Unique Venues Enters a “League of Their Own” with Stronger-than-Ever Sales Leads

(Edwards, CO – August 2010) -- Chuck Salem, President of Unique Venues, recently revealed some of the strongest growth in Lead reports and Sales reports in the company’s 24-year history. Both reports indicate significant growth over last year, notorious for being one of the worst years in the meetings and events industry.

Salem reports that Unique Venues performed very well during the recent economic recession by redefining and re-engineering how they do business in The New Normal. “It’s cultural” said Salem. “Over the past 18 months, in the murky shadows of the AIG Effect, the prevailing attitude had been pretty much, ‘if you have to meet, do it quietly, with no frills’. Everyone had to be careful where they had their meetings.” This worked very well for Unique Venues and the member venues that serve as an alternative to the usual meetings venue.

The New Normal

Salem notes that, despite other economic “slumps” that have had quicker rebounds, this recession has forced business in almost every industry to establish new standard operating procedures about how, when, why, and where they can meet. It has become commonplace for the process to be re-engineered and more heavily scrutinized. Many of the venues represented by Unique Venues are used to providing the kind of service and product that is in demand in the new normal.

Solid Qualified Leads

Tony McGuirt, Unique Venues’ Director of Retention & Member Performance reports a 101% increase in qualified lead referrals from July 2009 to July 2010 year to date. He also notes that the increase in leads has been particularly strongest in the Mid- Atlantic and Northeast – which collectively represents about 50% of subscribed venues. Both have been consistently solid and steady.

McGuirt also indicates that there has been tremendous increase in sales over last year. “New venues are coming onboard at a strong and consistent rate. We had a 115% increase in new venues joining Unique Venues and managed to retain a record-breaking number of customers, holding on to more than 90% of our existing customer base.

Meetings

“Our bread and butter continues to be in the meetings-training-conference arena” says Salem, noting that this segment consistently represents 62% of their qualified leads. This is followed by private social events, parties, reunions and corporate & organization social leads.

Assisted Search

One of the strongest increases has been in Assisted Search leads where a caller relies upon a Unique Venues associate to research and identify the most appropriate location and venue for their meeting or event. Lead Program Manager, Shannon Glover oversees this free-of-charge service. Shannon gathers relevant information and priorities regarding the customer’s event and matches the right venue.

Salem says the Company is paying close attention to trends and upswings regarding customer needs and priorities. “We have stayed ahead of the curve” he notes, “ by being responsive to their needs and aware of the changes in how people do business.”

###

Unique Venues is a marketing and membership organization committed to bringing together one-of-a-kind venues with meeting planners who are ready for something new. Founded in 1986, Unique Venues continues to provide meeting planners with an eclectic collection of arenas and stadiums, camps and retreat centers, colleges and universities, conference and business centers, and cultural and historical venues. For additional information, visit the website at: http://www.uniquevenues.com/ or call 866 266.6857.