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How to Break Into the Hospitality Market

Looking to break into the hospitality market or enhance your current sector sales? Follow this advice for consistent success.

1. Push the Envelope. “Hospitality clients favor new, fun ideas that are trendy and fresh,” says Jack Nadel International (asi/279600) creative branding consultant Mallory Ebrahemi.

2. Be Calm and Confident. “Some of the personalities in the hospitality market can be very high strung,” Ebrahemi says. Having a clear strategy and examples of prior campaign successes can work wonders and impress clients that are under pressure.

3. Go Higher. Don’t be afraid to show more expensive products. “Hospitality clients are looking for high perceived value, and they’re willing to pay for it,” says Sobe’s account manager Felipe Leighton.

4. Think Like a Recipient. Sell the value of that concept and its long-term ROI to your client, says Terry Town’s marketing manager Esmeralda Anaya. “Demonstrating how these products can be utilized in the real world successfully delivers the brand exposure hospitality clients are looking for.”

5. Stay in Modern Mode. “The lodging industry updates most properties every three to five years, so be at hand for refreshes,” says SanMar’s Director of Channel Sales Barb Herman.