Creative Pay-It-Forward 2013

January is always a difficult month and we wanted to spread some good feeling around. There's a Facebook viral going around at the moment based on the 2000 film with Kevin Spacey "Pay it Forward"

We put a messge on our Facebook page Facebook.com/BelmoreCourt stating that we were willing to give-away FIVE 1 night stays in a Superior Room to fans who were willing to "Pay-It-Forward".

The jist of this idea is that Belmore Court & Motel are paying it forward by giving 5 people the chance of staying in their Motel, those 5 people are then supposed to pay it forward to 5 other people ( not 1 ) it should really be things that those people can't do for themselves or cant afford to do for themselves ( it does not have to be a lot of money ) but should be something that will make a difference to their lives in some way. Those 5 people should then pay it forward to 5 more.

It was great fun responding to all the communications and within minutes we have 5 worthy winners. These are their "Pay-It-Forwards".....

Sharon E Rooney is paying if forward by by organising a collection jar at work, for her and her colleagues to put any spare change etc and dontaing the money she raises to make a wish foundation. She is also making 4 additional delicious cheese cakes for 4 other people who are going to pay-it-forward.


Emma Marley is going to give the night to her sister and bake four yummy pavlovas for her facebook friends that pay-it-forward. She might even do one for us.


Samantha Baker-Read is going to pay it forward by giving it to my mum and dad who have 8 children 13 grandchildren and in 34years never had a night in a hotel!!


Lynsey McCracken will pay it forward by making a paella for first 5 facebook friends to reply and then ay-it forward


Bronagh Keenan wIll crochet 5 things for 5 of her facebok friends who replied to her status and then pay-it-forward.


NOTE: Sharon then contacted us to say "I will give my stay to leeanne, I know her and know that her mum is very ill at the minute and I think that she deserves this more than me. I will still carry out my pay it forward though."

We got some great comments and suggestions but we loved this one from Margaret who didn't even win...

"thank you so much for doing this belmore court, as your publicity will probably give it legs, there a few different versions of this going on and i was having difficulty getting people to sign up to one, it's a great idea .. and the movies of the original amazing - if you haven't seen do try to"

There's still time for the rest of you guys to stay with us as part of the winter sale with rooms from £39/night. Click here to check availability....

Belmore Court & Motel wins best Online Strategy

Last Friday night Mary and I attended the inaugural Digital Advertising Northern Ireland (DANI) awards in the Hilton Hotel, Belfast. We had been nominated in 3 different categories; Best Viral, Best Mobile App & Best Online Strategy.

Almost 200 people filled the function room at the awards and we were seated at a table along with Todds Leap and Creative Media. I think we were the only table West of the Bann.

The judges included;  Left to right Maurice Mulvenna, Professor of Computer Sciences at University of Ulster; Katrina Doran, Editor of Sugahfix.com; (back) Director Repknight Online Reputation Management, Ruan O'Tiarnaigh, Jill Culbertson, Co-Founder Navajo Talk; John Reid, Managing Director The Gurus Network and (centre- front) Naomh McElhatton, Managing Director Digital Advertising Northern Ireland.

After a great meal and a bit of craic Nuala McKeever took to the stage and managed to slag off most of the people in the room and tell some great jokes. Nuala then proceeded to announce the shorlisted companies. Anticipation filled the air while the noise from the audience decreased.

In our first nomination our Viral advert for the Best Viral featuring my 8 year old son, Lewis, doing a video tour of the Belmore Court & Motel was up against the Belfast Giants singing "All I want for Christmas" and Derry's Ledgendary Campaign. The Giants won and it was hard to complain because Mariah Carey tweeted about it and Sky Sports even featured it. We did achieve Highly Commended status.

The next award we were shortlisted for pitted us against lookaly and another company but it was always gonna be hard to beat the local Lookaly company. there service really is great. Once again we were awards Highly Commended.

At this stage we thought we were going to be the perenial bridesmaids. Our last nomination was for the best Online Strategy. This award reflected the best overall strategy incorporating pay per click, social media, Search engine Optimisation, etc.

I waited nervously on stage with the CIM Ireland and Alzheimers Society while the winner was announced. Finally our name was announced as winner and I was really shocked and just stood there with my Mickey Mouse hands in the air (that's another story).

The judges said "This best overall strategy has been given to a company that has engaged with all the online elements – including continuous developmenf of their website, SEO, PPC, Facebook, YouTube, Ecommerce, online advertising and PR … Showing a clear return on investment making a massive £10 for every £1 spent … direct website revenue now accounts for 40% of overall revenues and they’re listed no.1 on Google."

On collecting the award I was asked for the oppotunity to speak through the microphone. Taking advantage of this I thanked all the team at the Belmore Court & Motel, Bookassist Ireland and my wife Mary. I also thanked Naomh McElhatton for having the courage to organise these types of awards; it really is just the right time for them to happen.

The night went on into the early hours in the morning. As usual it was great to meet old friends and make new ones. Really pleased to meet Grannine Maher and her husband and catching up with Niall McKeown from ION. 

 

We retired to our suite (perk of the hotel industry) and slept well after a very statisfactory night. Spent the next day shopping in Ikea with a sore head. Looking forward to next year already.

It really was an honour to win this award and it was great that Bookassist Ireland were able to help me throughout the years and with the application forms. I look forward to continued success with them in the future.

The DANI Awards 2011 Winners

Best B2B Campaign: Equality Commission (iON)

Best B2C Campaign: Treat Ticket

Best Viral Campaign: Belfast Giants

Best Social Media (SME): Boojum (Mammoth)

Best Social Media (Corporate): Cool FM

Best Mobile App Campaign: Lookaly

Best Web Design: Todds Leap (Creative Media)

Best Online Strategy: Belmore Court & Motel

Business Person of the Year: Russell Moore

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/in-pictures-northern-ireland-digital-advertising-awards-night-16077589.html#ixzz1eHSmDLar

Jumping for Joy!

AN eight year old boy’s take on his daddy’s business has beaten some of the most creative minds in Northern Ireland’s digital advertising industry to be short listed for a major award.

Young Lewis McCartney has become something of a star in his hometown of Enniskillen since he featured in the video to promote his dad’s business, the Belmore Court & Motel.

Father and son were both thrilled last week when the cute video viral showing Lewis giving his “lovely” guided tour of the Belmore court & Motel’s bedrooms, which has been watched by nearly 3,000 people on U Tube, was short listed in the prestigious DANI 2011 awards.

The P5 pupil’s video is up against the might of the Belfast Giants and Derry City of Culture in the Best Viral Campaign category at the awards. Visit www.motel.co.uk to see his tour of the Belmore Court.

The inaugural DANI Awards in association with Invest Northern Ireland and Chain Reaction Cycles, aims to recognise the burgeoning creative and digital online media sector in Northern Ireland.

The ceremony will take place at Belfast’s Hilton Hotel on Friday, November 11 when a  total of nine awards will be presented but it’s way past Lewis’ bedtime so he wont be able to attend.

Terry McCartney, owner of Belmore Court & Motel was thrilled that his simple, low budget promotional video had impressed judges. “We are just a small company where every pound matters and we didn’t have a big budget to blow on a video. Lewis is always in the Belmore Court and we stay overnight regularly and the kids love it. We just thought if we could capture some of his enthusiasm about staying it might be infectious.”

“We didn’t work to a script and just told him to talk and tell it in his own wee words and he did talk -  non stop. He loved doing it and especially as he got a new big piece of Lego at the end of it. He has become a bit of star now with people coming into the motel asking if he is there. He is modest but he is loving it too.”

“We are thrilled that such a small company as ours has been short listed against such large organisations.”

Belmore Court & Motel has been shortlisted in a total of three of the eight DANI Awards categories. The company is also a finalist for the Best App and Best Online Strategy awards.

Naomh McElhatton, founder of The DANI Awards said: ''The judges felt the Belmore Court & Motel fulfilled all the criteria for the category and they demonstrated an understanding of how and why a viral campaign would work for them.

“The content was very relevant to their brand, the campaign hit their target audience, it was just the right length of footage and fitted very well with their family business ethos, aside from that it delivered results - following the coverage on Facebook and their own site - it was mentioned on over 30 bookings and other kids that stayed at the motel wanted to meet Lewis, the owners son who starred in the video!''

The Motel has enjoyed a superb year of success at major awards ceremonies where it has been recognised consistently for its attention to quality service.

Earlier this year Belmore enjoyed the distinction of being the only independent business in Ireland to pick up a Silver Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

The motel also left its larger competitors standing when it was awarded House Keeping Team of the Year and runner up in the Receptionist of the Year categories in the 2011 Northern Ireland Hotel Federation annual awards.

And next month, the Belmore Court & Motel will be one of the finalists in the coveted Chartered Institute of Marketing Ireland Excellence awards; Best Marketing and Sales – Tourism and Hospitality.

Belmore owner Terry McCartney said: “As a small business up against much bigger companies, we are delighted to be singled out for success.

“Having all three of our entries shortlisted in DANI and also making the final of the CIM Marketing Excellence awards has topped what has been a very successful year for us. We really have a team and a product to be proud of.”

Would you make a great Hotel Inspector?

The Hotel Inspector is an observational documentary television series which airs on British terrestrial television station, Channel 5. It is very interesting following Alex Pollizzi changing the way various hotels throughout the UK operate. I'm always amused by the way most hotels don't want to listen to Alex, never mind the customers.

At the Belmore Court & Motel our vision is to become the leading independent Guest Accommodation in Northern Ireland and we recognise that we can't achieve this goal without satisfying you, the customer.

As part of our commitment to making the customer our number 1 priority we regularly organise for a mystery shopper to ensure our product and service exceeds the customer expectation. We are running a competition to win a 2 night break with dinner so that a customer can be a Hotel inspector.

The competition is being organised through our Facebook Fan Page www.facebook.com/BelmoreCourt. All you have to do is to like the page and then enter the competition providing the answer to the question and your name and contact details. Please share the link with your friends.

The winner will then be chosen at random on Thursday 10th November and I shall be in contact to arrange the 2 night break with dinner (Value up to £250) before 11th December 2011. The winner will also be issued with our Mystery Shopper audit form which needs to be completed before, during and after.

The areas to be scored include Internet, Reservation, Arrival, Bedroom, Local Enquiry, Breakfast &; Check out.

To help celebrate the competition and recent awards success we are also having a Winter Sale Special Offer with rooms from £39.00.

500 rooms are available as part of this Special Offer. Visit our website for more details....

NIHF Hospitality Exchange

This week saw the Northern Ireland Hotels' Federation (NIHF) annual conference, Hospitality Exchange, in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast. The NIHF is the membership that represents the Hotel Industry in Northern Ireland.
On Tuesday I left Enniskillen early in the morning arriving at the venue after 9am. There is a great exhibition during the day with presentations dotted throughout the morning and afternoon. It's always a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new ones. I even met Mr Punjana (not his real name) - A great local success story and even better tea!

Terry McCartney, Pamela Emo & Mr Punjana

I attended the Online Marketing session with Frank Reeves from Avvio. Frank gave a very informative talk about how hotels can embrace social media mentioning facebook, twitter and tripadvisor. These websites are becoming integral in the development of a Hotel's online presence; facebook.com/BelmoreCourt & twitter.com/BelmoreCourt.

Guy Levine, Leila Makki & Terry McCartney

After a short break we returned to hear a Tourism Ireland supported presentation by Guy Levine and Leila Makki (presentation). These social media experts gave insights into the industry specifically mobile solutions. Mobile has been identified as the fastest growing medium for Hotel purchases. Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen had already identifiesd this and with the assistance of BookAssist we have developed a mobile web app which can be seen when you visit our website from a web enable phone (like an iPhone).
At the end of the presentation they both greed that ALL hotels should ensure that they provide FREE Wifi, accessible powerpoints and Ipod docking stations in all rooms.
After lunch there was a detailed presentation from Michael Williamson (ASM) on cost control.

Ramesh Rana, James McGinn, Mary & Terry McCartney

On the Wednesday night there was a President's Ball to welcome James McGinn as the new President of the NIHF. Once again it was great to see lots of aquiantences and hotelliers having fun.

500 rooms at £50/room

03 December 2009

To celebrate reaching 500 fans on the Belmore Court & Motel Facebook Fan Page we are selling up to 500 rooms at £50 per room per night bed and continental breakfast for a limited time only - Friday 4th December 2009 10am to 6pm. Advance Purchase Rates apply. Online Bookings Only.

Come to Enniskillen, stay over and enjoy the fabulous new Belmore Court Superior Accommodation for just £50 per room bed and continental breakfast.

The new Belmore Court offers 30 modern, superior and executive bedrooms and with a choice of double, twin, triple and family rooms, the Belmore Court is perfect for business or leisure stays. Finished to the highest of standards, these rooms offer a new level of luxury, space and style. Recently we have been voted top accommodation in Enniskillen and 3rd in Northern Ireland. Read the Belmore Court & Motel reviews or write your own.

Select dates on the right hand side or BOOK NOW - Just select the Advance Purchase Rate - If it's gone it's gone!

Bookings must be made on Friday between 10am and 6pm for dates from Sunday 6th December 2009 to 31st March 2010.

Be Quick - They wont last long!!!!!

_{Terms and Conditions}

_{500 rooms will be made available from 10am on Friday 4th December until 6pm Friday 6th December.}

_{Subject to availability}

_{Advance Purchase Rates - The full amount must be paid at time of booking.}

_{No refunds or changes allowed.}

Don't forget sign up to our Facebook Fan Page and you'll be entered into our free draw for a 2 night break in one of our Executive Suites. Draw takes place on 8th December 2009 @ 6pm