Editor’s Extra: Cool Stuff from Cvent
Occasionally, something exciting crosses our desk and we just don’t want to wait for the next scheduled blog or Event Solutions E-News. So here an editor’s extra. And if you’re a Cvent user, you are going to be a very happy camper.
We spent last Friday afternoon getting a sneak preview of the upgrades announced this morning by Cvent. Bharet Malhotra, V.P. of sales and Audrey Staples, senior product consultant, walked me through their enhanced Supplier Network.
In addition to some cosmetic changes, they’ve added a lot more functionality to the site.
To start off, they’ve added a Quick RFP in case the longer, more detailed version is not appropriate for you. The short version simplifies and streamlines RFP creation for planners and facilitites more timely responses from hotels and CVBs. (BTW, did you know that Cvent people follow up on every RFP request by phone, to make sure venues are responding in a timely manner? Nice…)
Then they’ve added RFI—Request for Information— options that allows planners to reach out to restaurants and special event venues, particularly for smaller scale meetings. This is great for when you don’t need a lot of detail, but still need basic like space availability, capacities, and private spaces.
Their venue library has enhanced profile details, including new sections for restaurants and special event venues. I really liked the special event venue option—the industry is turning more and more to unique places and spaces for events, and this definitely satisfies a need. (Example: Cvent now has a “Castles” category for Great Britain venues —very cool.)
Cvent has made a concerted effort to increase its international coverage. It now has more than 20,000 special event venues and restaurants and 50,000 venues outside North America. They actually have a team of more than 100 people calling and updating supplier information every day. So what you do find on the new site is pretty solid information.
Pretty exciting stuff, and if you’d like to see more, take a look at www.cvent.com/.
The have also posted a video at http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_v...
By Ann Turner, Editor