Hilton rethinks event spaces to stay relevant

Hilton rethinks event spaces to stay relevant
By admin


Hilton Worldwide is working hard to reinvent its approach to events, by significantly revamping its existing facilities in a bid to remain competitive.

Vice president operations Paul Hutton said the recent investments in its meeting spaces across Australia come in response to growing competition within the sector.

“We’re trying to reinvent ourselves a little bit,” Hutton explained. “Back in the 1970s and 1980s, if you had an event, it was always done in a hotel. But there are just so many options now that we have to be relevant.”

Design plays a big role in that, he continued, with lighting, furniture, soft furnishings all important.

“It’s got to resonate, it’s got to be attractive. We’re trying to design rooms that aren’t just meeting rooms, they can actually become evening event spaces.”

An overhaul of the meeting spaces at its Sydney hotel will take place at the start of 2016, coinciding with a burst of investment in the city’s hotels and conferencing facilities which will put it “back on the map” for at least the next 10 years, according to Hutton.

He stressed the importance for hotels to make sure that they are “fit for purpose”, by spending money on maintaining and evolving their meeting spaces.

“People have been highly critical of Sydney post-2000, that little was spent,” he said.

But that is changing. In addition to the forthcoming revamp of Hilton Sydney’s meeting spaces, he highlighted the opening of Sofitel Darling Harbour and the reopening of Four Points Darling Harbour as the largest convention  hotel in the country as well as the launch of the International Convention Centre Sydney itself.

And it’s not just about Sydney, Hutton continued.

Hilton has injected significant amounts into improving its Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne properties.

In addition, the hotel giant places great emphasis on its national partnerships with suppliers, ranging from coffee to food to audiovisual services.

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