• Approximately 70% of hotels responding to the survey said either that their average group rates are higher now than they were in 2000, or that they expect them to be higher some time before the end of 2006.

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• Group rates in all parts of the country appear to be strong and strengthening, with an overwhelming preponderance of respondents in all parts of the country � northeast, southeast, midwest, southwest and west coast � indicating that rates will continue to rise throughout the year.

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• Approximately 75% of respondent hotels say they have recently implemented, or will implement before the end of 2006, major renovations or facilities upgrades based on increasing demand and the evolving needs of their customers.

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• Among the renovations and upgrades, those mentioned most frequently by respondents, were:

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• Room renovations
• Renovations or additions to meeting space
• Spa enhancements or addition of a new spa facility

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• Hotel respondents also listed the factors they believe are most important for attracting group business in today�s competitive environment - those mentioned most frequently included:

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• Location of the property � including distance from major airports and proximity to key attractions
• Brand or property recognition � unique individual hotels succeeding in setting themselves apart from big branded properties
• Value provided in comparison with competitive set
• �Experiential� factors � such as additional staff training, or staff additions or enhancements

He added, �We were also happy to learn that Krisam hotels are staying close to the customer and are sensitive to the importance of maximizing value for clients � in particular, investing in renovations and experiential enhancements in response to the needs of the meeting planning community.�

Schultenover noted that Krisam hotels responding to the survey pointed to several key trends that are significant for meeting planners, including:

• Considering alternative top-level markets located near higher-demand, higher-priced markets, but that may have more availability � �The survey reinforced that first class facilities and services exist in cities across the country, but that dollar for dollar, additional value can sometimes be found, say, in Boston, rather than Manhattan.� Schultenover added, �If scheduling permits, planners might consider cities that not only offer a better rate � but refreshing, unexpected experiences for guests, as well.�

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The survey revealed that hotels in geographical areas such as New England, Central Florida and the Desert Southwest may offer reasonably priced, high-quality alternatives to bigger, higher-priced markets nearby.
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• Maintaining flexibility in booking  . . . �Sometimes meeting or event dates are set in stone, but other times they may not need to be,� says Schultenover. �Hotel respondents  noted that considering changing dates or altering the pattern of a stay, can not only ease pressure on the rates, but may also on other services or costs as well.�

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He added, �Krisam makes it a priority to offer planners up-front options that save time and money when they book in �super-hot� markets, and indeed, in any market. Sometimes, a day or a week can make a big difference.�
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• Considering the �new and hot� � but also the �tried and true�� �New, independent hotels are a very important part of the market today,� said, Schultenover, �But many long established hotels can also provide great experiences and excellent value.� He concluded, �Our survey indicated that long sought-after renovations and property updates are making some long-established hotels well worth revisiting.�

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• Weighing location and value � but also valuing the experience � One of the most interesting aspects of the survey, according to Schultenover, was the extent to which Krisam�s member hotels found it important to invest in �experiential� aspects of the properties, such as enhanced staff training, spa enhancements and special touches in the rooms, such as the latest in-room wireless technology or plasma televisions.

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�This reinforces for us that meeting planners are interested not just in the best value money can buy, but also in the most unique experiences.� �Krisam,� he concluded, �Remains an unbeatable one-stop resource for planners who are looking for the right hotel, at the right time, for the right price.�

Survey questions asked of the respondents included:

1. Do you believe your ADR for group business will continue to rise throughout the rest of 2006?
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2. Does your current group ADR exceed the rate you were able to get in the �super-hot� market of early 2000?
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3. If your current ADR is not higher than 2000, do you expect that it may exceed 2000 levels before the end of 2006?
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4. In the period June 2005 through December 2006, have you made or do you expect to complete, significant renovations at your property, or add significant amenity/service offerings to provide additional value to meeting planners?
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5. Please list key factors affecting your ability to attract meeting business in your market, and which is the single most important?