Before the Great Recession, strong growth in occupancy and room rates helped many groups avoid guest-room attrition and other performance charges. With the dramatic decline in leisure and business travel, all of that has changed. The tide has turned. This year and into 2011, many groups can expect their room pickup to be down 10 percent, 15 percent, or even more. Numerous dynamics are going to affect your room pickup, including: Travel cutbacks - Corporations will be sending fewer people … [Read more...]