The Independent Hotel Show speaks to Steve Cox, Sales Director – UK at eviivo, about the latest innovations from the all-in-one property platform and the importance of working closely with independent and boutique hotels. 

Tell us briefly what your business does

eviivo empowers hoteliers and other professionals in the independent accommodation sector to automate, simplify and grow their business. Our cloud-based property management system and channel manager, eviivo Suite, provides a simple way to manage guests, bookings and online travel agencies (OTAs), all on one easy-to-use platform. 

What differentiates your brand to competitors in the market?

Thanks to our large research and development team, we’re able to bring industry-leading features to the market. For example, our channel manager offers the most feature-rich, extensive APIs out there, updating policies and content (including photos, descriptions and facilities) across OTAs, as well as rates and availability. There’s also our award-winning app, eviivo Mobile, which puts property management in the palm of our customers’ hands.

Although our products are at the core of what we offer, eviivo also stands out by being so much more than software. We’re always finding new ways to support independent accommodations. Our pool of educational resources includes our Share webinar series and eviivo University product guides to name but two. And we recently launched a major new initiative, eviivo Collective, which recognises notable, unique and luxury accommodations with free press coverage. 

As a returning exhibitor and Innovation Stage sponsor, what brings you back to the show?

It’s been a very big year for eviivo. We’re celebrating the 10-year anniversary milestone of eviivo Suite, and we’ve launched some really exciting new features in the past 12 months, so it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase our latest product developments. We also love getting the chance to share the knowledge and advice we’ve gleaned since last year’s Independent Hotel Show.

Most importantly, the Independent Hotel Show allows us to meet new customers and catch up with existing ones face-to-face. We want to hear what new challenges hoteliers are facing directly from the hoteliers themselves. This extends to getting some of our customers to join us for our panel discussions, which are always a highlight!

Can you describe your experience exhibiting at Independent Hotel Show in three words?

Enlightening. Energising. Rewarding.

Why is your product/service a good fit for independent and boutique hotels?

eviivo is here to show that you don’t need the dedicated resources and big budgets of the major chains to run your tech operations smoothly, future proof your business and access tools you need to grow. We’ve worked closely with independent and boutique hoteliers for years to develop features that help them achieve these goals while providing their guests with unforgettable experiences. A huge part of that involves making key tasks simpler and less time-consuming through automation and our powerful technology.

What will you be showcasing on your stand this year?

As I mentioned previously, we’ve got some incredible new product developments that we’re excited to share on the stand. We’re also going to be running advice hubs, so if you’re at the show and want to chat with one of our experts, come and pay us a visit.

Likewise, head to the stand after our talks on the Innovation Stage if you’d like us to expand on the topics raised, or if you have any questions. We’re happy to talk!

Are there any exciting trends that you’re seeing in the hotel sector this year?

It’s really exciting to see the continued shift to automation. Following the pandemic, many hoteliers have realised that automation tools enable them to create efficiencies, reduce human error and save valuable hours per week. This ‘trend’ is absolutely here to stay.

Elsewhere, we’re witnessing the increasing integration of mobile technology into hotel operations, whether that’s smartphone-first solutions for guests or full-featured mobile apps for hotel management. We’ve seen well over 80% of our customer base download eviivo Mobile, which shows just how important on-the-go property management is becoming.

Another trend is the growing importance of refreshing your content throughout the year on the OTAs. Channels are clamouring for imagery and descriptions that show off your hotel’s unique guest experience. It’s a must if you want to rank highly in their searches, and it’s doing a lot to match guests to their perfect stay.

What advice would you give for any new exhibitors joining the show in October?

Be prepared for an exciting couple of days — and expect to be on your feet a lot! I’d recommend that all exhibitors seize this golden opportunity to interact with their customers and with the wider industry. And, of course, be sure to take in the eviivo-hosted talks on the Innovation Stage!

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