For more than a decade the Preferred Supplier Programme and Directory has become an extremely valuable and effective tool for accommodation managers.

It allows managers to access industry specialists who are committed to the highest levels of service. This is extremely helpful for everybody but especially new managers as it allows them to benefit from the positive experiences other managers have had with their suppliers.

The Preferred Supplier Programme began originally in Queensland but demand has now seen this extend throughout Australia in the last few years. To the extent that interstate suppliers are now rivalling the traditional base for the programme.

Below are listed the stages of the process that ensure only the best industry suppliers can participate in the Preferred Supplier Programme:

1.All suppliers must receive a nomination from a complex currently using their services who are satisfied with their levels of service and are prepared to recommend them to another complex in the industry (ie. if asked by another manager they could comfortably recommend the required supplier).

2.All nominations received are then qualified through a secondary questionnaire process, to ensure nominated suppliers are able to provide the highest levels of service required and expected by managers.

3.Suppliers that still qualify are then asked to commit to the required levels of service for the next 12 months, guaranteeing their commitment to the industry.

4.Subject to the satisfaction of these processes and commitments suppliers then go on to the Preferred Supplier Database. Only Preferred Suppliers in this database have the opportunity to utilise the Preferred Supplier Logo and make their contact details available to managers via the Preferred Supplier Directory, located in every issue of the Hotel Motel & Resort News and Accommodation Managers Guide.

5.Preferred suppliers have their status reviewed every 12 months to ensure they still qualify and that their commitment to the industry is being met.

With these criteria in place this means that you as a manager have access to a complete range of specialist suppliers who are actively seeking to improve their services to the accommodation industry.

For your own ‘peace of mind’ when dealing with any supplier ask if they are a ‘Preferred Supplier’. This can be verified by viewing a Preferred Supplier logo – made available for use in any of their stationary or marketing material, or more simply by initially locating them in the Preferred Supplier Directory.

So when looking for products or services give yourself the peace of mind that you are dealing with a recognised industry specialist and support these suppliers who are committed to servicing your needs.