NORCROSS, GA – Unisource Worldwide, Inc. – a global provider of innovative, sustainable, highly efficient solutions across the life cycle of core business operations including product packaging and fulfillment, paper and print management, general supply chain and logistics, and facility solutions – recently held its inaugural Strategic Branding Conference.  The event focused specifically on the Hotel & Lodging industry and was held at the St. Andrews Club & Conference Center in Toronto, Canada, on November 8, 2013. 

“An organization’s unique brand sets a company apart from its competitors, and Unisource’s Brand Efficiency™ platform helps our customers maximize this advantage,” said John Glaze, President – Facility Solutions / North America for Unisource Worldwide.  “Unisource strives to provide our customers with tools to succeed in a highly competitive marketplace, and our inaugural Strategic Branding Conference exceeded our expectations.”

Attendees at the Unisource Strategic Branding Conference for the Hotel & Lodging industry included key senior level marketing executives from the hotel and lodging industry across Canada.  In total, the conference was attended by more than 70 Unisource suppliers, customers, and team members.  

Featured speakers included the following Hotel & Lodging experts:

• Dr. Chekitan S. Dev, Associate Professor of Strategic Marketing and Brand Management at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, who outlined the 10 leading contemporary challenges to branding;
• Julie Cottineau, Founder and CEO of BrandTwist, who highlighted branding as a series of innovative experiences and led the group through a BrandTwist exercise applying inspiration brands to the hospitality experience; 
• Chris Crenshaw, Vice President at STR, who provided an overview of industry trends, projections, and market insight; and,
• Tony Pollard, President of the Hotel Association of Canada, who reviewed the results of his association’s Annual Travel Intentions Survey.

Conference attendees also participated in group panel discussions.  These sessions focused on industry trends, best practices, and innovative new ways to maintain and grow an organization’s brand.

“The Unisource Strategic Branding Conference series is designed to combine industry expertise with Unisource’s Brand Efficiency platform to help customers find their unique value proposition and point of reference in the marketplace.  The objective is ultimately to help our customers set their company apart from the competition and generate greater profitability,” Glaze said.