With Long Island, New York Wedding Business Booming, the Holiday Inn Westbury - Long Island Expects To Host A Lot More Wedding Groups Throughout 2016 and Beyond
Long Island, New York (PRWEB) February 23, 2016 -- The Holiday Inn Westbury-Long Island has been the host of many wedding groups; however, it appears 2016 will be a year that has been unlike any other in the past. Throughout 2015, many brides and grooms getting married on Long Island, specifically within Nassau County, made their group blocks for their friends, families, bridal parties and special out-of-town guests far in advance, with a lead time averaging approximately 10 months. That average booking window has increased from approximately 6 months from just the year prior.
The Hotel's General Manager, Franklin Manchester, and the Hotel's Director of Sales, Stephanie Lambert attribute the increase in social wedding business to several factors. In working closely with various catering and reception halls in the area, they are told that demand and business are in fact up year-over-year. Since many of the banquet halls refer business to the Hotel, the general inquiries are up according to Lambert, and brides and grooms are making sure they secure their hotel accommodations for their guests. Lambert also noted that the average room block size went up from approximately 12 rooms, to 18 rooms per night. Manchester says that he believes that is due to some economic factors, which includes the drop in gas prices, discounted hotel rates for groups, and due to industry statistics showing that the average household is spending a bit more on travel and leisure year over year. Manchester also points to Lambert, and gives her credit for her great customer service efforts, which he says is just something our guests have come to expect thanks to her. He also credits the Hotel's operations team, and states the hotel's entire team does all they can to provide exceptional service.
Manchester and Lambert also agree that their direct sales and marketing efforts have contributed to increasing demand. As the Hotel's Director of Sales and being the lead social sales manager, Lambert attends dozens of bridal showcases throughout the year, and she meets with hundreds of brides and grooms face-to-face, and she is able to find out what their needs are. From that point on, Lambert says that she remains in contact with those she connected with at the showcases, and she is their point of contact from the beginning of the process, right up until each couples' special day. Lambert, as a future bride herself stated, "I know the stresses that brides and grooms can and do feel with planning a wedding. My goal is to help alleviate that stress and anxiety by letting them know I have their best interests in mind and at heart. I want their special day to be an unforgettable one, so making things simple, easy and stress-free for my couples is a priority."
The Hotel's sales and marketing efforts also extend out to the Internet with various listings and ads on popular wedding based websites, and after each and every wedding showcase the Holiday Inn attends, they send out electronic sales and marketing materials to the brides and grooms that attended the shows and provided their e-mail addresses. The Holiday Inn Westbury does a lot more than just promote their overnight accommodations. They promote the added value of working with the Hotel as a whole. The Holiday Inn Westbury is one of the few hotels in the area that provides its guests with complimentary shuttle service to and from catering halls within a 7 mile radius. In addition, it's one of the few that provides full pre- and post-wedding banquet and catering services such as, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, late bar service and post wedding breakfast and brunch options. One of the great things the hotel offers is actually their best kept secret, which is their outdoor garden courtyard and pool area, which is fully open from early May, through the early fall.
If you're planning to have your wedding and reception within Nassau County, you should contact the Holiday Inn Westbury by visiting their website, or give them a call at 516-997-5000 to schedule an appointment to meet with their professional and courteous sales team. One can also e-mail them for additional information at socialsales(at)hiwestbury.com. If you happen to be an active First Responder, (Police Officer, Firefighter, EMT, U.S. Military) be sure to mention that at the time of contacting the Hotel, as they offer a special discount to whom they refer to as our "Everyday Heroes."
Franklin Manchester, Holiday Inn Westbury - Long Island, http://www.hiwestburyhotel.com, +1 (516) 997-5000 Ext: 411, [email protected]
Share this article