Industry associations
Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBBA)
The HBAA is the only professional body representing independent UK-based organisations
specialising in hotel accommodation, meetings and conference reservations. Formed
in 1987, the association now has over 60 Members who book more than £850 million
What does the HBAA do?
The Association was formed to create a single voice for this fast-growing sector
through which to bring about consistent, improved standards in product and service
Through a series of working parties the HBAA addresses common problems in fields
such as IT, law and training, in each case seeking practical solutions. Members
and hotels also meet regularly to discuss industry trends, exchange ideas and develop
HBAA: serving companies
As the procurement function has taken on responsibility for corporate travel in
many organisations, the focus on reducing travel and transaction costs has intensified.
At the same time, the benefits of outsourcing their hotel requirements to a specialist
have become more widely recognised.
To ensure consistent service levels from Member companies, the HBAA has developed
a Code of Conduct that sets out standards of good practice covering all aspects
of the hotel reservation process from the perspectives of the agent, corporate client
and hotelier. Every Member pledges to adhere to this code, which is recognised and
respected throughout the industry.
HBAA: serving hotels
As brokers in the relationship between client and hotelier, hotel booking agents
play an important role in introducing hotels to the corporate market and vice versa.
Hotel chains and independent properties alike are encouraged to forge even stronger
relationships by becoming HBAA Charter Partners and signing the Code of Conduct
as confirmation of their commitment to appropriate standards of protocol between
hotel and agent. This group now consists of more than 70 of the leading hotel chains,
training centres and independent hotels and venues, including Hilton, De Vere, Intercontinental,
Park Plaza, Marriott, RF Hotels and Sodexho Prestige.
Contact:
HBAA Secretariat,
3rd Floor, 122 Bath Road,
Cheltenham, GL53 7JX
Telephone: 0845 603 3349
Web: www.hbaa.org.uk
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Eventia
Eventia was formed in 2006 from the fusion of two complementary trade associations:
the ITMA and the CEA. Together they represent organisations that provide business
solutions through the use of events.
Eventia is the hub for conference and incentive
travel organisers, live communications agencies, producers of experiential marketing
activity, performance improvement companies and corporate entertainment agencies
- as well as suppliers of services to these event management companies.
Contact:
Izania Downie, Executive Director,
Eventia - The Events Industry Association,
1st Floor, 192-198 Vauxhall Bridge Road,
London SW1V 1DX
Telephone: 0870 112 6970
Web: www.eventia.org.uk
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Meetings Professionals International (MPI)
MPI is the industry's premier educational, technological and peer interaction resource,
for members to stay on the cutting edge of today's constantly changing and challenging
meeting environment.
The association focuses on professional development and the ability to be cost conscious
through educational programmes and timely topical communication. There are more
than 19,000 members, in 60 Chapters throughout the world, providing a network of
contacts at local or international level.
Contact:
MPI Membership Office,
c/o Clarity Event Insurance,
44 Greenacres, Oxted,
Surrey RH8 0PB
Telephone: 01883 734999
Web: www.mpiuk.org
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Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE)
Founded in 1973, SITE is the only international, not-for-profit, professional association
devoted to the pursuit of excellence in incentives. SITE provides educational seminars
and information services to those who design, develop, promote, sell, administer,
and operate motivational programs as an incentive to increase productivity in business.
Currently SITE has over 2,000 members in 82 countries, with 33 local and regional
chapters. Members represent airlines, cruise lines, corporate users, destination
management companies, ground transportation companies, hotels and resorts, incentive
houses, official tourist organisations, trade publications, travel agencies and
supporting organisations such as restaurants and visitor attractions.
Contact:
Paul Miller,
SITE – Society of Incentive and Travel Executives,
12-15 Hanger Green,
London W5 3EL
Telephone: 020 8601 2400
Web: www.siteglobal.com
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