The Joule Dallas

CSS Awards compiles an archive of the best websites found on the Internet, those that seamlessly combine customer usability with cutting-edge design and search engine-friendliness.

Launched in late 2011, The Joule Dallas website features high-res images, an easy-to-navigate site structure and a readily accessible Calendar of Events and Featured Specials menus. Other features include social media integration, search engine optimization for prime search results placement, booking engine connection and a hotel blog.

The sleek and sophisticated design of the site aims to reflect the spirit of this Downtown Dallas boutique hotel in every detail. The 129-room stunner embodies the creative spirit of one of the nation’s largest cities with its exclusive style, featuring an Interactive Library, unique event space, an intimate rooftop pool and café, a modern fitness center, and fine dining at Charlie Palmer.

Visit the website today to see what the award-winning team at HeBS Digital has created and why the site is being recognized on www.cssawards.net among other leading sites.

HeBS Digital received the following Davey Awards:

Gold Davey Award | Website Category:

• Brush Creek Ranch

Silver Davey Award | Website Category:

• Hotel Roger Williams
• Las Vegas Hilton

“Today’s hotel website must adhere to very high expectations. The recent Google Panda Updates require hotel websites to feature more creative content, interactivity, and faster download speeds. The latest Google “Freshness” update requires that hotel websites consistently maintain fresh and new content to rank high in the search engines. These awards are indicative of HeBS Digital’s ability to evolve with the expectations of today’s travel consumer, as well as the dynamics of this industry,” said Max Starkov, President & CEO of HeBS Digital.

The Davey Awards, judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), are presented to honor outstanding creative work from the best small firms in the world. The 2011 Davey Awards received nearly 4,000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, design firms, and more.

“As a newly-launched independent luxury destination, The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch relies upon an engaging web presence to communicate its distinguishing attributes and a realistic understanding of the brand experience,” stated Jan Grabow, Director of Marketing for the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch. “We appreciate being recognized as a leader in this category and strive to achieve ongoing results that have impact.”

About HeBS Digital:
Founded in 2001, HeBS Digital is the industry’s leading full-service hotel digital marketing, website design and direct online channel strategy firm based in New York City (http://www.hebsdigital.com/).

HeBS Digital has pioneered many of the “best practices” in hotel Internet marketing, social and mobile marketing, and direct online channel distribution. The firm has won over 150 prestigious industry awards for its digital marketing and website design services, including numerous Adrian Awards, Davey Awards, W3 Awards, WebAwards, Magellan Awards, Summit International Awards, Interactive Media Awards, and IAC Awards.

A diverse client portfolio of over 500 top tier major hotel brands, luxury and boutique hotel brands, resorts and casinos, hotel management companies, franchisees and independents, and CVBs has sought and successfully taken advantage of the hospitality Internet marketing expertise offered at HeBS Digital. Contact HeBS’ consultants at (212) 752-8186 or success@hebsdigital.com.

About the Davey Awards:

The Davey Awards is an international creative award focused exclusively on honoring outstanding creative work from the best small firms worldwide.  The 2011 Davey Awards received nearly 4,000
entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms and public relations firms.

David defeated the mighty Goliath with a big idea and a little rock.  That is the sort of thing small firms do every day.  The Davey Awards honors the achievement of the “Creative David’s” where
strength comes from ideas, intelligence and out-of-the-box thinking, not a “Giant’s” bankroll. Great work is about fresh ideas and exceptional execution, not the biggest budgets.  The Davey
levels the playing field so entrants compete with only their peers and can win the recognition they deserve.

Editorial Contact:
Mariana Mechoso Safer
HeBS Digital
Phone: 702-463-1857
Email: mariana@hebsdigital.com
Web: http://www.hebsdigital.com

HeBS Digital received Silver W³ Awards for the following projects:

• Brush Creek Ranch (www.brushcreekranch.com)
• New York Palace (www.newyorkpalace.com)
• Las Vegas Hilton (www.lvhilton.com)
• Hotel Roger Williams (www.therogernewyork.com)
• “Big Break” Indian Wells Sweepstakes
• “You’re the Star” Silver Legacy Sweepstakes
• Loews Hotels Mobile Site (www.loewshotels.com/m)

“In this hyper-connected social and mobile world, hoteliers need to think beyond just the hotel website and develop multi-channel marketing campaigns that engage users across all “digital touch points”. HeBS Digital strives to reach today’s hyper-interactive travel consumer by creating not just award-winning, fully-interactive websites, but also digital marketing campaigns such as interactive contests and sweepstakes, mobile websites and initiatives to reach potential hotel guests at multiple touch points for compounded effect” said Max Starkov, President & CEO of HeBS Digital.  “These awards are indicative of our ability to create intuitive user experiences that lead to customer engagement across all existing digital marketing channels, and we are proud have earned this recognition and to share these prestigious awards with our clients.”

The W³ Awards recognize creative excellence on the Internet, ranging from outstanding websites to web advertising, online video and mobile applications. The awards are sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), an invitation-only group of top-tier professionals from advertising, interactive, marketing and media firms.

Commenting on the award, Ken Ciancimino, Executive Vice President of Administration, said, “this honor reinforces HeBS Digital as the industry leader in Internet marketing for the hospitality industry.  Our property maintains an extremely high set of standards for everything we do and HeBS Digital greatly exceeded our expectations with the creation of our new website.  They achieved exactly what we were looking for by providing online users with a quality and engaging experience, sophisticated and easy-to-use navigation and vivid imagery.  This new website allows the Las Vegas Hilton to secure a stronger position relating to online room bookings in the competitive Las Vegas market.”

HeBS Digital received the following Travel Weekly Magellan Awards:

Gold Magellan Awards in the Hotels and Resorts | Web Marketing/Advertising Category:

• Shell Vacations Hospitality Black Friday Travel Interactive Scavenger Hunt and Sweepstakes
• Valencia Group’s Search Engine Marketing campaigns

Silver Magellan Award in the Hotels and Resorts | Web Marketing/Advertising Category:

• Silver Legacy Resort Casino’s the ‘You’re the Star’ Interactive Sweepstakes

“Today’s hyper-interactive travel consumer has very high expectations for hotel websites and digital marketing campaigns,” said Max Starkov, President & CEO of HeBS Digital. “HeBS Digital’s products and services have consistently evolved to meet these expectations and to reach our clients’ audiences at multiple touch-points during the travel planning process. By launching campaigns simultaneously across various channels, such as the hotel website, an Interactive sweepstakes mini-site and search engine marketing campaigns, we are able to produce a much greater effect than launching these campaigns on their own. These awards are a testament to how Direct Online Channel multi-marketing initiatives such as these can be both innovative and ROI-driven at the same time, and we are proud to share these with our valued strategic clients.’

From design to marketing to client services, the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honors the best in travel and salutes the outstanding travel professionals behind it all.

“Valencia Group has been working with HeBS Digital for over four years now, and every month they have made a point to keep us on top of the latest search engine marketing trends and continuously optimize our campaigns for increased performance,” said Wendy Norris, Corporate Director of Revenue for Valencia Group. “The result is that our search engine marketing campaigns drive significant revenues for the Valencia Group portfolio of hotel websites and have become an integral part of our online success.”

About Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS Digital):

Founded in 2001, Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS Digital) is the industry’s leading full-service hotel digital marketing, website design and direct online channel strategy firm based in New York City (www.HeBSDigital.com).

HeBS Digital has pioneered many of the “best practices” in hotel Internet marketing, social and mobile marketing, and direct online channel distribution. The firm has won over 150 prestigious industry awards for its digital marketing and website design services, including numerous Adrian Awards, Davey Awards, W3 Awards, WebAwards, Magellan Awards, Summit International Awards, Interactive Media Awards, and IAC Awards.

A diverse client portfolio of over 500 top tier major hotel brands, luxury and boutique hotel brands, resorts and casinos, hotel management companies, franchisees and independents, and CVBs has sought and successfully taken advantage of the hospitality Internet marketing expertise offered at HeBS Digital. Contact HeBS’ consultants at (212) 752-8186 or info@hebsdigital.com.

About the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards

Travel Weekly and TravelWeekly.com are the most influential B2B news resources for the travel industry, delivering news, analysis and research for travel professionals. In-depth coverage of every business sector, including airline, car rental, cruise, destination, hotel and tour operator, makes Travel Weekly an authority in the industry. The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards recognize excellence in each of these categories, honoring successful and innovative industry leaders. Additional information about the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards can be found at travelweeklyawards.com.

• Interactive/Online – Online Marketing Campaign
• Interactive/Online – Microsite

The “12 Days Before Black Friday Travel Sale & Scavenger Hunt” microsite, designed by HeBS Digital, launched on October 31, 2010. The daily scavenger hunt ran for 12 days leading up to Black Friday.  A collaborative effort by all three companies, the campaign was a resounding success in terms of revenue, viral buzz and media coverage. Historically a slow booking period for hoteliers, the sale generated over 2,000% ROAS, significantly added to Shell Vacations Hospitality’s social media following, and increased the brand’s email and mobile opt-in lists. BLAZE PR secured campaign coverage on CNN.com, AOL Travel Online, BusinessReviewUSA.com, Budget Travel, TravelwithVal.com, WTSP.com and more.

Consumers were requested to spread word of the sale through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Digg and YouTube. Daily prizes included single-night complimentary stays in Las Vegas, given to 12 winners on the 12th day, five-night stays at any Shell Vacations Hospitality resort, and more. The grand prize was a five-night stay at a beachfront resort in Kauai, including an airfare voucher. The grand prize was awarded at random to one of the entrants who collected all 12 clues by returning to the interactive site each day.

“Shell Vacations Hospitality is proud to accept these prestigious awards” said Shallana Lynn Edwards, Director of eMarketing. We achieved all of our campaign goals of boosting year-over-year revenue on the website, increasing awareness of Shell Vacations Hospitality’s discounted rates to 20 destinations, and considerably increasing our social media, email and mobile opt-in lists for future marketing efforts. Shell Vacations is thankful that AMA Phoenix has recognized the creativity and results of this campaign, and for the support provided by our partners BLAZE PR and HeBS Digital. ”

The awards were presented at the 2011 Spectrum Awards ceremony, held this past May at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. AMA Phoenix granted 42 awards in 11 categories, including one “Best in Show” award that carried across all the categories. In addition to earning the “Best in Show” title, Shell Vacations Hospitality garnered recognition for “Best Online Marketing Campaign” and “Best Microsite,” both of which fell under the Interactive/Online category.

The awards will be officially presented at the 18th Annual Frank W. Berkman Tourism Achievement Award Dinner on June 8th.  HeBS Digital will keep you updated on results!

The HeBS – Loews Hotels partnership began in 2009 with a comprehensive, industry-wide gap analysis of the Loews Hotels presence in the online channel and culminated in the fall of 2010 with a beautifully designed, highly interactive, intuitive, multi-language, and scalable website. The foundation of the site is a next generation content management system (CMS) that serves as a platform to manage real-time updates of all textual and image content, on-demand page creation, and automated distribution of new content to channels above and beyond the Loews Hotels website: social media profiles, mobile site, etc. The CMS is comprised of over thirty modules and growing, including a multi-language module, featured specials and featured offers modules, website analytics and meta data modules, each with a specific function to allow Loews Hotels to grow in the direction it needs.

Since its launch and without increasing the marketing budget, the site averages a twenty percent increase in revenues month-over-month. The entire website redesign and CMS investment was recouped within a month. Needless to say, this renowned luxury hotel brand has benefited from HeBS’ best practices in design, navigation, search engine optimization, and CMS development.

The awards earned for this complex brand website are a direct reflection of HeBS’ efforts to generate a cutting-edge, user-friendly design and back-end technology that quickly boosted revenues while delivering an enhanced browsing experience for people looking to make an online reservation at one of the brand’s 19 distinctive properties throughout North America.

Loews Hotels 2010 Website Awards:

• Davey Award- Silver: The annual International Davey Awards honors the achievements of the “Creative Davids” who obtain their strength from big ideas, rather than colossal budgets.
• W3 Award- Silver: The W3 Awards honors exceptional Websites, Web Marketing, Web Video, & Mobile Apps created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers, and creators worldwide.
• Adrian Award- Bronze: The Adrian Awards honors creative brilliance and best practices in hospitality, travel and tourism-related marketing. The competition has grown into the world’s most renowned in advertising, public relations and web marketing, specifically tailored for the travel industry.

According to Jason Price, Executive Vice President at Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, “HeBS launched this web design project with a passionate commitment to accomplish three main goals: to accurately present the luxurious Loews Hotels brand, to substantially boost online revenues, and to provide Loews with the tools needed to keep the website constantly updated and engaging for today’s hyper-interactive traveler. Together, HeBS’ years of experience in the industry, our dedicated team, and input from the talented Loews Hotels team all resulted in a website that clearly has met and exceeded these three goals.”

“Since the beginning, our partnership with HeBS has led to numerous accolades and a significant increase in website revenues” said Lise Struwing, Director, Web Strategy for Loews Hotels. “We look forward to expanding our relationship with HeBS in 2011 and to generating even more revenues from our award-winning website and Internet marketing campaigns.”

About Hospitality eBusiness Strategies:
Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), the industry’s leading Internet marketing strategy consulting firm for the hospitality vertical, is based in New York City. HeBS has pioneered many of the “best practices” in hotel Internet marketing and direct online distribution. The firm specializes in helping hoteliers build their direct Internet marketing and distribution strategy, boost the hotel Internet marketing presence, establish interactive relationships with their customers, and significantly increase direct online bookings and ROIs. A diverse client portfolio of over 500 top tier major hotel brands, luxury and boutique hotel companies, hotel management and representation companies, franchisees and independents, resorts and casinos and CVBs has sought and successfully taken advantage of the firm hospitality Internet marketing expertise.

About Loews Hotels:
Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 18 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience. Loews boasts some of the industry’s most innovative and successful travel programs, including Loews Loves Kids for families and Loews Loves Pets for discerning animals on the road. For reservations or more information on Loews Hotels, call 1-800-23-LOEWS.

In the Hospitality eBusiness Strategies’ 2010 Benchmark Survey on Hotel Internet Marketing Budget Planning and Best Practices, participating hoteliers believed website design/redesign and Web 2.0 initiatives would prove to be two of the strongest revenue generating initiatives this year.  In addition, hoteliers stated they believe that website re-designs, SEO and Web 2.0 produce the best results and highest return on investment (ROI):

Which Internet marketing formats do you believe produce the best results and the highest returns on investment (ROI)?

2009    2010

Website design/redesign                                                 56.3%     61.7%
Website optimization                                                      81.6%     70%
Search optimization – Organic search                                60.9%     58.3%
Web 2.0/Social Media                                                     37.9%     41.7%

In recognition of becoming true partners with its clients, carefully studying their business objectives, tailoring strategic marketing plans, and launching websites and multichannel marketing campaigns with the goal of generating incremental revenues, Hospitality eBusiness Strategies won six Adrian Awards from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and seven Davey Awards.

The results of this strategic direct online channel approach are more than positive. The following case study is based on HeBS’ full-service Internet marketing and direct online channel strategy clients. The study illustrates that investments in the direct online channel (hotel website re-designs, multichannel marketing initiatives, etc.) pay off handsomely:

Return on Investment (ROI) from the Direct Online Channel in 2009:

Total Room Nights Booked:                                             530,605

Total Revenue Generated:                                              $63,900,305

Total Marketing Spend:                                                  $2,004,093

Return on Ad Spent (ROAS)                                             3088% (31:1)

Cost of Website and Campaign Management:                      $2,729,893

Return on Investment (ROI)                                             2,240% (22:1)

“In the most recent HeBS Benchmark Survey, results showed that hoteliers believed website design and Web 2.0 initiatives produced the best results and highest returns. HeBS is in full agreement and designs and conceptualizes every website and multichannel marketing campaign with this in mind. We understand our clients’ principle need—driving hotel bookings in the most cost-efficient way, through the direct online channel. Our multiple Adrian Awards and Davey Awards are a testament to this, and we are honored to share these with our clients,” said Max Starkov, Chief eBusiness Strategist at HeBS.

HeBS received the following website design and multichannel marketing awards:

Adrian Awards:

•          Club Eldorado 60-Day Free Room and Show Giveaway (Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno): Gold Adrian in Digital Marketing

•          AmericInn Scavenger Hunt: Silver Adrian in Digital Marketing

•          JW Marriott Indianapolis 30-Day Giveaway for Meeting Planners: Silver Adrian in Digital Marketing

•          Shell Ultimate Summer Vacation Sweepstakes: Silver Adrian in Digital Marketing

•          Loews Hotels Website: Bronze Adrian in Digital Marketing

•          Viand Website: Bronze Adrian in Digital Marketing

Davey Awards:

•          Greystone Hotels Website: Silver Davey in the Hotel/Lodging Category

•          Champions Fort Wayne Website: Silver Davey in the Restaurant Category

•          Viand Website: Silver Davey in the Restaurant Category

•          Loews Hotels Website: Silver Davey in the Hotel/Lodging Category

•          Valencia Group Website: Silver Davey in the Hotel/Lodging Category

•          Urban Famer Website: Silver Davey in the Restaurant Category

•          Club Eldorado 60-Day Free Room and Show Giveaway (Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno): Silver Davey in the Microsite Category

•          JW Marriott Indianapolis 30-Day Giveaway for Meeting Planners: Silver Davey in the Microsite Category

“In the ultra competitive casino industry, it is only through strategic partnerships with thought leaders like Hospitality eBusiness Strategies that we are able to achieve and maintain our role as market leaders. We are honored to have received these awards and look forward to more exciting marketing campaigns in 2011” said Chad Hallert, Director of E-Commerce & Internet Marketing.

HeBS received the W3 Silver Award for the following hotel, restaurant, mobile and hotel management company websites:

• The Inn at Ohio University: Hotel and Lodging Category
• One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa: Hotel and Lodging Category
• The French Quarters Guest Apartments: Hotel and Lodging Category
• Loews Hotels: Hotel and Lodging Category
• Viand: Restaurant Category
• Richfield Hospitality: Professional Services Category
• Biltmore Hotel Mobile Site: Travel Category
• Hotel Valencia Riverwalk Mobile Site: Travel Category

“We are excited to have won eight W³ Awards and to share them with our clients,” said Max Starkov, Chief eBusiness Strategist at HeBS. “When HeBS designs and launches websites for its clients, including mobile websites, it is imperative to us that the website quickly becomes the client’s biggest and most cost-efficient revenue and lead generator. Additionally, today’s hotel or restaurant website has become  the main hub for multichannel customer engagement, with every Internet marketing initiative leading back to the website, including search engine marketing, email marketing, social marketing, mobile marketing, display advertising, etc. HeBS understands this and creates websites specially designed for customer engagement in this new multichannel marketing environment we live in.”

The W³ is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals. Recognition from the Academy proves that the agency’s work is truly outstanding.

HeBS received the following Travel Weekly Magellan Awards:

Gold Magellan Award:

• Indian Wells Scavenger Hunt: Gold Magellan Award in Hotels and Resorts | Web Marketing/Advertising

Silver Magellan Award:

• JW Marriott Indianapolis 30-Day Giveaway for Meeting Planners: Silver Magellan Award in Hotels and Resorts | Web Marketing/Advertising

• Shell Vacations Hospitality Ultimate Summer Vacation Sweepstakes: Silver Magellan Award in Hotels and Resorts | Web Marketing/Advertising

“Winning these top Magellan Awards for Web 2.0 and multichannel marketing campaigns is confirmation that hoteliers must align their hotel websites and Internet marketing strategies with today’s hyper-interactive traveler. This means providing an engaging experience on the hotel website as well as embracing multi-channel marketing initiatives to reach people at several touch points during their travel planning process” said Max Starkov, Chief eBusiness Strategist at HeBS. “We are excited to share these awards with Indian Wells, JW Marriott Indianapolis, and Shell Vacations Hospitality, and will continue to work hard to create cutting-edge Web 2.0 initiatives and multichannel marketing campaigns that offer even more revenue-generating solutions for all of HeBS’ clients.”

The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honors the best in the travel industry across a broad range of industry segments. Judged by the best names in the industry, the Magellan Awards represent the premier travel industry award.

“We have been working with HeBS for over four years now, and they truly have become a valued extension of our team.  This award is yet another confirmation that they are committed to our success and dedicated to helping us conceptualize and launch campaigns that generate incremental revenues and are truly award-winning. We look forward to working with HeBS on many more exciting and cost-effective Internet marketing campaigns that generate high ROIs in the years to come” said Shallana Edwards, Director of eMarketing at Shell Vacations Hospitality.