You've Got Mail!!

I had something new on my checklist the other day – picking up the Mayor’s dry cleaning. Never thought that task would make it to my list, but when GR’s Mayor Heartwell agreed to do a Welcome Video to a very special group coming to GR this January (The Religious Conference Management Association), we needed to get him a blue shirt with our logo on it! The only shirts he had from us were green – which wouldn’t work out too well when filming in front of a Green Screen (think about the days when the weather forecaster has a little bit of green in their tie and you can see right through them – now imagine the whole shirt!).

One of the new, cutting edge things we offer is a Streaming Video. This is a great way to do Attendance Building by sending out a video welcome to conference attendees that arrives in their e-mail. Its so new, everyone opens it us to see what it is! Usually the conference president or host films the video, inviting everyone to attend. Check out the video sent to RCMA members: www.meetgrandrapids.com/rcmainvite.php

Can you imagine a better way to boost registration then showing attendees a video of GR?

I Can Explain...

Sometimes my office feels like those quips at the end of a Readers Digest article. I share an office with Andie, another coordinator, and we often overhear each others phone conversations – some of them are begging for an explanation. Here are some of my favorites:

“Do you have anything that can explode indoors – legally?”
I was ordering confetti shooting centerpieces – look at the picture, you don’t even know they are in there! Surprise!

“Can I reserve an isle seat? But only on the right side of the isle”
The left-handed passenger requested that their left hand be in the isle for ease in writing. That’s detail!

“I don’t think he will go for surfing on Lake Michigan, its just not his thing”
One Attendance Building tool we have is Streaming Video e-mail, where we film a group’s leader talking about why they should come to GR – usually this isn't done on the lake!

“Do you have a Bob Barker?”
A game show themed event needs a game show (impersonator) host!

“I just talked to the squirrel”
Okay, the squirrel’s handler – Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel was unavailable to chat.

No matter how odd the question, it’s always fun to help find the solution for our clients!

Blinkies, Twinkies, and Flashers… An unscientific measure of progress

This week I am “on the road” promoting Grand Rapids to an Association that will be in GR in 2009. I am having fun doing Attendance Building with this group, talking about the amenities, activities, and attractions of GR and passing out our “Blinking Buttons” (pins with flashing lights) at our booth. It’s fun handing them out and equally entertaining to hear what names people call them - including blinkies, flashers, twinkles, twinkies, sparklers, etc. As I walked around the convention center, I saw just how effective our promotions were, as I couldn’t turn without seeing lights flashing from someone’s name badge. I love being with collectors groups like this one as they are filled with passion - and I think I fit in as I am enthusiastic about what I am doing– informing everyone why they should attend the conference in GR!

When I get home, if I can close my eyes and still see the flashing lights of the pins, I will know that we had a successful Attendance Building trip – and I am sure we will have a more scientific measure as the registration continues to roll in!