About CVBHotRates.com
Company Fast Facts
DMS Group LLC
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 181028
Corpus Christi, Texas 78480
Phone: (361) 949-6956
Fax: (361) 949-1493
CVBHotRates History
Founded: 2004
Founder: Donovan Shia
Launch Date: March 31, 2004
Financial Information
Privately Held Texas Corporation
Funded by Donovan Shia and participating CVB’s
Fiscal Year for CVBHotRates is March 31 – April 1
Company Headcount: 6 as of Jan. ‘08
Overview
The CVB Industry continues to face increasing competition from online agencies and private companies that challenge the role of bureaus and actually seek to “disintermediate” the CVB in its work with meeting professionals. In response to this real and growing threat, CVBHotRates.com answers the rallying call for collaboration as the first of its kind one-stop-shop for short-term meetings inventory, which is now effectively developing a leadership position in the online marketplace.
Launched on March 31st, 2004, CVBHotRates.com is the first phase of a comprehensive strategy to build a long term, sustainable, online business model for the CVB Industry. The CVB’s that comprise the CVBHotRates.com network are leaders in their industry and realize the benefits of collaboration. These "Best of Breed" bureaus provide the marketing and customer service support, along with the long standing supplier relationships that differentiate CVBHotRates.com from the competition.
CVBHotRates.com competitive advantages include:
Marketing Capital - Over 90 years meeting and convention experience
Supplier Relationships – Hotel, Attraction, Transportation, Restaurants
Meeting Planner Support – Physical presence and fully staffed offices
Leadership
As a nationally recognized leader in Internet destination sales, marketing, and successful Internet business models, Donovan Shia was tapped to lead the CVBHotRates.com management team. A ten year industry veteran, Shia has a history of planning, executing and delivering Internet sales and revenue for companies like Microsoft and Cendant. Shia’s background in Internet business development, tightly focused on city/regional models, is the backbone of the CVBHotRates.com business model.
CVBHotRates.com receives strategic direction from an active advisory committee made up of executives from participating CVB’s, CEO’s, and supporting partners. Strategic partnerships with leading destinations in the meeting marketplace assure our customers and supporting partners a strong value proposition.
How it All Works
We have incorporated “Best Practices” market research and developed a dynamic web site allowing CVB member properties to yield short-term or distressed group inventory.
Meeting professionals and group planners save time by searching special value offers at hotels in a wide variety of destinations. They then compare and select the properties to submit their RFP.
Customer service representatives from participating CVB’s ensure submitted RFP’s find a match with selected suppliers.
Participating CVB’s offer the program to their hotel members, feature content on their web site, as well as track sent meeting leads.
Aggressive marketing & advertising ensures our site is positioned early in the site selection process including:
Public Relations & Branding campaigns
Search Engine Marketing
Customer Relationship Management
Incentive and Loyalty Programs
Outbound Direct Response Programs
IACVB along with leading Industry Associations work to secure fast adoption with meeting professionals
