Successful meetings and events, like anything else, need to begin at the right point of Origin. We will meet with you to discuss your needs, making sure every detail is accounted for.
With 20+ years in the hotel industry, our goal is to make sure your foundation is rock solid!
After discussing the details, we'll send out an RFP (request for proposal) and compile an easy to read report, listing all the targeted hotel proposals side by side.
We strongly believe, once you partner with us for one event, you'll never go back to doing all the leg work on your own ever again.
Once you select your top two or three hotels, we go back and negotiate on your behalf, securing the best rates and amazing value-added contract terms so you can easily decide on the perfect property.
It's that simple!
ORIGIN Meetings and Site Selection was founded by Austin Horn after 20+ years in the hotel industry.
Austin began his hospitality career behind the front desk of the Sheraton Hotel in Norwalk, Connecticut, currently the EVEN Hotel by InterContinental. In less than a year he was promoted to Group Sales Manager and was negotiating room blocks and meeting space for corporate groups. The following year, his team won Waterford's "Hotel Sales Team of the Year" award.
Looking to grow his career in the hospitality industry, he accepted the position of Director of Membership and Events at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, CT. Austin was responsible for all club and member events, doubling the membership base in 2 years.
After his 3rd year at the SRC, he relocated to Boston, where he's held Senior Management positions with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, HEI Hotels, Sonesta Hotels, and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Within these properties, Austin was responsible for multi-market business development, lead generation, creating and negotiating group booking contracts, hotel site inspections, creating detailed proposals for Fortune 500 companies, event design, menu planning, banquet team management and audio visual production. During his career as a hotelier, Austin has generated over twenty five million dollars in hotel revenue and has won awards, such as "Most business referred and booked within Starwood Hotel's eastern region."
Austin has a strong passion for anything hotel and travel related. His career has taken him all over the world to destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, throughout the US and Caribbean.
Other site selection companies do not require their associates to have
in-house hotel or conference sales experience. This bears little to no result when going up against seasoned hotel sales teams who negotiate contracts with multiple groups on a daily basis. Anyone can compile a stack of hotel proposals, but will they truly go to bat for your organization and negotiate to the fullest extent? We do! We will provide a "before and after" cost savings report to show the value we bring to your team. This is where we begin to separate ourselves. However, it's just the tip of the iceberg.
ORIGIN offers additional services!
What if you need help securing event vendors, like entertainment, guest speakers or transportation? Maybe you need help arranging off-site activities like team building or group dinners? We offer a variety of additional services. Just ask, and we'll create a custom proposal based on your needs.
"Our goal is to create a unique and impactful experience for your attendees, while making the meeting planning process feel effortless for you."
~ Austin Horn
Our award-winning partners at WhatBox Innovation can compose and conduct highly educational meetings and help develop content, such as - Keeping your sales team efficient and effective in a constantly changing, ultra-competitive environment.- and other important topics for today's successful business leaders.
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