| Wednesday - 10:45am - 12:15pm |
Partner and Profit with your Attractions EventDeborah Murphy, Vermont Rail Systems; Rick Norcross, Chew Chew Festival; Roger Riccio, Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce
Vermont claims more than 70 high-quality attractions, whose events collectively bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to our communities. This workshop will show how you can partner with your local attraction to leverage their events, to add to your bottom line and bring economic benefit to your community as a whole.
Sponsored by the VT Attractions Assoc. |
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Regional BrandingBill O'Neal, O'Neal Strategy Group; Paula Maynard, Hildene; Tim Shea, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
Everybody seems to be doing it, but does it make sense for your organization? Hear from a knowledgeable panel of experts who will address the challenges and
opportunities of branding. |
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Choosing the Right Channel: Media Buying DemystifiedKaren Fahey, Karen Fahey Associates; Sybil Chicoine, Hickok & Boardman; David Drucker, Strata
The number and type of media channels available to reach your target audience has perhaps never been as complicated as it is today. Learn how unravel the media mystery from three experts; one from the media agency side, one from the client side and one from a research side. |
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Branding the Vermont Hospitality Experiences with Quality Customer Service: Treat ‘em Right to Bring Them Back!Tess Taylor, Vermont History Expo; David Livesley, Woodstocker Inn; Rick Milliken, DoubleTree Hotel Burlington; John Mayfield, Sean & Nora's
Vermont is known globally as a top tourism destination; keeping a strong, positive brand image depends on everyone—even those who may not realize they are key. Sponsored by the Vermont Hospitality Council |
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Google Analytics—Why and HowDave Winslow, EpikOne
This session will present the importance of online marketing and web analytics. Content is designed for a beginner to intermediate audience and will include a general discussion of what online marketing and web analytics are, why they are important, and available tools and best practices.
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| Wednesday - 2:00-3:30 pm |
Cuisine & Hospitality Vermont Farms! Style
Judy Clark & Chef Jason Clark, Applecheek Farm & JDC's Just Delicious Catering; Jacques & Pauline Couture, Couture's Maple & B&B; Ellen Ogden, VT Cheese Council, farm foods & cuisine author
Culinary & agricultural tourism products are in high demand by consumers & travel trade. Vermont Farms! members share tips on cuisine, farm hospitality, incorporating farm products & quality experiences into your tourism business. Sponsored by Vermont Farms! Association |
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How to Leverage State Marketing Resources
Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing Staff
From one of the tourism industries leading websites to extensive advertising and PR, the VDTM produces a broad range of integrated services to drive visitors to resorts, hotels, inns, attractions, restaurants and stores. A panel of VDTM staffers will present their responsive accessible services and opportunities to help Vermonters build their tourism businesses. |
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Dysfunctional Teams: A Perspective on How We All Tend to Operate...and How and Why We Need to Operate Differently
Jim Miller, Jim Miller and Associates
We can't do it all alone and the human dynamics of any organization—staff, employees, committees and teams—make interaction complicated, unpredictable and potentially dysfunctional; in some cases, without us even knowing it. Come find out to what degree your team IS dysfunctional and what to do about it. |
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Economic Impacts of Outdoor Recreation
Mathew Barewicz, EPR; Noah Pollock, UVM; Bryant Watson, VAST; Craig Whipple, Vermont State Parks
Outdoor recreation is an important contributor to Vermont's economy. Find out what types of visitors hike, ski, or fish and how they spend their money while vacationing in Vermont. Researchers will give an overview of outdoor recreation and discuss in-depth state parks, snowmobiling, and paddling. |
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Newsletter & E-mail Marketing
Dwight Sholes, Quotient Marketing
In this fast-paced and interactive session, you'll get the tools and insight you need to make your e-mail marketing programs even more successful. We'll analyze major trends in online marketing, and then we'll provide 14 actionable strategies you can use to become the e-mail star of your company or organization.
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| Wednesday - 3:45-5:15 pm |
Lake Champlain: Assets, Actions, & Opportunities
James Brangan, Lake Champlain Basin Program; Ruth Wallman, Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce; Marilyn Cormier
Lake Champlain's natural and cultural resources and recreational offerings are foundations of the regional economy, and a major reason why people live and visit here. Learn about environmental, cultural, and historic protection, interpretation, and enhancement efforts, including the 2009 Champlain Quadricentennial. |
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Crisis Management from a PR
Perspective
This panel presentation will cover how businesses can create a PR crisis
communications plan and execute a plan to avoid negative public perceptions during times of emergency. |
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Profit Through Participation in Vermont's Tourism Marketing Associations
Dave Hakins, Vermont Convention Bureau; Tori Ossola, Ski Vermont; David Kaufman, Vermont Tourism Network; Tim Piper, Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals; Vicky Tebbetts, VT Hospitality Council
This session will help you identify market segments that have the potential to bring more visitors to your business. Tap into specific segments of the population through participation in one or more of Vermont's various marketing associations.
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Hospitality Law Issues Affecting Your Business—Liquor Liability and Employment
Frank V. Petrosino, Esq., Paul Frank + Collins P.C.
Come explore Vermont's Dram Shop Act, peruse the tools you can use to help prevent liquor liability, wrestle with hiring and firing practices, and get a taste of the employment law alphabet soup (including FMLA, FLSA, and ADEA). |
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Smart, Cost-Effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Your Travel Business
Bud Reed, Timberline Interactive, Inc.
Whether you represent a resort, B&B, tour operator, or any other travel business, you'll learn the best approach to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for your web site. Even if you don't "speak tech,", you'll come away with a clear understanding of how to improve your rankings and convert more visitors to customers.
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| Thursday - 10:45am-12:15 pm |
Niche Marketing—Add a Sports Component
to Your Tourism Business
Steve Lulek, Vermont Adventure Tours; Jamie Hess, Nordic Skater; Dennis Tetro, Vermont Morgan Horse Association
Travel packages are extremely popular and can be created in a variety of ways. Motorcoach groups and individual travelers alike enjoy having many activity options. Experts in three distinct recreational activities tell you about their sport and suggest ways to incorporate their activities and expertise into your tourism business planning.
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Marketing to Women: Who's Really Making the Decision Anyway?
Robin Groulin, Intrinsic Marketing; Veronica Williams, HMC2 Adertising; Donna
Carpenter, Burton
Women account for 83% of all consumer purchases, 45% of business travelers and 75% of all travel decisions. If you aren't talking to women, you are missing the boat. Get insights about how and why you should be marketing to this increasingly powerful audience. |
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Hosting International Guests and Staff: Cultural Opportunities and Challenges
Kathi Kiernan, Trapp Family Lodge; Tony Clark, Blueberry Hill Inn; Catherine DeLeo, Lyndon State College
Panelists address nuances of international traveler expectations and cross-cultural training of multi-cultural workers. Intercultural management, essential in the global marketplace, requires special knowledge, skills and abilities to foster dialog for effective mutual understanding of company goals.
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Global Climate Change and the Travel Industry
Will Patten, VBSR; Mark Delaney, Smugglers' Notch Resort; David Kestenbaum, UVM
What does global climate change mean for Vermont's travel industry? Learn how
proactive businesses are reducing their carbon footprint, adapting to changing weather patterns, and educating staff and visitors. Learn how you too can help offset climate change. It's good for the
environment and good for business! |
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Pay Per Click/Paid Web Advertising
Kuma Interactive
This method of on-line marketing has transformed the industry in recent years. Learn how you can participate in pay per click advertising, regardless of the size of your budget.
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| Thursday - 2:15-3:45 pm |
Investing in the Future, Preserving the Past: Energy Efficient Upgrades at the Historic Waybury Inn
Logan Brown, Efficiency Vermont
Proving that modern technology can complement and enhance an historic interior, the Waybury Inn of East
Middlebury has begun making energy efficient upgrades to their 200 year old lodging establishment. Take an in-depth look at these upgrades and explore how investing in your property's energy efficiency can enhance guest comfort, improve aesthetics, and yield great economic returns. |
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7 Experts—7 Tips—7 Minutes: A Marketing Panel
In this fast-paced, moderated panel session, executives from seven of Vermont's leading marketing firms will offer their thoughts on how to keep your brand fresh. Each panelist has precisely seven minutes to offer you seven critical tips as you seek to grow your business, raise your visibility and tap into new customers. After the rapid fire presentation, there will be ample time for questions and discussion. |
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International Marketing
Linda Seville, Global Pursuit; Valerie Rochon, Stowe Area Association; Representative from Discover New England
Stewards of international marketing in Vermont will speak to best practices of reaching the international market including co-op advertising, FAM tours, and PR.
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Vermont's Fish & Wildlife Outdoor Opportunities
Wayne Laroche, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife
Come hear the latest research and trends on hunting and fishing and how it affects Vermont's tourism businesses.
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Marketing One on One Appointments
Kuma Interactive; Jillian Bryant, Epik One; Dwight Sholes, Quotient Marketing; Bud Reed, Timberline Interactive
This is your opportunity to ask experts in the field to help you get the most from your marketing materials. Spend 10 minutes in a private appointment with any of our panelists and you could end up saving yourself time and money on your marketing efforts in the future! Don't forget to bring your marketing materials with you for discussion and evaluation. Sign up in advance on the registration form. |
