A new instant booking solution for meetings and events is now available at Marriott International’s portfolio of hotels in the United States and Canada.

The hospitality company announced today that it is the first brand to have a direct integration with Groups360 to offer the “Instant Book” functionality for both guestrooms and meeting space at scale on GroupSync Marketplace.

Marriott explains that this new capability significantly reduces planning time, and meets the needs of the many planners currently challenged by the lengthy sourcing and contracting process, especially for small events (10-25 guestrooms on peak and/or events for up to 50 attendees, starting four days out and up to one year out with a maximum length of stay of seven days).

This direct integration with GroupSync solves the problem by offering planners access to real-time best available group rates and inventory at more than 1,500 properties across the United States and Canada, with additional growth expected throughout 2023. Once the instant booking is completed on GroupSync, hotels receive instant notification for faster handling and execution of small meetings.

In addition, planners now have the benefit of viewing inventory availability before submitting an RFP for more complex events at all Marriott hotels globally.

“Through our collaboration with Groups360, we can now deliver real-time instant booking through GroupSync Marketplace at hotels in the U.S. and Canada,” said Drew Pinto, global officer, Global Sales, Distribution and Revenue Management, Marriott International. “This offers our group customers what they have told us they are looking for, which is a much more seamless and efficient booking experience. Our industry-leading integration with Groups360 will also allow all Marriott hotels globally to receive and respond with RFPs quickly and efficiently through a two-way response process. This will be a win-win for both planners and hotels.”

“We are thrilled to have Marriott International join GroupSync Marketplace. Event organizers benefit not only from instant booking for rooms and space but from à la carte catering and equipment ordering, too,” said Kemp Gallineau, CEO, Groups360. “Their involvement is a testament to the commitment to reduce friction in group travel planning and help hoteliers, like Marriott, enhance their customer relationship. With the addition of Marriott International, we anticipate that over 20,000 leading hotel properties will be equipped to offer online group booking in the months ahead.”

Marriott is celebrating the GroupSync Marketplace launch by giving away one million Marriott Bonvoy® points with the Plan to Win Giveaway. To enter the giveaway, planners should instantly book a small event for the chance to win 30,000 points, or book a larger event using GroupSync’s RFP process at a Marriott property for a chance to win 20,000 points. Visit Marriott-GroupSync Giveaway for complete details and rules.