Hotel Lobbyists is a conference site selection firm based in Washington, DC, founded in 2007 by Brett Sterenson. The firm uses a broad web of industry contacts to place groups at hotels and conference centers across the country, handling the professional hotel search on the meeting planner's behalf and serving as a buffer between planner and property until a venue is chosen — then negotiating contract terms and desired concessions. Programs have been placed in all fifty states and on four continents, and no group is too large or too small. The firm's 2021 acquisition of Accommodations Unlimited from industry pioneer Wendi Picker, whose firm dated to 1991, significantly expanded its reach and buying power to more than 700 meetings per year.
The value proposition is straightforward: Hotel Lobbyists works as an extension of your own staff, on your rules and your timeline, and the service costs the planner nothing. Like travel agents, the firm is compensated by hotels through commission, and rates aren't raised to accommodate it. Behind that model is real hospitality-side experience — Brett built his career with Millennium Hotels and Resorts in Boston and served as Area Manager of Government Sales for Kimpton Hotels in Washington, where he earned the "Kimpton Idol" award. He has been a member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals since 2001, served on its National Board of Directors from 2013 to 2017, received the association's highest honor — the Sam Gilmer Supplier of the Year Award — in 2010, and was named to Connect Magazine's 40-Under-40 in the Meetings Industry in 2013.
Hotel Lobbyists is a conference site selection firm. It runs the hotel and conference center search for meeting planners, acts as the go-between with competing properties during the process, and negotiates the contract terms and concessions once a venue is chosen.
Nothing to the planner. Like travel agents, the firm is paid a commission by the hotel, and per Hotel Lobbyists, rates are not raised to accommodate that commission.
No. The firm places groups of every size and has handled programs in all fifty states and on four continents, with capacity for more than 700 meetings per year following its acquisition of Accommodations Unlimited.
Government and association meetings are a core strength. Founder Brett Sterenson built his hotel-side career in government sales, has belonged to the Society of Government Meeting Professionals since 2001, served on its national board, and received the association's Sam Gilmer Supplier of the Year Award.
Send your event specs to brett@hotel-lobbyists.com or call 202-641-5580 to begin the conversation.
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