and information about initiating the contracting process.
For the less experienced planner, a call to the toll-free number will access a representative who will walk through the RFP process and understand the unique aspects of the event by asking the right questions and assisting the planner every step of the way. Experienced planners can submit online RFPs complete with programme description.
How long does it take to turn around a request?
GEMS can provide 24-hour turnaround with on-target recommendations tailored to the needs of the group. We actually measure our hotels on their response time. In fact, we like to send an initial reply within the first hour. While the planner may not get a full proposal immediately they can be re-assured that someone has personally received the request and is sourcing availability and rates.
What kind of events can you assist with?
We cater to every possible meeting need. From VIP board meetings to large company meetings and everything in between, our global sales representatives are ready to assist.
How does GEMS distinguish Fairmont from other hotel meetings services?
Basically, we take a tailor-made approach to providing a solution. We have a very collaborative approach and understand the need for specific hotel details, recommendations and expedited proposals. We know how busy meeting and event organisers get, so our goal is to make organising successful meetings quick and easy.
Does Fairmont have any green meetings initiatives to offer?
Our Eco-Meet programme helps meeting planners by providing a meeting structure that encourages maximum environmental awareness for conference delegates. Eco-Meet consists of options that can be tailored,for example local and organic gourmet menus, disposable-free food and beverage service, and carbon neutral options.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was honoured with the inaugural Green Supplier award, developed by IMEX and the Green Meeting Industry Council, which recognises environmental excellence and innovation within the meetings industry.
