HFTP HITEC Conference – Disruption Gets Personal

An overview of the impact that Big Data, the demise of rate parity and the personalization of hospitality through the sharing economy have on traditional hotel industry distribution. Presentation by Robert Cole of RockCheetah for the Distribution Super Session at the Hospitality Finance and Technology Professionals 2014 HITEC Conference held Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.

Rainmaker Gaming & Hospitality Customer Conference

An discussion of the challenges facing hotel revenue managers as hotel distribution channels become more complex and chaotic. Presentation by Robert Cole of RockCheetah to the Raimmaker Revenue Management 2014 Gaming and Hospitality Customer Conference held Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, California.

HTNG – 2014 North American Conference

An overview of the disruptive business models and technologies impacting the global hotel business by Robert Cole of RockCheetah. The presentation for the Hotel Technology Next Generation 2014 North American Conference held Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California.

ReviewPro Webinar – Top Social Media Strategies for 2014

A webinar sponsored by ReviewPro covering Social Media Strategies for hotels held December 10, 2013 featuring: Daniel Edward Craig, Reknown, Robert Cole, RockCheetah; Suzie Wotton, Red Carnation Hotels; and Adele Gutman, Library Hotel Collection

Getting Rev’ved Up About Hotel Rate Parity

WIth the United Kingdom Office of Fair Trading deciding that hotel rate parity (resale price maintenance) policies must be abolished, the global travel industry must now prepare for a seismic shift in the balance of power between online travel agencies (OTAs), hotel brands and individual hotel properties. It’s a shame that British regulators got it completely wrong.

HSMAI – Hotel Management Company Sales & Marketing Roundtable

A presentation discussing the changing hotel distribution landscape by Robert Cole of RockCheetah. The briefing was designed to address emerging trends impacting revenue management. The audience was the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s hotel management company sales & marketing executive roundtable held Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia,

VFM Leonardo Webinar – Benefits of Marketing on Online Travel Agencies

Robert Cole was invited by VFM Leonardo to participate in a webinar covering the benefits of marketing to OTAs and specifically how to The session was held online on September 25, 2013. It was stressed that the focus should be on business and marketing objectives and not solely the technologies.

Valuable Lessons from Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlours

Bob Farrell and his eponymous Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlours created a legendary brand that was known for its birthday party and special occasion celebrations enjoyed by children, their parents and grandparents alike. Farrell’s secret? He ran the operation like a bar for kids. A concept that was lost after the business was acquired.

How Big Data, Deep Web & Semantic Technologies Change Travel Marketing

Big Data, The Deep Web and the Semantic Web are all buzzwords that are bandied about, but they represent very real technologies that will dramatically alter the foundations of travel marketing. Robert Cole’s Keynote presentation to the 2013 Association of Travel Marketing Executives addresses the main benefits of deploying the technologies. Incredible opportunities exist for those who smartly plan to adopt the technologies to effectively engage with travelers.

Hotel Pricing Chaos

It’s traveler versus hotel revenue manager when it comes to finding the lowest hotel rate. Comparison shopping is unfortunately still essential as the chaos of managing multiple distribution channels sometimes get the best of the hotels. Deals my pop up in unlikely spots, disappear completely from the most obvious places and create deals that may not be as attractive as presented. This example is for The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on Hawaii’s Big Island. At least they don’t charge resort fees…