Springfield hotels offer aray of options
An interview with Jason C. Thoron, complex director of sales and marketing.
Q: Tell us about Crown Plaza.
A: The Crowne Plaza - Springfield completed a $10 million renovation to all 288 guest rooms, suites, public areas and meeting rooms in late 2016. The hotel was one of the first Crowne Plaza's to offer the new guest room that features the "WorkLife" concept. The rooms are designed to meet the changing needs of today's modern business traveler. Like the "working triangle" of a chef's kitchen, the new rooms allow guests to move freely between three key areas - a cocooned bed, a flexible "nook" and a streamlined workspace.
Q: And what about Holiday Inn Express?
A: Our sister property, the Holiday Inn Express, finished a $2 million renovation in late 2016. It embodies an appealing combination of fresh, dynamic and focused design features that enables an efficient and engaging stay, creating a distinctive style that is evident at every touch point hotel's brand experience.
Q: Tell us about what trends you are seeing with guests to your hotel in Springfield?
A: One of the biggest trends we're seeing has to do with the role our food and beverage department plays in guest travel experiences. Food and beverage go hand-in-hand with travel. More and more travelers are seeking local flare when traveling.
Part of exploring a new city is seeking that culinary experience through the local cuisine. Now more than ever, travelers are expecting hotel restaurants to go above and beyond their expectations and not only provide top quality lodging experiences, but also the best food experiences.
Q: What does the venue have to offer when it comes to corporate meetings?
A: The No. 1 thing we hear from corporate meeting planners is we offer them flexibility of our meeting space. We can customize our space to fit groups from 2-1,000. Our hotel just finished creating a corporate meeting package. This meeting package is built around a per person fee. That fee includes, meeting room rental, morning break, lunch, afternoon break, and the group's audio visual needs.
Q: Tell us about what convention planners are looking for?
A: Convention planners want strong relationships. The Crowne Plaza has a list of accounts that date back to the opening of the hotel in 1997. When you ask those clients about their longevity with the hotel, their response always includes something about the hotel partnering with them to make their event exceed their attendees expectations.
Q: How does your hotel support other local businesses or "Buy Local First"?
A: We are the "premier" hotel for The Alibi in Rochester. The Alibi is a local establishment that brings in up and coming artists to perform at their venue.
Crowne Plaza - Springfield / Holiday Inn Express and Suites
<b>3000 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield / 3050 South Dirksen Parkway</b>Phone: Crowne Plaza (217) 529-7777 Holiday Inn Express ( 217) 529-7771
Owner: Driftwood Hospitality Management LLC under franchise agreements with InterContinental Hotel Group
Number of employees: 175
When business opened: 1997
Web address: cpspringfield.com
Twitter: @CrownePlazaSPI