Big news this morning in the events and hospitality industry as Marriott International announced plans to buy rival hotel chain, Starwood for $12.2 billion. This deal, expected to close in mid-2016, will make Marriott the largest hotelier in the world.
Each company provides a handful of apps available to event planners, including: a Meeting Services App and MeetingsImagined.com from Marriott and Starwood’s ProMeetings planners’ app (announced earlier this year) as well as the Starwood Meetings Attendee app.
Marriott’s Meeting Services App is customized to the event and gives meeting planners the ability to mobilize the entire hotel in order to manage everything from room temperature, shipping needs, VIP requests, and just about anything else in real-time.
Starwood’s ProMeetings Planners’ app is currently being piloted at select hotels and is expected to roll worldwide in 2016. The app will only be available to planners who are also members of Starwood’s Preferred Guest (SPG) loyalty program and will feature many of the same offerings as Marriott’s Meeting Services App.
In addition to their ProMeetings Planners’ app, Starwood also offers meeting planners the option of using their own Meetings Attendee app to provide attendees with meeting information including: agendas, navigation, social networking, and more.
Both companies, naturally, have rewards app offerings as well. Starwood’s rewards app is built upon their Starwood Preferred Guest program which has partnerships with American Express, Delta Airlines, and Uber. The app also features the unique, Starwood Keyless program which allows users to check in, get their room number, and even unlock their room door using their mobile device or Apple Watch.
In contrast, Marriott’s rewards app is a part of a much larger program with partnerships that include Chase and United Airlines. Marriott’s app allows users to text with an associate so they can order room service, towels, pillows, etc.
Both apps provide users the ability to manage their rewards programs and book rooms and can be used on an Apple Watch.
We’re excited to see what these powerhouse brands bring to the hospitality tech table next!
Kaylynne Hatch
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