Paul van Meerendonk
Senior Manager – Advisory Services
IDeaS Revenue Solutions
Paul is the Vice Chair of HSMAI Europe Revenue Management Advisory Board.
Q: What does a day at work consist of for you?
A: I am either travelling and working with clients on innovative and exciting Revenue & Pricing projects or I am on conference calls with our scientists analysts and advisory team members around the world from China and South-east-Asia to London and the US.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: Bringing innovation in analytics and pricing optimisation to clients at all levels to help them stay ahead of the curve.
Q: Do you have anyone you’ve looked up to?
A: That would be my father. As a hotel general manager he showed that taking risks working hard and focusing on your family and friends can be combined – and that you can have fun while doing it!
Q: Do you have any nice traditions at your office?
A: Most of my team is home-based or located in offices around the world. Therefore the best tradition we have is to make sure that we all meet together once a year to celebrate our successes and to plan together for the future. It has provided a solid foundation for the team and created great bonds even across great distances.
Q: For how long have you been a member ofæHSMAI?
A: I have been a member of HSMAI for about two years now – joining both HSMAI Europe and the HSMAI Europe Revenue Management Advisory Board when both were growing in importance across the continent.
Q: What do you think is the best thing about HSMAI?
A: There are actually two things: 1) It is a great way to meet industry colleagues and interact both professionally and socially. 2) HSMAI allows and enables these relationships to grow and foster innovation and growth for the industry as a whole.
Q: Are there any activities or projects you think HSMAI should start up?
A: The HSMAI Europe RM Advisory Board has recently launched both an educational Webinar series and introduced efforts to help develop young RM professionals. I believe these initiatives are great in helping younger or new colleagues to learn and grow within the industry. I look forward to HSMAI Europe continuing down this path to help our industry’s continued development.
Q: Describe your perfect weekend.
A: My perfect weekend would be travelling to a new city or town for leisure (not business!) enjoying the local culture food and activities together with family and friends.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island what would you take with you if you could choose just one thing?
A: Fire – I’ve seen enough survival shows to know that without fire you won’t get anything done!
Q: What is the title of the book about your life?
A: The eternal journey – destination unknown.
Q: What is your next travel destination?
A: For work I have Las Vegas on the calendar as my next planned trip (there are worse places!). For leisure I would love to go to one of the great cities in Italy this year.
Q: Do you have any special hobbies?
A: People would be surprised that with all the travel I do for my work travelling is still one of my biggest hobbies.
Q: Thank you for your time. Do you have any personal comments?
A: I’m really looking forward to the HSMAI Europe ROC conference in February to meet up with old and new friends and colleagues. See you all there!
Photo: Paul van Meerendonk Senior Manager – Advisory Services IDeaS Revenue Solutions. Photograph from IDeaS Revenue Solutions.
