👋 Hey there, it’s Doug!
This week I’m writing about attention—not the cheap, look-at-me kind, but the kind that moves people to action. From helping kids get seen by college coaches to now getting Groupbook seen by teams and planners, I’ve learned one thing: attention is power—and the only sustainable way to earn it is to deliver real value.
We’re in back-to-school mode, wedding season is heating up, and holiday group planning is right behind it. So I’m putting the spotlight on what we’re doing to deserve your attention:
What we’re building (in plain words)
For teams: Simplify team travel to one dashboard for all events.
Create the block, share one link, track pickup, done. Less chaos, more game time.For planners: Empower planners to earn and provide more value to clients.
Room-block tools + commissions/rewards so you can serve guests and grow your business.For new event entrepreneurs: A practical path into event production.
Use hotels as a revenue engine to maximize opportunities and make your first (or next) event feel premium without the headache.
How I’m trying to earn your attention
I’m sharing what we learn in public, highlighting partners doing great work, and giving away templates/checklists that save you time. If you get value from this newsletter, that’s the point—we want Groupbook to be useful long before you ever book a room with us.
Where to start
If you’ve got a tournament, wedding, or holiday group brewing, reply with the city + dates—I’ll point you to great options.
🏨 Partner spotlight- Marryment
In 2023, Laura appeared on Season 7 of The Blox, the largest entrepreneurship competition on television. This pivotal experience marked a turning point for Marryment, propelling the brand into the spotlight and solidifying its position in the industry. They have begun using Groupbook for all of their accommodations and are on pace to save clients big money and earn significant more from teach event
Check them out- https://www.marryment.com/about
🌱 Community & what’s next
I’m a firm believer in building community – the most successful newsletters grew by encouraging referrals and feedback. Here’s how you can get involved:
Tell us your biggest group‑travel pain point. Hit reply and share the headaches you’d like us to fix. Your feedback shapes our roadmap.
Share Free Time with a friend. Our planner/team/org referral program pays $50 per signup. If you know a planner who’d love easier group bookings, send them our way – there’s no limit on referrals!
Stay tuned. We’ll be in your inbox every week with tips, partner stories and a few jokes. If you prefer monthly updates, let us know and we’ll adjust accordingly.
✨ Thank you!
To the many of you who opened and read last week’s inaugural issue—thank you. Your time and attention mean a lot, and they keep me focused on building real value, not noise.
Until next time—here’s to using attention well, and turning it into better trips, better events, and less stress.
Doug Freeman
CEO & Founder, Groupbook
Chief Time-Saver (and reformed attention chaser)