Building the Better Bedrock

We are pleased to announce this new session for the 2013 Meetingmax Unconvention...

Building the Better Bedrock
Led by Spero Batistatos, President & CEO of the South Shore
Convention & Visitors Authority

Building the Better Bedrock – How the correctly deployed housing plan is an integral part of any DMO's marketing strategy. Join Spero Batistatos, President and CEO of the South Shore CVA, as he discusses the elements of the properly executed housing approach. In this session Mr. Batistatos will cover

• How superior customer service can be achieved through guest’s contact details
• How housing data is used to provide accountability, transparency and when combined with Smith Travel Research (STR) the hotel/motel industry have better and more accurate information
• How “value-adds” can be achieved through targeted offers to demographic matches
• How the contact data can be used to gain valuable feedback from guests after they leave
• How using housing as a tool can lead into larger pieces of business with neighbouring DMO’s

This is the last week to register and reserve hotel rooms!

Secure your spot now

About Spero Batistatos:
Spero began his career in the hospitality industry more than 30 years ago at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. In 1989, he was selected to lead what is now known as the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. During his first 12 years there, he was able to increase the organization's budget 10-fold and facilitate the construction of the Nation's Premiere Visitors Center.

Before returning to Lake County, he was the President and CEO of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. There he led an aggressive marketing program to support Southern New Jersey's $8 billion dollar tourism industry.

He is a "Hoosier" at heart, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics and Public Policy from Indiana University. He’s also completed DMAI's professional certification program, earning the distinguished designation of Fellow Certified Destination Management Executive (FCDME).

He is a graduate of the 2007 inaugural class of Northwest Indiana's FBI Citizens Academy. He was named one of the "Champions of Diversity" by Indiana Minority Business Magazine. Also, under his leadership, the South Shore CVA was honored as one of the "Top 10 Best Places to Work in Indiana" of small to medium size companies two years in a row by the Indiana Chamber.

In July of 2000, Governor Frank O'Bannon honored Spero with the "Sagamore of the Wabash," and in January 2008, he was chosen as one of the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing" by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), one of the highest recognitions in the tourism industry.

He’s served on the Board of Directors for the Travel Industry Association of America in addition to serving numerous local not-for-profit and community boards. He is currently the chairman of the Challenger Learning Center and the Indiana Parenting Institute. He is also a member of the NWI Forum, the Gary Parks Board and the Barden Foundation.

About the Unconvention:
For Organizations and Destinations that want to succeed at housing, this is a must-attend event.

Join us in Vancouver, BC April 10 - 12, 2013 to establish, increase or refine your housing services through tactical expert led learning. We don't believe in sitting in one ballroom all day, it's too boring! We promise to keep you engaged through a diverse offering of learning opportunities and networking events.

We make every effort to foster an environment of open discussion with your peers, those who face the same housing situations you deal with on a daily basis. This conference is the perfect mix of education, networking and fun.

$595 for first registration, $450 for each additional registration. This includes all learning sessions, networking events, transportation, food and beverage. Accommodation and flights not included. 

etouches and Meetingmax Announce Integration

Companies to offer integrated event registration and housing systems 

Norwalk, CT and Vancouver, BC; March 19, 2013 – Event software specialists etouches and Meetingmax announced today an integration of their systems. The two companies will offer professional conference organizers a system that leverages etouches’ expertise in attendee engagement and Meetingmax’s online housing reservation capabilities.

"Our partnership with Meetingmax reflects our commitment to providing our customers seamless access to essential, quality solutions," says Leonora Valvo, founder & CEO, etouches. "Meetingmax has developed a focused expertise which, in combination with etouches, is a powerful offering."

The integration will offer event attendees a unified online interface that will take them through the registration process and allow them to book space at one of the event’s participating hotels. This will eliminate the duplication of data entry and give organizers comprehensive data and reporting capabilities.

“etouches and Meetingmax have a lot in common. We are both young companies with intimate knowledge of what it takes to plan events,” says Jeff Duncan, COO Meetingmax Systems. “By working together we can enhance the way we do business and make our clients’ lives easier by offering them a complete package.”

Interestingly, the two companies started out as event management companies. Their founders weren’t satisfied with available event management software solutions so they developed their own, each focusing on different areas. With increasing interest in their software, both etouches and Meetingmax transformed from event planning companies to software companies.

The integration was first developed for a joint client, International Conference Services (ICS). ICS approached the two companies to inquire about integrating their systems to allow for seamless conference registration and housing management.

“With this integration, my team gets their dream system,” says Mathias Posch, President, International Conference Services Ltd. “The system will save a significant amount of staff time and will allow us to be much more strategic with our e-marketing. For example, we can now easily follow up with people who haven’t booked their rooms, without irritating those who have.”

The integrated system is available to meeting planners or conference organizers upon request by contacting either etouches or Meetingmax.

About etouches:

etouches is a global on-demand suite of integrated software applications that help organizations perform every function in the event planning lifecycle. etouches offers tools for: registration, budgeting, project management, scheduling, event microsite, seating, surveying, event marketing, booth purchasing, networking, and DIY mobile applications.

About Meetingmax:

Meetingmax Systems provides the travel industry with the most flexible online housing reservation system. Tailored to meet the needs of convention and visitors bureaus, event planners, and organizations, the system provides users with a simple, yet powerful, means to manage conference and event room bookings. The company is based in Vancouver, BC and can be found online at www.meetingmaxsystems.com.

Building the Better Relationship

We are pleased to announce our second keynote address for the 2013 Meetingmax Unconvention...

Building the Better Relationship
Led by Allie Mooney, coming all the way from Auckland, New Zealand!

Allison Mooney CSP
“Certified Speaking Professional”
“SPEAKER OF THE YEAR”
2009 for the unparalleled 3rd time
(National Speakers Association of NZ – Auckland)

Allie’s fun, fast-paced, mind-unzipping presentation will show you how to significantly increase your performance capabilities. Her valuable information enables you to improve the quality of your life, your business and transform any relationships.

“PRESSING THE RIGHT BUTTONS”

• What’s in it for you?
• Learn the 4 styles of influence
• Understand your own special capabilities and strengths
• See things through the eyes of others
• Relate better to all personality styles
• Quickly understand what makes people tick
• Be a predictor of people’s behaviour – see things through their eyes
• Speed read people to find out what they really want
• Treat others as they want to be treated
• Communicate in a way that makes people want to listen
• Know what makes people love coming to work
• Enjoy being happily incompatible with others
• Significantly increase your performance capability
• Sell according to how the buyers wants to be sold to 

REGISTER NOW

About Allie Mooney:

Prior to becoming a professional keynote speaker Allie had a career in the airline industry originally with Ansett New Zealand and then Qantas International as manager of their Business and First Class airport lounges. She became noticed for her outstanding customer service that was immortalized in an iconic TV commercial during the heydays of Ansett NZ.

Since changing careers over 20 years ago Allie has taken “Pressing the Right Buttons” internationally and has presented in Australia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Pacific Islands and of course her place of domicile New Zealand. She has also authored a best seller book “Pressing the Right Buttons which has sold over 15,000 copies to date and been published in South America.

She has spoken for organizations such as Fujitsu, Qantas, World Vision, L’Oreal, Air New Zealand, Harcourts, Luthansa and The Salvation Army. Join her at the Unconvention 2013 for a remarkable event.

About the Unconvention:
For Organizations and Destinations that want to succeed at housing, this is a must-attend event.

Join us in Vancouver, BC April 10 - 12, 2013 to establish, increase or refine your housing services through tactical expert led learning. We don't believe in sitting in one ballroom all day, it's too boring! We promise to keep you engaged through a diverse offering of learning opportunities and networking events.

We make every effort to foster an environment of open discussion with your peers, those who face the same housing situations you deal with on a daily basis. This conference is the perfect mix of education, networking and fun.

$595 for first registration, $450 for each additional registration. This includes all learning sessions, networking events, transportation, food and beverage. Accommodation and flights not included. 

Building the Better Vision of Future Meeting Trends

We are pleased to announce another session for the 2013 Meetingmax Unconvention...

Building the Better Vision
of Future Meeting Trends

Led by David Tikkanen, Program Head of Tourism Marketing at the BCIT School of Business

The meetings industry is going through a period of rapid change. What is the future of meetings and how will new and emerging trends affect your destination? This “unconventional” look at the future touches on current trends such as neuromarketing, mobile technology, and sustainability.

Organizations around the world are increasing their use of live events as part of the marketing mix to form stronger relationships with clients and stakeholders. David Tikkanen, program head of tourism marketing at the BCIT School of Business, will present and discuss the evolving role of event management and the key role it plays in ensuring the delivery of a solid memorable experience for your customers. Tikkanen will highlight areas such as sustainability and international audiences.

REGISTER NOW

About David Tikkanen:
David is currently the program head of tourism marketing at the BCIT School of Business. David’s past experience includes being a partner at Entrée-Canada DMC, director of sales and marketing for the Metropolitan Hotel, senior sales manager for the Fairmont Waterfront, and conference sales for Tourism Whistler, and the Westin Bayshore.

About the Unconvention:
For Organizations and Destinations that want to succeed at housing, this is a must-attend event.

Join us in Vancouver, BC April 10 - 12, 2013 to establish, increase or refine your housing services through tactical expert led learning. We don't believe in sitting in one ballroom all day, it's too boring! We promise to keep you engaged through a diverse offering of learning opportunities and networking events.

We make every effort to foster an environment of open discussion with your peers, those who face the same housing situations you deal with on a daily basis. This conference is the perfect mix of education, networking and fun.

$595 for first registration, $450 for each additional registration. This includes all learning sessions, networking events, transportation, food and beverage. Accommodation and flights not included. 

Ready Set Rutherford and the Bentonville CVB Team Up With Meetingmax

We are excited to announce our partnership with two new Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the Rutherford County CVB and the Bentonville CVB!

With a population of more than 255,000, Rutherford County is Tennessee’s fastest-growing community. Located just a short drive southeast of Nashville, Rutherford County includes the cities of Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville. Industry abounds in Rutherford County and represents a Who’s Who of corporate giants, such as Nissan, Ingram, Whirlpool, General Mills, State Farm, Bridgestone-Firestone and Verizon Wireless, just to name a few.

The Rutherford County CVB is your all-in-one hospitality stop to help you plan your travel experience. With 48 hotels and over 3,800 hotel rooms, Rutherford hosts a variety of events from music and folk festivals, to MTSU games and TSSAA championships. Along with a host of planner resources, Rutherford will now offer online housing services through the Meetingmax Reservations Software. They plan on using their housing system primarily for sporting groups.  

Situated in one of the fastest growing regions in the country, beautiful Bentonville, Arkansas is in the midst of a great transformation. Long known as the home of Walmart Stores, Inc., Bentonville has boomed in population, amenities, and attractions over the last several years. The Bentonville CVB staff provide a wealth of support services to assist in making events a success. They can now add online housing to that list, through the Meetingmax Reservation Software.

Through Meetingmax, both Rutherford and Bentonville will benefit from access to economic impact reports that can be used to justify new projects and maintain funding by tracking key data such as total room nights booked, number of guests in their city, and total room spend per event. They will also be able to keep accurate records on groups who use their respective CVB as a housing bureau.

In addition, both cities have increased their competitiveness as they can now better serve their clients. Destinations that provide value-added services like online housing are simply more competitive in the marketplace. Event planners are starting to demand housing solutions from destinations. By making their lives easier, they will be more attracted to these cities.

About Meetingmax:

Meetingmax Systems provides the travel industry with the most flexible online housing reservation system. Initially developed to meet the needs of Meetingmax’s meeting and event planning arm, the system provides convention and visitor bureaus, event planners, and organizations with a simple yet powerful means to manage conference and event room bookings. The company is based in Vancouver, BC and can be found online at www.meetingmaxsystems.com. 

February Book Review – Purple Cow by Seth Godin

For the month of February our team was excited to read Seth Godin’s Purple Cow. An old favourite, published in 2003, we were looking forward to seeing how applicable the information was in today’s age - we weren't disappointed. The concepts in the book are still sound, primarily focusing on Be Remarkable; ie. Don’t copy what’s already been done, don’t mass market a boring product, find a new angle in your industry and push it as far as you can.

Some examples were Jet Blue, who toyed around with the idea of creating a dress code for their airline, catering to higher-end clientèle.  They even considered offering a free ticket to their best dressed passengers. Controversial? You bet! But boy would people be talking about it.

A more modern day example we discussed was Men in Kilts Window Cleaning; definitely a concept worth talking about. The point being, how can you shake up your industry? If something as hum drum as window cleaning was able to create a new, crazy, buzz-worthy concept there’s absolutely something you can do in your industry.

So what is your Purple Cow? What is going to make innovators share your story?

Four parting rules from Mr. Godin:

1. Don’t be boring
2. Safe is risky
3. Design rules now
4. Very good is bad

On a scale of 1-10 where 1 equals a book with little value one would not wish to read again, and 10 equals a fantastic book with the ability to grow an individual personally, professionally or both,  we rated this book a 8.1.

Have you read it? Let us know what you thought.