Meeting News - May 19, 2008 - (Page 18)

Technology Trade Shows: Evaluate, Pick, And Measure ’Em Web-based tool is said to optimize and measure trade show exhibitors’ performance Red Bank, NJ—Show exhibitors, which have scratched their heads about how to measure success and determine what to do better next time, have a free, web-based tool to help them do these tasks simply and effectively, its manufacturer claims. Dubbed “ROI Tool Kit,” the technology was developed by expo consultant Exhibit Surveys Inc. and funded and supported by the Professional Convention Management Association, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, and the ROI Task Force of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events. Columbia University business professor and trade show consultant Ruth Stevens provided input, as well. “This is not just about measuring results but also about how to make better decisions with the information you get,” said Skip Cox, president and CEO of Exhibit Surveys.“Measurement should provide feedback.” Cox said the tool helps exhibitors in pre-show evaluation and in the optimization of ROI. Its main features include: G Calculating potential audience size to quantify the value of exhibiting and determine if exhibiting in the show is justified G Calculating the level of investment required for number of staff and exhibit space to reach the potential audience on a cost-effective basis G Measuring reach and staff per- Edited by William Ng william.ng@nielsen.com and if their own information is reliable, it’s an excellent tool to work with first-time exhibitors and at-risk exhibitors questioning whether they belong in the show,” said Cox. While free, ROI Tool Kit requires registration. It is available online at ROIToolKit.exhibitsurveys.net. Marriott Sees Halo Cover Videoconferencing formance to identify strengths and weaknesses of the exhibit G Measuring potential ROI from leads generated at the show “Even before ROI, it helps you think about how Homepage of the free ROI Tool Kit, designed to do pre- and post-event evaluation to to show up at the expo, maximize trade-show exhibitor performance whether you’re invested properly, and how to go after your potential audience,” Cox said. The ROI Tool Kit, he said, is modeled on the custom analyses Exhibit Surveys does for clients. “There’s also great value on the [show] organizer side,” Cox noted. He said trade shows lose some 25 percent of their exhibitors every year. “If organizers take the time to work with sales, M arriott International is teaming up with Hewlett-Packard to bring HP’s Halo videoconferencing solutions to select properties. Halo features life-size images to heighten the realism of electronic meetings. Participants see each other on large, high-resolution displays in a meeting room setting. “[Halo] will give us an edge in key markets,” said Lou Paladeau, Marriott’s VP of operations technology. “We will be able to [open] new lines of business for our hotels.” Marriott has to yet to announce which facilities will get HP Halo Meeting Room, designed for installation in existing meeting rooms. Hyatt Cements Relationship With Airport Fast-Lane Firm Chicago—Hyatt Hotels has renewed its partnership with Clear, the express airport check-through company. Hyatt is offering free one-year Clear memberships to Diamond and Platinum members of its Gold Passport program. Hyatt was the first hotelier to align with Clear two years ago. Clear provides separate, faster lanes through airport security checkpoints using an identity card containing encrypted fingerprints or iris images. Applicants start their enrollment at Flyclear.com and complete the process at an enrollment location, where their fingerprints and iris images are captured and their identifications are validated. More than 140,000 travelers have enrolled. Clear is now at 17 U.S. airports. Group Travel Planet Acquired; Owner Grants Capital Infusion Sevierville, TN—Group Travel Planet, a specialist in online travel services for small groups, has been acquired by Cleveland-based GTP Travel Group, whose lineup of investors has provided the service with added funding. Group Travel Planet’s website, GroupAbout.com, lets planners manage events from five to 50 attendees, including the sourcing of lodging, cruises, motor coaches, flights, and car rentals. “Small-group travel is an expanding segment of meetings, and GTP connects key stakeholders with its online solution set,” said Edward Tromczynski, CEO, and former president of PlanSoft and OnVantage. H —Section by Christopher Hosford www.meetingnews.com Some Marriott properties will sport Hewlett-Packard’s Halo videoconferencing system, which features life-size images. 18 MeetingNews May 19, 2008 http://ROIToolKit.exhibitsurveys.net http://Flyclear.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - May 19th, 2008

Meeting News - May 19th, 2008 Contents What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Hotels & Resorts CVBs Destination Insider: Reno-Lake Tahoe Advertisers Index Insider Report: Midwest Meetings Live from the Forum

Meeting News - May 19th, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.