Too often, PR people find themselves in the delicate position of having to remind clients that they need to know what is happening on property. Anything from a seasonal rate, new staff announcement, to renovation plans, and other major changes in the hotel are news, and make news. Unfortunately, whether or not outsourced or in-house, PR is many times not contacted first about such timely information, making the communication between departments, and the media challenging. I mean, who wants a press release about a special monthly seasonal rate, when Reservations has been selling it to guests for half that month. It’s not news anymore. It’s important to keep PR informed first and foremost, and listen to their counsel since they act as the boundary spanner between your property and the public.
So, offer your PR person a chair in Exec Planning Committee meetings - you’ll be thankful you did!