The focus of the 2008 conference is enabling users to leverage Maestro technology to boost revenue from online channels, improve guest service and increase their productivity. We have organized two types of educational sessions and a LAB facility for Hands-On experience, the first type are the General Sessions which include topics common to all modules and the second type are the Interactive detailed Workshops which are module specific.

These sessions and workshops are designed to allow attendees to gain knowledge, provide input, attain effective use of Maestro, and discuss how other properties are maximizing their use of the Maestro suite of solutions. Don’t miss the discussions on how to deploy this new knowledge at your property to maximize opportunities for growth and enhance your guests’ experience!

Private Session Booking - As an exclusive benefit to those registered for the users' conference, you will be able to book ‘private sessions’ with a Maestro product expert. These sessions, with 2 hour time slots, will either be held on site during the conference or will be scheduled for a time within 3 months following the conference and held via our web conferencing facility. This is another way for us to say ‘Thank you’ to our clients. If you would like to see or talk about any components of the Maestro suite of solutions, we will be taking first come first serve bookings.

Maestro 'Web Connection'
Self Serve Channel for Guests and Groups - Maestro's ResWave is being prepared to handle new trends and needs of guests and groups which demand self-serve facilities via the web, Maestro is evolving to serve the new generation of users under control of property access rules. the scope of the functions and features to be available via the web include:

• Guest profile management
• Room booking with yield controls
• Spa & activities booking
• Guest package booking
• Restaurant reservations
• Group rooming lists
• Group member reservations
• Condo owner access and booking

This is a low cost 2-way real-time reservations channel and a self serve tool to integrate your clients with your operations and contribute to your staff efficiency, this will result in reservations cost reduction and staff caring for guests.

GDS, 2-Way & Yield Controls Reservations Channel - This session will provide a review of the current options available in Maestro for GDS and online booking integration. A presentation and discussion of the GDS 2-way integration and how control is given to the property via the pro-active yield facility, the scope of this interface will expand to include guest activities and group management features as allowed by each interface.

Note: Maestro 'Web Connection' and Maestro GDS 2-way interface are designed to co-exist and provide two powerful reservation channels to maximize revenue and reduce costs.

Dynamic Packaging, Integrated Booking Process & Recognition - Learn about the new expanded functionality of Dynamic Packaging to save staff time and serve the guest effectively based on their needs. Learn how to create “packages on the fly” and book activity details. Dynamic Packaging will include the following components: guest privileges assignment & reconciliation, ticket printing, consolidated itineraries, booking of 3rd Party Activities, SPA services and Other Charges. Based on the Rate Type setup, Maestro will guide users to book any required package components with an option to finalize the booking during the guest stay. The session will also include a review of the last phase of this function which will allow guests to book their own package via 'Web Connection' facilities. Don’t miss out on learning the new options to set-up packages, process guest privileges and reconcile package components.

Yield Management & Revenue Optimization - Discuss, learn and contribute to this highly critical aspect of Maestro and your operations. Learn how to use integrated, proactive Yield Strategies based on such key factors including guest type, rate type, room type, rate type and room type groupings, corporate accounts and groups, based on a variety of user established criteria. Learn how to apply rates to manage corporate and group contracts, how to set-up proactive strategies to maximize room revenue during peak periods and shoulder seasons, learn how to control rates by booking dates, arrival dates, day of week, occupancy level, lead time, length of stay and several other factors. Discover how easy it is to be the most productive Revenue Manager using Maestro.

Maestro Analytics Views - New & Integrated - This session will introduce the latest data-mining views updated to support the guest centric design which allows consolidation of guest information from all modules for management use. Attendees will learn about Business Intelligence (BI) Tools and will be introduced to ways to initiate marketing campaigns and activities using these tools. 

360 Degrees CRM - Guest Centric Design - This interactive workshop focus is on guest recognition and communications; we will introduce the latest expansion of Maestro features and modules (such as guest-ID card) to assist Maestro users with gathering client information and effectively communicating with clients. We will discuss how to use this information for marketing initiatives and provide enhanced guest experience. Utilization of performance and management reporting tools (Maestro Analytics) directly through Maestro will also be discussed to support varied management needs. Learn first-hand how you can leverage this solution to enhance guest service, gain a 360 degree view of your guest at every touch point and increase overall profitability.

On Demand Learning Facility - The objectives of our interactive LAB facilities are to provide attendees with an educational and relaxed environment to learn about, discuss and have time for hands on practice on additional Maestro topics that do not have scheduled sessions. The LAB will ensure that attendees have the opportunity to visit with a Maestro expert at one of six (6) work areas to discuss topics of choice and topics not covered by a scheduled workshop as follows:

• Guest ID Cards
• Gift Cards Management
• Owner Management-Condominium & Timeshare
• Work Order Management
• Retail POS
• Table Reservations
• Lost & Found
• Client Profile Management including the Maestro Merge Purge feature
• Tour Operators Facilities
• SDC Interface Q&A
• Online Tutorial Viewing Station
• Analytics & Custom Reports

Gift Card Management - Learn how this additional module can provide great service to your guests. Gift cards can be issued, redeemed and reloaded at any point of guest contact. See the effective operational and management reporting that are available in this integrated module.

Work order Management - Discover how the new enhancements to Work Order module can help manage maintenance duties and tasks more effectively while allowing for cost tracking and reporting. Review the ways in which Work Orders can be billed back to owners to recapture costs.

Online Internet Table Reservations - This module is part of the ‘Web Connection’ suite of products which features table booking optimization, integration with Maestro client profiles, and integration with guest room reservations to provide effective guest services.

Owner Management-Condominium & Timeshare - This workshop will include a presentation of the latest features added to Maestro Condo & Timeshare Owner Management during the last 18 months. Don’t miss the exciting new integration with other Maestro modules to help your property minimize the time spent with owner billing and reconciliation including new reports and statement printing. Learn about the scope of this module and how it will help your condo and timeshare operations in areas including integrated work order management, owner reservations and on line owner’s statements.

Wholesale & Tour Operators - Review the integrated features to assist with the management of Wholesalers and Tour operators including set-up, guest or group reservation process, rates suppression, display controls and integrated billing and A/R management.

Lost & Found Management - See how this integrated feature available throughout Maestro can help you manage guest inquiries for lost items, track found items including locations and descriptions and match guest requests.

Standard Rate Management – FIT & Groups  - Join this session to learn about the various rate configuration options available and how they can help you provide rate option to your guests. This workshop will feature functional examples of all standard rates that can be configured within Maestro and will include a discussion to review how rates can be controlled by guest type, group, company, Length of Stay as well as several other Yield strategies.

Package Rate Management – Set-up & Controls - This session is a continuation of the Standard Rates Management workshop with a focus on various package setup and taxation options, package templates and dynamic packages. A full overview of package billing and posting will allow attendees to determine which packaging options work best in their environment and how the reservation process can be modified to assist with the selling of package rates.

Integrated Reservations Process - As part of a Package Rate Type configuration, Maestro allows users to define a unique reservation process which may include the booking of 3rd Party Activities and SPA services utilizing system setup controls at the rate type level. Join us to learn how this provides an integrated reservation process to support dynamic packages booking and to serve the clients’ needs in one call.

Group Management & Group Reports - This workshop will include all details of the latest features added to Maestro to assist in the management of this integral part of your Group operations. See the flexible charge routing options and integration with Front Desk & Yield Management as well as tools within Maestro for management of large groups. Specific group reporting will also be discussed to help with the management of group needs and analysis. All of this and more will be discussed in detail to help you adapt them to your operations effectively.

Charge Routing – Set-up & Controls - Learn and discuss the latest details of this powerful facility to manage group charges with flexibility available up to the check out time of the guest or group master. Rules can be setup based on dates of stay and revenue categories that can be applied to all guests or to allow individual guests of the group to have their unique routing options which override the group rules.

Front Desk Best Practices – Features Overview - This interactive session will include review of the built in features to maximize the efficiency of Front Office operations. Join us to review how to more efficiently manage guests, groups, wholesalers and Tour Operators, Internet and property inventory more effectively. Don’t miss out on these exciting guest oriented and time saving management tools!

Front Desk Dashboard - New for version 4.19, the new Front Desk Dashboard feature provides a user based on screen facility designed to help staff perform daily tasks, guest management including messaging and provide a Front Desk daily overview to manage and control tasks more accurately.

Front Desk Rapid Operations - Various high volume FIT and Group management operations can be made easier and more efficient via rapid operations in Maestro. Learn how your staff can utilize batch messaging, rapid check in and checkout, increase efficiency in locating reservations and much more using Rapid Operation tools to perform tasks in a timely manner.

Front Desk Operational Reporting - Day to day operations are supported by this special reporting session to help Front Desk teams learn about the reports available and how they can help your staff manage arrivals, departures, in-house guests, client profiles and their special needs to help ensure that your guests are served well and always want to come back.

Front Desk Management & Performance Reporting - In response to client requests, we added the new FIT PACE REPORT in addition to the existing GROUP PACE REPORT. Join us to review these robust areas of Maestro and learn more about the standard and the new reports to help management make decisions, track productivity, review rate performance and monitor booking trends and forecasts.

Front Desk Pace Reporting - Learn how Maestro now tracks day to day changes in demand for transient bookings for guest reservations and how this can be used as an invaluable tool in your yield management strategies.

Front Desk Flash Report - The new Front Desk Flash Report allows properties to organize their daily statistics in one easy to read format. Learn how this report allows a property to bring multiple statistics into one consolidated report.

A/R Management - This workshop will focus on A/R as an open item system and will include an overview of receipt management, centralized options and Tour operator features. Designed to help with the management of accounts and effective analysis to collect unpaid invoices, this centralized module consolidates billings from all modules to provide a productive working environment to accounting staff.

Receipts Processing - Maestro folios need to be settled individually as open items and may be paid partially, learn how to apply receipts individually or automatically to older open invoices, receipts may be applied partially and in whole to multiple invoices in one process and to multiple accounts.

Permanent Folios Management - Management of permanent folios is critical to managing various accounting aspects. Join us to learn about the options available to help your accounting staff.

Guest Folios Management & Shift Reporting - The understanding of how to manage folios and respond to guest needs in a timely manner is critical for your operations. Folio configuration and templates are critical to managing standard guest and accounting needs including special features to allow manipulation of charges when guest demands are not standard. Join us to learn more on how to use these features effectively and review how Shift Reporting can be efficiently run in various options based on your daily reporting needs.

Housekeeping Operations, Billing & Assignments - Join us to discover how enhanced housekeeping features will help you provide varied housekeeping services based on the guest’s assigned rate type. Attendees will learn how to assign cleaning times by room type and service, maximize room assignments to staff based on stations and automatically charge for extra services not included in the basic rate.

Alternate Inventory Management - Learn how this module features will help you serve your guest needs and manage non room inventory requirements for items such as equipment rentals, cribs and cots. See how these items can be assigned and billed directly on a guest reservation or as a standalone booking, using Daily, Monthly or Per Hour billing options and folio management.

Night Audit, Balancing & Reports -This workshop includes a tutorial and discussion of the latest features and controls added to manage folios, postings, multiple ledgers & credit card auditing. Discussions invite participation from property attendees to discuss best practices and procedures for efficient night audit and balancing process.

Package Reconciliation - This workshop will provide a review of the new package reconciliation feature including how it works, best practices for optimization and reconciliation during the night audit. Learn how the processing is handled and see how reports will help you evaluate package utilization by guest and determine if changes are needed for future initiatives and offerings.

Policies Set-Up - Learn how to set-up and utilize this facility to assist your staff serve guests and implement property policies as part of Maestro functions such as cancellation, charges, deposits and no show.

Travel Agent Management - The scope of this interactive workshop will include details of the latest features and controls available to manage single and multi-property needs for reservations, agent commission handling, printing and reconciling of commission checks in multiple currencies. Travel Agency specific reporting allows for the full evaluation of agency and agent productivity, commission details and check reconciliation.

Sales & Catering Operations  - Discussions will also include Front Desk integration, billing procedures and integration with other modules, client preferences and forms management. A discussion of key reports to review performance and productivity by Sales Managers, clients, function rooms and various other key factors will also be discussed.

Sales & Catering Dash Board - See how the Sales & Catering Dash Board feature provides a user based on screen display designed to help staff monitor daily tasks and trace message follow, booking and contact management and view scheduled and upcoming events at a glance

Booking Management - In this workshop, come and participate in our in-depth interactive tutorial that discusses effective client management, creating and managing booking inquiries, various booking options and processes, forms management and billing options. See how to use integrated booking options to manage and duplicate bookings, generate contracts and integrate bookings with the Front Desk for a full service operation.

Sales & Catering BEO Management - Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about single and multiple day event management including an in depth overview of function room management, menu and item planning, forms management for effective client and internal communications and various other key factors critical to event management.

Integrated Sales & Catering  Billing & Auditing - The understanding of how to audit bookings and provide clients with accurate billing in a timely manner is critical for your operations. Join us to learn more on about billing options to A/R and to an integrated Front Desk booking, discuss the various revenue streams and ledger billing options as well as reporting and balancing tools.

Sales & Catering Reporting - Sales & Catering daily operations and management reporting requirements are supported by this special reporting session to help Sales and Conference Services teams learn about the reports available. Join us to review this robust area of Maestro and learn more about the standard and the new reports to assist with client management, help management make decisions, track productivity, review booking performance and monitor booking trends and forecasts.

Sales & Catering Analytics & Pace Reporting - Maestro Sales & Catering builds a nightly snapshot of all active bookings and captures key associated statistics. Learn how both various PACE reports within Maestro, as well as Maestro Analytics, allow you to learn, analyze and track your bookings, as well as compare to budget, prior years and periods.

Sales & Catering Set-Up and Maintenance - Join us to discuss the various setup and maintenance configuration options that are available to assist staff with effective booking and event management. This interactive overview will include system and setup options, special items and inventory management and forms maintenance.

Sales & Catering Menu Planning Maintenance - See ways to effectively manage your event menus in Maestro, create new and temporary Food & Beverage items and audit existing items. A review of available auditing reports and client forms as well as various tools to maximize efficiency during menu creation will also be reviewed.

Contract Word Merge / Reports Export - Learn how Maestro allows a property to create many different types of forms and communications with customers via integration with Microsoft Word and Crystal Reports. Learn how to integrate these forms into your Maestro Sales & Catering to provide enhanced contact management tools to your staff.

Maestro Spa Services - Significant enhancements have been added to help with guest recognition, booking from guest history, quick booking features, VIP status, gratuities processing and dynamic packaging with Front Desk reservations. Follow along with an in-depth tutorial of the latest features and see how Maestro can manage your Spa & Activities requirements within this fully integrated module. See how the Spa & Activities module integration with other Maestro modules can assist your property in serving your guests with the highest quality service, manage their specific requests and easily track treatment changes and modifications.

Retail POS - This full featured Maestro module is designed as an integrated tool with other Maestro modules in order to support retail operations including Spa, Front Desk, Golf Pro-shop and Gift Shops. Learn how you can take advantage of this highly functional and integrated module available to help you serve your guests. Find out how easily and effectively retail transactions can be processed to a guest room, manage inventory and apply gratuities and commissions to retail sales.

3rd Party Activities Management - 3rd Party Activities can now be booked as part of the guest reservation itinerary as well as part of dynamic packages along with SPA services. Learn how you can use this facility to serve your guest needs, price each activity based on specific times and days of the week and reconcile third party billing.

Membership Management - Join us to review this new integrated module added to Maestro suite of products and see how the integration with client profiles and A/R provides maximum operational efficiency to staff and management. Client recognition will be easy and service will be enhanced with features such as: the use of common client profiles, membership types and billing options, F&B minimums tracking, Loyalty recognition and discounts management, consolidated member statement, direct billing to member accounts from any point of the resort, acceptance of EFT payments to member accounts, facilities usage tracking, turnstile activation, member photo production and reference as well as operational and management reporting.

PCI Compliancy & Security - Maestro is now PCI compliant, we will review how Maestro responded to this need and address the broad and somewhat open-ended PCI guidelines. The session will review solutions for encryption, authentication and content control that can help address PCI requirements for protecting cardholders stored data and implementing strong access control measures. This will help you determine whether you are compliant with the PCI standard, and provide you with specific and practical steps to plan and take actions.

Maestro Diamond Plus Service Program - The focus of this session is on finding ways to improve our services and communications with Maestro users and improve their utilization of Maestro. Creating the foundation and establishing ground rules in managing expectations, communications and service. Learn and discuss the latest initiatives of our Diamond PLUS Service Program expanded to focus on knowledge and effective operations. Discuss with us plans to expand this service offering even more. Topics will include On line Webinars, On line User Guides, New HELP & Link facility, Quick Reference Guides (QRG) and Remote Training sessions.

Maestro Development Strategies - This session will provide us an opportunity to share with you our strategies to advance Maestro as an effective tool to respond to operational needs as they develop, we are convinced that our strategies are compatible with industry trends as they unfolded since 1981.

Charting Our Future Together–Maestro Future Development - We want to learn about what is important to you in addition to the enhancement requests sent to us regularly, it is part of what guides our efforts and it is what keeps us focused in our development efforts, we will do our best to respond in a timely manner. This session starts with a quick review of what has been implemented since the last conference and will be followed with a discussion of the planned developments for the next 18 months. Your feedback and priorities are invited and will be solicited to help with development details and schedule planning. Make sure not to miss this session and let us know what you, as the users, would like to see next!