How do I tell my regular meeting room clients that I’m selling?
Tell your best clients yourself, in person or by phone, once a sale is firm enough to discuss and your buyer agrees. Say what is changing, what is not, and who they will deal with next. Then follow up in writing so nobody hears it second-hand.
Timing matters. Telling clients too early invites worry and rumours; telling them after the news spreads feels like an afterthought. Agree with your buyer, and check your confidentiality terms, before anyone outside the deal hears about it. Then rank your clients by how much they book and how close you are, and begin at the top.
Keep the message short. Explain that you are selling, who the buyer is if you are allowed to say, and that the rooms, staff and ways of booking stay the same unless you know otherwise. Do not promise things the buyer has not agreed to, such as rates or priority dates. Invite questions and offer an introduction.
After closing, stay available for a short period. A joint visit, a note from the new owner and a quick check on upcoming bookings help the handover feel steady. Note any client who seems unsure, and give the buyer that information so the relationship gets attention early. Prepare a short list of likely questions beforehand, such as whether prices will change or whether your staff are staying, and decide your honest answers. If you do not know yet, say so plainly and promise to follow up. Keep a record of each conversation for the buyer.
Key takeaways
- Agree timing and wording with your buyer before telling any client.
- Call your biggest clients personally, then follow up in writing.
- Do not promise rates or terms the buyer has not accepted.
Related reading
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Selling
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernment7 steps to increase your business’ value—before you sell it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaIndustryHow to sell your business
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