Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.: Social Media

Social Media

December 20, 2010

Spa Vendor Spotlight: Spa Management Consultants

Institute of Management Consultants - Spa Chapter
The Institute of Management Consultant's Spa / Hospitality Chapter is a virtual community whose members provide marketing, management, design, operations and other consulting services to spa and hospitality clientele.

Browse Additional SpaWire Vendor Resources

Posted on December 20, 2010 in Marketing, Research / Studies, Resources, Social Media, Spa Trade Tools, Training and Education | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 23, 2010

How Ritz Carlton's CEO Simon Cooper Marries Luxury and Social Savvy

SpaCast Staff Post

This week's staff meeting at Spa Index Media turned lively when the topic turned to the social networking platform of Twitter, and the trend called #LuxuryChat, which takes place the third Wednesday of every month.

Our principal, Kevin McClain, has long been a proponent of Twitter (in fact, he was the first user among our staff), reads each and every one of our Twitter posts, and frequently tweets a little something to remind us that while we're busy spotlighting spa specials, grand openings, recommendations, healthy spa recipes and such, trending is going on in the social media arena that we need to examine more closely.

McClain leaned forward and pricked up his ears when our Twitter Staff announced that Simon F. Cooper (@SimonFCooper) President of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company (@RitzCarltonCSR @RitzCarltonPR), was the special guest for July's #luxurychat.

"You're witnessing a tipping point for luxury brands in social media" he said. "If Simon Cooper of The Ritz-Carlton can spend an hour to answer a salvo of questions from consumers and industry professionals, CEOs of other luxury brands are going to be hard-pressed to excuse not doing so."

"Won't they just say 'we've never chatted up our luxury goods and we don't need to start now' or something like that?" we asked.

"Sure, and reveal themselves to not be forward thinking, or to reveal they see no value in socially engaging entrepreneurs, brands, clients, friends and followers in a consumer enterprise." he replied. "The Ritz has always engaged its guests. It's just using smart, new tools to do so."

He also added "Luxury travel has been hit hard in our industry. Incredibly, SPA -- health through water -- has become a dirty word, we all know that. Event planners are saying 'take the word spa off your resort's name on my invoicing or I won't book my convention with you this year'."

"Luxury brands have to be careful to balance hospitality viewed through a social lens and the concept of delivering luxury -- without apologizing for it. Cooper's example shows an iconoclastic global luxury brand taking a new tack, using a new tool, to expand on what they've always done -- demonstrate unwavering luxury hospitality and showing that it's approachable. 'Welcome to my luxury brand. At the Ritz, as my guest, you have more than luxury. You have my ear'."

So what does "luxury" even mean and why do we need to chat and tweet about it?

It means many things to many people, so we'll borrow a line from Supreme Court Justice William Brennan and say "We know it when we see it."

In #luxurychat, you had in a one-hour time frame, nearly 200 hundred people, from writers to consumers to marketing representatives, engaging one another on a virtual tree branch, projecting not simply luxury trends they observe in the industry, but discussing those trends directly with a CEO of a luxury brand. A luxury mash-up in a fast-paced classroom. Take what you need from it, and leave the rest.

Take a look at some of Cooper's responses to many questions posed during the #luxurychat (as limited by the 140 character format, of course):

What value do I see in social media? ENGAGEMENT!

It's exactly what we have always focused on as an organization. Engaging with our guests.

Social media provides us with so many new channels with which to communicate with people who want to know more about our brand.

If someone takes the time to send us any kind of [negative] comment, we view that as an opportunity to review and improve.

We use all channels available and hope that we are seen to be not only an aspirational brand, but approachable too.

We are always looking to introduce our brand to new audiences. Multi-generational, Multi-cultural, Multi-lingual, you name it!

McClain has long been involved with socially responsible causes, sponsors socially responsible entrepreneurs, and admires The Ritz-Carlton brand for their dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility through their Community Footprints and Giveback Getaways . "Cooper and the Ritz just 'get it.' They use social media not solely for financial motives, but to assure that guests and contacts alike get the best experience possible when interacting with their brand. I don't define that as simply 'being social.' I define that as luxury."

Special acknowledgments and thanks to the equally forward-thinking moderators of the Twitter #LuxuryChat:

@EliteTravelGal
@LuxuryPRGal
@TierraFilhiol
@MissSmartFlyer
@luxmextrvlchica
@leyla_a
@LuxeTiffany

For more information about the July Luxury Chat click here

Posted on July 23, 2010 in Current Affairs, Events and Promotions, Interviews, Marketing, People on the Move, Philanthropy, Sign of the Times, Social Media, Spa Index Members, Trends, Twitter | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 19, 2010

Updated! Spa Themed Twitter Lists

By popular request! Our readers asked and we are happy to oblige. SpaIndex.com (publisher of SpaCast) previously tweeted its @SpaIndex #FollowFriday theme of Twitter users who are making use of Twitter's "List Feature." We've been asked to share our growing collection of "Twitter's Top Spa List Creators" and Spa Related Twitter Lists.

Browsing another user's spa list is a great way to find new spa enthusists and providers in greater numbers than is permitted by the #FollowFriday trend, and by "following the list" itself you may review all tweets from the listed users in one session.

As the list feature on Twitter continues to gain popularity, and we receive your tips via Twitter, we'll enhance this list -- just let us know if you or your peers have created a spa related "Twitter List" by following and tweeting us @spaindex. *

TWITTER USERS WITH SPA-RELATED LISTS:

Newest Additions!

*Inclusion in SpaCast's Twitter Spa Lists is subject to approval.

Posted on January 19, 2010 in Day Spas, Development, Lists, Marketing, Medi Spas, People on the Move, Press / Media Opportunities, Research / Studies, Social Media, Spa Hotels, Spa Index Members, Spa Trade Tools, Twitter, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 06, 2009

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa names new Twitter Team

The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa has elected six associates to act as team members to actively tweet and interact with the hotel’s fans and followers on the property’s Twitter page (@Renhollywood) and Facebook page.“We decided it would be best to have several voices speak and listen to our fans on behalf of the property,” says Dan Shaughnessy, director of sales and marketing at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa.

“And these aren’t marketing folks; they’re people who our guests interact with and see every day. While everyone will use our @Renhollywood name, each member of The Twitter Team will speak from their own personal point of view, based on their position at the property.”

The Twitter Team consists of Shaughnessy, who will discuss the property’s special events and promotional offerings, including the successful weekly music event, Indie Thursdays (hashtag #indiethursdays), and all press inquiries; Steve Ferraro, Director of Food & Beverage, who will keep fans up to date on anything and everything food-related including special recipes, cocktails at Twist Restaurant, and foodie events; Debbie Ayala, Director of Sales, who will share news about unique groups and conventions at the property; twins Debra and Diana Mategrano, who will offer their tips on things to do and places to see in Hollywood from the concierge perspective; and Peggy Sun, Executive Secretary, who will be answering general questions about the property. The team will also be actively engaging with fans on the hotel’s Facebook page by posting photos, videos, events and other links.

Read the Story

Posted on October 06, 2009 in Development, Fodder, Marketing, Sign of the Times, Social Media, Spa Hotels, Trends | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 05, 2009

Twitter Reference Guide to ISPA Conference Expo 2009 (#ISPA09)

SpaIndex.com: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas (@SpaIndex) has compiled a Twitter Users Quick Reference Guide to the International Spa Association 2009 Conference & Expo underway in Austin Texas (October 5 through October 8 2009).

All things #ISPA09:
@ISpaDoYou @LynneMcNees @livespa @spagal2009 @melissajriley @PulseMagazine

#ISPA09 Hotels:
@lakeaustinspa @TheCrossingsATX @FSAustin @bartoncreekstay @HiltonAustin

#ISPA09: Speakers:
@GuyKawasaki @Bertice_Berry @Lancearmstrong @zappos @jeremygutsche

#ISPA09: Austin Spas:
@VisitLostPines @milkandhoneyspa @BartonCreekSpa @lakeaustinspa @SpaReveil

#ISPA09: Guides:
@CenterdinAustin @VisitAustinTX @Austin_Monthly @austin360music and lastly: @dfiske