4oceans Targets Conference Market with Dedicated Online Booking Platform

Electronic distribution specialist 4oceans is to enter the conference market with the launch of its ResConference online booking platform at the Travel Technology Show 2004, in London.

The new platform is specifically designed to meet the detailed requirements of the conference market, automating the special rate booking process for overnight conference delegates. 

David Yates, CEO of 4oceans, said: "The high volume conference market has historically been complicated to control and monitor. ResConference has been developed to simplify this, automating the overnight booking process and pulling it into the 21st century with real-time reservations, management and reporting. The result is a system that enhances the relationship between conference organisers and hotels with an easy to manage booking solution."

Easy to integrate, ResConference works as a 'snap-in' module for conference website agendas, providing the basis for enhanced operation and management of the repetitive conference booking process. To date most conference accommodation requirements have been handled manually between the conference delegate and the hotel, creating a large and time-consuming booking process.

The new online reservations system allows both conference organisers and hotels to access conference rates and availability in a real-time environment, creating a more customer focused booking process.

The platform holds agreed allocation at specially negotiated rates for each conference and provides on-going monitoring of reservations to ensure allocation is closed once full. Bookings are delivered to the hotel via e-mail or directly to their CRS via the Pegasus switch, allowing hotels to more effectively manage allocations, special rates and reservations.

Delegates can view both the event itinerary and accommodation options, while benefiting from instant online bookings and confirmation for each conference, making booking easier and more convenient.

ResConference also provides conference organisers with access to detailed booking reports to monitor availability, with reports instantly updated as new reservations are placed. Conference hotels can also access an arrivals report to provide a detailed breakdown of booking activity, allowing them to increase allocation when needed.

Peter Thornton, business development director of 4oceans, added: "Initial feedback to the new platform has been extremely positive from both agents and hotels. There is a real recognition of the benefits ResConference offers to all parties involved in the overnight conference market. By automating bookings and giving real-time access to rates and availability, together with instant confirmations, the entire process is faster, smoother and offers a more effective revenue stream."