Jun 17, 2024
The 2024 Pivot Sales Conference, branded as “ONE WAY OR ANOTHER,” kicked off at Omaha’s historic Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in early June. Inspiration for this theme was founded in the tenacious spirit of our sales leaders who are committed to meeting and exceeding expectations “one way or another.” Once the theme was conceived, the Davidson Marketing team created a brand design which spoke to our overall collection of hotels and resorts: cool & contemporary with an element of timeless class.
The three-day event began with a Monday night welcome reception at The Cottonwood’s signature Pool Club & Lawn. Overlooking the resort-style pool deck and with the energy of The Blackstone District in the background, DJ beats filled the air (and Frosé filled many a cup) as the team reconnected with old friends, made new friends, and indulged in Chef’s creations (FUN FACT: the Reuben sandwich was invented at The Blackstone Hotel, now the Kimpton Cottonwood!).
Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with audience-directed content, focusing not only on the state of business today, but what the future holds and how we use our resources to continue being thoughtful and determined leaders. Patricia Davis (PD) provided insight into the world of digital marketing and how AI will be shaping the buying process, while Shawn Grenley with CoStar used his market data to tell us a story of what business levels will look like in both the short and long term.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in a series of interactive workshops designed to enhance their practical skills. Ben Johnson and Marie Tauer led sessions on “Decoding FIT & Wholesale Business Strategies,” offering valuable insights into effective sales techniques. Himanshu Desai’s workshop on “Optimizing Agency 360” highlighted best practices for maximizing impact in agency operations. Not to be left out, Harry Carr, Joe Eberhart, and Aric Briggle provided critical insight regarding forecasting best practices. These workshops provided attendees with actionable takeaways to implement their own strategies.
Kalynn Dodd’s session on “Crafting a Culture of Trust” delved into the importance of building relationships within teams and organizations, a crucial element for sustained success. Stacey Geyer’s presentation, “AI Unleashed: Transforming the Future of Sales,” captivated the audience with discussions on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry. These sessions emphasized innovative approaches and the need for adaptability in a rapidly evolving market.
A conference highlight was the Hunter’s Harvest Dinner & Awards, incepted by Chef Jason Sirois and flawlessly executed as a four-course, wine-paired culinary event. As guests dined, they forged valuable connections and celebrated those who exemplified the theme.
The event concluded with reflections from Vanessa Claspill, Senior Vice President of Sales, who reiterated the conference’s key themes and takeaways. We are also incredibly proud to share that the Pivot Sales Conference raised $10,000 for Give Kids the World Village, an 84-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. Thank you wholeheartedly to the incredibly generous attendees for always doing what’s right!
The conference was truly a resounding success, leaving participants motivated and equipped to drive their businesses forward.
May is a month full of opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity. Recognizing that one of our core values is “Be Inclusive: We’re Stronger Together,” we tapped team members to share experiences about their own unique cultures.
The 3rd annual Inclusion Conference hosted by the Society of Human Resource Management was more than just a gathering.
Most of my days start the same, I wake up, get ready for work, and try to beat most of the Chicagoland commuters into the Windy City.
Leadership Insights from Heather Popp, Director of Revenue Management at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
In celebration of National Engineers Week, we spotlight the passion, problem-solving, and impact our engineering leaders bring to their properties each day.
Asian American Heritage Month is about recognizing and celebrating contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders to the building of the U.S. nation.