This post is part of the HopSkip Partner Insight Series, where HopSkip spotlights our partners across the globe to bring awareness to what makes their destination unique.
Partner Name: DMI Hotels
Headquarters: Franklin, TN
Years In Industry: 30+
What is the origin story of DMI Hotels? How did the idea of the company start?
DMI has been representing independent hotels and resorts for almost 25 years, specifically for meetings and incentives. DMI's founder, John Gaca, had a background specifically working for independent hotels and found a need for many of these fine hotels and resorts to gain national exposure to better position them against the larger branded hotels as the independents provided not only a unique experience but more flexibility than many of the branded hotels, in many cases at a better price.
Could you tell us more about the services and amenities that DMI hotels offer?
DMI serves as an authorized National Sales office for a collection of independently owned and operated hotels and resorts in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean for meetings and incentives.
What makes your hotel portfolio unique and attractive to potential customers?
Although we have some very well-known hotels within our portfolio, many of our hotels are hidden gems that are not as well known. Clients truly appreciate the opportunity to give their attendees an experience that many times they have not experienced on their own due to the lesser-known properties we represent.
If you had to sum up the DMI experience in a few sentences, how would you do so?
The team at DMI are not only experts in the meetings and convention industry, but we spend extensive time being experts of our specific hotels.
How do your member hotels differentiate themselves from non-DMI properties?
Being that our hotels are independent, non-branded hotels, there is always a unique aspect when attendees have the opportunity to experience something unique when attending a program.
Why should planners include a DMI Hotels representative during the sourcing process?
DMI takes pride in providing quick responses from our hotels. When we know the history of a program or what destinations are being considered, we strive to find the match within our portfolio of comparable, lesser-known hotels.
What are the benefits of a hotel becoming a member of the DMI portfolio?
DMI not only provides our hotels with true National Sales regarding RFPs and lead production but DMI has an aggressive travel schedule which includes sales missions, client events and attendance several of the industry's tradeshows. If an independent hotel needs exposure to better compete with the large chains, DMI is the answer!
Now that the pandemic has subsided, how did DMI Hotels evolve post-Covid? What were some of your major learnings that changed the way you're doing business today?
DMI continues to expand our portfolio as well as client base. Our team is traveling more than ever to meet with clients face to face and create familiarity for clients with their National Sales contact. We have also developed a very user friendly app that gives quick exposure to the DMI portfolio.
As the meetings/events community and landscape evolves, what do you think the next two-five years will look like for the industry?
Although we currently see a very high demand for short term meetings, availability continues to be a challenge for many of our clients. With unique hotels in our portfolio, many of our hotels do have availability! In the next 2-5 years, it will become imperative for clients to again book further out to assure the destinations they most desire.
What inspired DMI Hotels to join HopSkip and become a customer? What makes you excited about partnering with HopSkip?
DMI is always looking for new cutting-edge ways to gain exposure in the meetings and convention business. We are very pleased to have found HopSkip and the clients that use HopSkip, as many are not familiar with DMI and our portfolio. HopSkip is very similar to DMI in the fact that they are a lesser-known product that makes it easy for clients to do the business they need to conduct.
Could you share the potential advantages of partnering with HopSkip?
In the beginning stages of our HopSkip relationship, we have already been exposed to many great new clients. In addition, it has given our hotels an opportunity to market themselves to a new client audience.
What do you think makes HopSkip stand out from its competitors?
HopSkip is a needed new resource in our industry. The ease of working with the HopSkip team and the ability to customize to the needs of DMI has been refreshing!
Are you a meetings/events industry member interested in partnering? Find out how HopSkip can help!
This post is part of the HopSkip Destination Insight Series where HopSkip spotlights destination partners across the globe to bring awareness to what makes their destination unique. Click the "book a demo" above to learn more about how to connect your destination to the HopSkip planner network.
