Chapter 18 Convention Billing and Post-convention Review

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Chapter 18 Convention Billing and
Post-convention Review
Convention Management and ServiceSeventh
Edition (478CSB)
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Competencies forConvention Billing and
Post-convention Review

1. Explain how hospitality properties handle billing
   for conventions and meetings.
2. Describe typical procedures for conducting a
   post-convention review.

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Folios for Meeting Groups

• Master account folio
• Guest folio
• Split folio

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Time of Payment

• Payment Schedule
• Depends on property, credit and reputation of
  group, groups history, frequency of business
• Delayed payment can hurt hotels cash flow
• Usual Payment Schedule
• Deposit when contract is signed
• Pre-convention payment on agreed-upon date
• Payment during convention
• Final payment after event

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Gratuities and Service Charges

• Pointers
• Mandatory tips sometimes resented by groups
• Present planners with policy
• Include clause in contract

(continued)
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Gratuities and Service Charges
(continued)

• Four Categories
• Tips for hourly employees bellpersons, food
  servers, room attendants, door attendants
• Tips for group functions and banquets hotel adds
  them to bill fixed gratuities
• Blanket tips
• Added to room charge
• Total is distributed to service personnel
• Attendees tip only once
• Tips for managers (never GM) and area heads
  strictly voluntary

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Post-convention Review

• Comparison with Projections
• Guestroom pickup number and type
• No-shows and overbooking problems
• Early and late departures
• Compare figures with those from past meetings
• Function Attendance

(continued)
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Post-convention Review
(continued)

• Feedback on Special Services
• Room service, restaurants, athletic facilities,
  elevator service, telephone operators, front desk
  clerks
• Comments from Individual Guests and Hotel Staff
• Post-convention Reporting
• Final Appraisal
• Prevent problems from recurring