With the adoption of StarCite technology by HelmsBriscoe, the world's largest meetings and conference firm, RFP activity on StarCite.com is on target for high growth.

HelmsBriscoe is rolling out a customized version of StarCite's Online Marketplace.

"We're using the StarCite database for hard data, but we are putting on top of that our associates' anecdotal information, or soft data, about meeting sites," said HelmsBriscoe executive vice president Greg Malark.

The company's 410 associates, who work as independent contractors, generate some 10,000 RFPs annually. Last year, HelmsBriscoe booked more than one million group room nights for about 16,000 meetings.

The best way for a hotelier to promote hot rates or critical dates to attract HelmsBriscoe and all meeting planners shopping their destination is by targeting them through StarCite media, available through TravelCLICK.

The Blackstone Hospitality Group is extending TravelCLICK's portfolio of electronic marketing products to all of its owned properties. As ownership groups have become increasingly involved in electronic marketing, TravelCLICK anticipates other ownership groups to follow Blackstone's lead.

The Blackstone Hospitality Group owns the Savoy Group of five luxury hotels in Britain, Homestead Suites extended stay hotels, the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, the Hyatt Maui Resort, the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, MD, and The Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. Blackstone also has part ownership of Libertel Hotels and several Sofitel properties in Europe.

"TravelCLICK's products and people are essential for optimizing net revenue of Blackstone properties," said John Ceriale managing director of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors.

"We are delighted to provide our electronic marketing tools and on-site consultative support to Blackstone Hospitality," said Richard W. Gray, chairman and co-CEO of TravelCLICK. "The best practices of hospitality sales and marketing are always sought out by the leaders in the industry."