What are “Group Value Dates” and how can I find them?

In this economy, budget considerations are more important than ever for your meeting planning process.  If you have a limited budget and your meeting dates are flexible, be sure to look for “group value dates” during your site selection process.

Group value dates (also called “value rates”, “value dates”, or “hot dates”) are offered by nearly all properties at various times throughout the year.  Generally, they are generally offered during or around holidays and at other times that the property predicts a slowdown based on past their past experience.  With the right timing and luck, you may find rates as much as 40% off.

They may also be offered during more popular times when, for example, a property loses a big corporate meeting to an unexpected cancellation.  In this case, the notice may be very short–but the deal very good.  The challenge is the short notice, so it really takes a unique situation and event.

Finding Group Value Dates can be tricky—they are constantly changing and must be searched “per property”.  In other words, you won’t see, for example, “Marriott property-wide value dates”.  Here are a few ways to find them during your meeting facility search:

• Contacting hotels directly – Once you’ve narrowed down your location, you can begin calling around to properties in the area that fit your criteria.  Very time consuming, of course.

• Signing up for contact from individual hotels or chains – If you know your meeting will take place in a particular city or region, you can get on mailing lists from hotels in those areas.  That way, you’ll automatically be notified as group value dates are available.  The downside is that you may quickly find your inbox full of email from several properties.

• Doing internet research – simply search for “Group value dates [city]/[state]”

Group value dates are a great way to money on your next corporate meeting or event.  If you don’t have time to do the work yourself, remember that MeetingSteward.com consultants are available to help.  We maintain large database of current group value dates throughout the world.

Whatever method you choose, good luck in finding group value dates when starting your next meeting facility search.