Our 2017 Top Blog Picks

As 2017 winds down, it’s time to reflect on the year and prepare for an even better one! As we look back on all of the projects, trips and clients that we had in 2017, we also wanted to re-read some of our favorite blog posts. Below are our top blog picks from the year 2017!

1. Ultra-Skimmable Takeaways from DOYO Live 2017

This past summer, McConnell Marketing went to DOYO Live, an interactive design conference in Youngstown, OH. Not only were we able to promote ourselves with our Hotel Escape escape room booth (check out our Instagram for pics), we also learned a lot of valuable tips from many marketing professionals! Read this blog here.

2. How to Show Guests You Love Them

Full of guest appreciation tactics, this blog focuses on the best ways to say “thank you” to loyal guests! Read this blog here.

3. Will Visual Search Revolutionize Hospitality?

Pictures, video and animation have heavily emerged in the marketing world, and with them comes visual search. This blog focuses on a search engine called “Yellowroom” that allows users to search for hotels by visual experiences, like “romantic sunset in Chicago.” Learn more about this new type of search and what it means for hotel marketers here.

4. Hotels with On-Property Museums

Between glamorous views or luxurious amenities, luxury hotels are always trying to set themselves apart. This blog features our friends at the Willard InterContinental Hotel with their on-property museum! Check it out here.

5. How to Give Your Hotel’s Marketing a “Spring Cleaning”

Last spring, the McConnell Marketing team came up with a spring cleaning to-do list for any marketing professional. Updating social media graphics, checking brand standards and refreshing your marketing materials are just a few of our suggestions. Read the spring cleaning blog here.

Did one of your favorites not make our list? Let us know below or call us at 330.286.0487!

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

NYC Travel Tips from the Pros

With its bustling traffic, amazing food and countless landmarks, New York City should be on everyone’s bucket list. Here are some NYC travel tips from a veteran concierge as well as some advice from our Director of Business Development who just returned from a trip to the Big Apple.

Tips from a NYC concierge:

Susanne Carter has been a New Yorker for 20 years, with the past 15 being spent as the chief concierge for The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park. Susanne knows the city inside and out from her years of experience, and shared some of that knowledge with Forbes Travel Guide.

Here are some of Susanne’s best tips when it comes to traveling in the city:

Gourmet Grub     

As such a massive city with countless restaurants, it can become nearly impossible to decide where to eat. Susanne recommends The Grill, an elegant steakhouse, Cosme and 4 Charles Prime Rib.

Underrated Sights     

Although sometimes overlooked, The Cloisters art museum and Shakespeare Garden in Central Park are two locations where visitors should definitely spend time. Susanne also insists that the new World Trade Center transportation hub “Oculus” is a must-see “social media darling” with it’s bold, white architecture.

NYC travel tips from McConnell Marketing!

Steve Kandray has been a member of the McConnell Marketing team for the past 4 years and has played a major role in finding new clients. He’s taken countless business trips for MM and recently returned from meetings in New York City!

Steve’s tips and takeaways when traveling for business in NYC:

Cheap Airport to Manhattan transportation

If you’re looking to save some money getting to and from JFK airport to Manhattan,  the subway / airtrain route is a great option. In my experience it’s faster and more comfortable than the express shuttle bus, not to mention cheaper!

On-The-Way Sightseeing

You can still experience a city even if you don’t have time for traditional sightseeing! On my solo sales trips I try to do “on-the-way” sightseeing. Basically the idea is to be opportunistic: Are there any quick attractions you can stop by after your next meeting? Are there any cool sights within walking distance of your hotel?  On my most recent trip to NYC, I had a few meetings in lower manhattan and by just walking a block or two out of the way I was able to see both One World Trade Center and the Oculus transportation hub!

Inside view of the Oculus

Whether traveling for fun or seeking out new clients, it is always a good idea to be an informed traveler – take it from Susanne or Steve. If you’d like to hear more about Steve’s trip or how YOU can become our next client, contact us today!

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

Mandarin Oriental Holiday Cards

We’ve done cards in a variety of formats (printed, e-cards, animated landing pages, postcards and more) for dozens of our clients. This month’s project highlight spotlights one we’ve created this past year for Mandarin Oriental, New York. Be sure to check out the animated version of the card to get the full picture of this project!

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month. 

Project Highlight: Ritz-Carlton Maps

These die-cut maps we created for several Ritz-Carlton hotels have been pretty popular! Here’s a quick look at what makes these items such a memorable marketing tool.

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month

Kids React to the Hospitality Industry

One of the latest trends in hotel marketing is trying to figure out how to attract millennials. But what about the generation after that?

Well, we had a couple of 10-year-olds in our office the other day (courtesy of McConnell Marketing co-owner Katie Swain) and just couldn’t help but pick their brains about hotel marketing. While we can’t guarantee that their answers are good market research, they are definitely entertaining!

What is marketing?

Olivia: Designing for hotels and gardens.
Calvin: Designing for hotels.
Admittedly we have been slacking a bit on the “garden” portion of our client list.

What is a hotel brand?

Olivia: The name of a hotel.
Calvin: The name of it.
Definitely part of it, not bad! 

What is an independent hotel?

Olivia: ?
Calvin: A hotel with no sponsors.

Describe your last hotel stay.

Olivia: I don’t understand.
Calvin: It was the worst. The service was bad and somebody stole our trfoom? (not a typo, we just couldn’t deciper Calvin’s handwriting)
Cleary hotels need to address this problem of trfoom stealing!

Have you ever had a bad hotel experience? Tell us about it.

Olivia: Yes. With Mamaw.
Calvin: Yes at the Embassy Suites.
Sorry Embassy Suites!

What is your favorite thing about staying at a hotel?

Olivia: I get the pull out bed.
Calvin:  They have comfy beds.
Take note hoteliers, beds are the key to the 10-year-old demo. 

Do you have a favorite hotel? If so, which one?

Olivia: The Mandarin.
Calvin: Luma hotel.
Great job New York luxury hotels, you’ve made an impression on these youngsters. 

What does McConnell Marketing do?

Olivia: Design.
Calvin: It markets hotels.
Fair enough.

What is the best thing about coming to the office?

Olivia: We get to stay in the special room.
Calvin: Everybody is nice.
We’re officially rebranding our meeting room to “special room.”

Most importantly, how cool is your mom???

Olivia: Cool!
Calvin: Off the charts!
Savor this moment Katie! 

Want blog content and more directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list  for marketing news and insights sent to your inbox every month