HBAA Annual Forum recognises the best in the sector

Sept. 13, 2011 - PRLog -- The HBAA recognised best practice in the hotel booking sector last night at the Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

The coveted awards were presented by the association’s Chair, Juliet Price, at a dinner attended by over 300 booking agents, hotels & venues and ancillary suppliers. Seven awards were presented:

Best Demonstration of CSR; awarded for a company’s commitment to sustainability through sound environmental practises and clear demonstration that this is embedded in the culture of the business.

Judge:  Heather Gibson, editor, EP Business in Hospitality magazine
Winner:  ACC Liverpool

Heather Gibson said, “ACC Liverpool demonstrated that over the period of implementing their CSR strategy they had created real engagement with the local community, resulting in a series of incremental changes which had recognisable impact.”

Training & Development Award; demonstration of agents’, hotels’ or venues’ commitment to the training and development of staff at every level of the organisation.

Judge:  Yasmin Arrigo, editor, Conference and Incentive Travel magazine
Winner:  Malmaison/Hotel du Vin

Yasmin Arrigo commented, “The winner was refreshingly honest about the scale of the challenge and overall goal for the programme, and launched an innovative project that captured the imagination of the teams involved and delivered impressive results.”

Promoting Excellence within the Industry; Awarded to a company delivering excellence to clients by means of a new product or service.

Judge:  Mark Lewis, editor, Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine
Winner:  Trinity Conferences

Mark Lewis said, “Excellence in the conferences and meetings industry hinges upon employing people with a single-minded focus upon delighting customers. Trinity Conferences’ achievement of IIP Gold has driven standards of client care, increased both client and staff retention, and led to more effective succession planning.”

Further awards were given including the Agent of the Year award.  2011 saw a new category, Venue of the Year, added to recognise hotels, venues and apartment services that excel in their day to day operation.  Both Agent of the Year and Venue of the Year awards were voted for by corporate clients with 2472 votes cast.  

Venue of the year
Winner: Peckforton Castle

Small agent of the year (Small agency with up to 20 employees)
Winner: First Choice Conference and Events

Medium agent of the year (Medium agency with 21 to 50 employees)
Winner: Conference Care

Large agent of the year (Large agency with over 51 employees)
Winner: Hotelscene

Juliet Price, Chair of the HBAA said: “Congratulations to all of those shortlisted and in particular to the winners.  These awards really do recognise the dedication and vigour that we have in raising levels of professionalism in the association and wider sector”.

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About the HBAA:

• The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) was formed in 1997 and now consists of 99 agents and 200 venue members. The association has an annual buying power in excess of £2.3bn.
• Member agents are specialists in making hotel accommodation, conference and event reservations as their core business.
• Member venues are comprised of the leading hotel chains, training centres and independent hotels and venues.
• The HBAA comprises a committee of 12 industry figureheads who oversee separate committees including: technology, partnerships, memberships, marketing & PR, events and education.
• Twitter: HBAA2011
• http://www.hbaa.org.uk