- Friday, January 28, 2011
- 0 Comments
How do you manage cost in events management. Most particularly, how do you manage cost in events management in the Philippines?
I say this because in a bidding process clients sometimes wanted the lowest price but demand the highest quality. After you win a bid and determine the scope of work, the client in the actual event demands more things outside the scope of work.
Cost management is a big issue in events management one that can spell the difference between the event manager’s organization’s life and death.
I say this because in a bidding process clients sometimes wanted the lowest price but demand the highest quality. After you win a bid and determine the scope of work, the client in the actual event demands more things outside the scope of work.
Cost management is a big issue in events management one that can spell the difference between the event manager’s organization’s life and death.
- Thursday, January 27, 2011
- 0 Comments
My eyes are glued to Tanaka San our lecturer here in Japan as he expound and hammered the need for value creation as the ultimate goal of projects and programmes. After his explanation he asked us to think for ourselves if what we are doing have values created.
He said that all projects and programs must have value creation otherwise it is useless and it is not a project or a program.
When I was left for myself it got me thinking what are the values created by event management? I arrived on the following conclusion, event management in the Philippines create the values like Knowledge Values because of the partnership and new products and ideas presented to clients and visitors alike on an event.
Two other values that it gives are Value for Shareholders and Value for Society. Events benefit the shareholders like the event organizer, local government, venues, exhibitors, participants, and country because of the events inherent power to gather and provide a platform for exchange of ideas and networks al l shareholders either gain knowledge and income out of events.
However, observing the landscape in our country there are events that don’t provide values or no discerning values created.
If this is the case we must first determine our discerning values before we create or realize an event. This will help us avoid the common mistake of creating events for the sake of creating and profit.
- Tuesday, January 25, 2011
- 0 Comments
Here in Japan they created Project and Program Management or P2M. It’s an expertise sought after by all parts of the world.
In the Philippines, we do not have the technology to compete but what we have is our excellent service – a service that is evolving.
There is a question that I like to pose. The question is can event management and tradeshow organizing be an expertise that our country can be known. It is a service area where we can paint rosy pictures.
Maybe one day, sooner than later this can be a core competence of our country.
Why do I push for it? Not only because I am part of the industry but we have the products, services and people to make it on top! The event managers of the Philippines can be the best.
It will be.
In the Philippines, we do not have the technology to compete but what we have is our excellent service – a service that is evolving.
There is a question that I like to pose. The question is can event management and tradeshow organizing be an expertise that our country can be known. It is a service area where we can paint rosy pictures.
Maybe one day, sooner than later this can be a core competence of our country.
Why do I push for it? Not only because I am part of the industry but we have the products, services and people to make it on top! The event managers of the Philippines can be the best.
It will be.
- Monday, January 24, 2011
- 0 Comments
I overheard in one boardroom, the management team in a heated discussion if the company should tap an event organizer.
This is a very long discussion but for starter we at EXLINKEVENTS have two interesting cases in our experience. The first, an organization has not held a convention for the past five years. Nobody in their group knows how to execute an event. Enter us in the picture and they have a successful event last year, well attended and have solidified their organization’s membership.
The second one, they have barely two and a half months to execute their event and yet nothing has been started yet. For practical thinkers it is a no brainer, you must cancel the event. But they tapped our services and what have you but one of the best event if not the best event the organization has ever had, this as feed backed by their officers and members.
I am not saying we are heroes and all powerful. What I am pointing out is that
these two cases gives one conclusion: event managers and event management in the Philippines is a necessity and a profession that must be handled by professionals.
What looks like easy is not. It may appear simple but the ramifications of the requirements in executing an event can place you in a labyrinth of no way out.
Therefore, as I recommend let us outsource this critical task to the experts because it is on its own a big and critical matter; and there are experts on event management who sleeps and breaths in running an event and making things happen.
P.S.
EXLINK Onsite – a division of EX-LINK Management and Marketing Services Corporation is one such group that eats managing an event for breakfast so why not give us a call and leverage the group’s expertise.
- Sunday, January 23, 2011
- 0 Comments
There are things that you should be prepared. One of this is to take part on this event. Click the link and know more...
- Friday, January 21, 2011
- 0 Comments
Like the sales process, there are times that after you engage the clients onsite, you still have to make a follow-up to close the deal. In most of the cases this happen, a client closes the deal after the event, after the exhibitor or company showed that he/she is not only after a sales but a partnership.
This is what makes expo or events powerful, it provides a venue to engage clients and it eliminates cold calling and other cold approaches. After the event, the stage is set for a smooth and easy process of generating sales.
P.S.
For those planning for exhibit promotion or events management services visit http://www.exlinkevents.com/
- Wednesday, January 19, 2011
- 0 Comments
The start of the year ushers new promotion incentives to our dear EXLINKEVENTS partners. We call the incentive V.I.P (Value.Incentives.Promotions for our Very Important Partner).
The VIP promo is for the following events Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo, May 5-7, 2011, Negosyo Power Expo, August 26-28,2011, Look and Feel Great Expo, Nov. 4-6, 2011, and MegaBalikbayan and OFW Expo, December 9-11,2011.
It is a value for money promo that partners and upcoming partners can avail of. Planning is essential in this type of promotion and the earlier you plan and booked your exhibit activities the better. It saves you of committing knee-jerk reaction and more of maximizing your brain power.
To know more, read more details below:
The VIP promo is for the following events Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo, May 5-7, 2011, Negosyo Power Expo, August 26-28,2011, Look and Feel Great Expo, Nov. 4-6, 2011, and MegaBalikbayan and OFW Expo, December 9-11,2011.
It is a value for money promo that partners and upcoming partners can avail of. Planning is essential in this type of promotion and the earlier you plan and booked your exhibit activities the better. It saves you of committing knee-jerk reaction and more of maximizing your brain power.
To know more, read more details below:
- Monday, January 17, 2011
- 0 Comments
g
Sharing this great blog my Mr. Rob Murphy hope you get some good points on it.
In this article, you'll learn...
Four ways to consistently engage your tradeshow audience
How to use tradeshows as a long term, lead-generation tool
Tradeshow participation is proven to build brand awareness and help marketers discover new business opportunities. But the companies that fare the best—and maximize their return on investment (ROI)—are those that realize that simply showing up isn't enough.
This article outlines how to build a communications strategy that keeps customers and prospects fully engaged before, during, and after the show.
1. Plan in advance
The first step toward tradeshow success is creating an engagement timeline to support your company's strategic marketing plan.
It's also important to link all forms of communication (advertising, online marketing, media relations, public relations) together to achieve an action-oriented goal. Make sure your messaging aligns with your overall marketing strategy and clearly explains how your products or services can benefit customers and prospects. Value-added information, such as research data or company news that will help recipients solve a specific business challenge, is also helpful.
The key is to make sure communications are free of self-serving propaganda that could alienate customers and prospects.
2. Build quality traffic
Having a tradeshow exhibit doesn't necessarily ensure quality foot traffic. Engage customers and prospects well in advance of any event, and make it clear how they stand to benefit from visiting your booth. Incentives can include special show pricing, access to exclusive research or information, or an in-booth gift (or other giveaway) that provides a meaningful experience to prospects.
Promote these incentives well ahead of time through direct mail or email and on your website, or co-promote with the tradeshow organizer to help boost traffic to your booth and buzz around your participation.
When planning a pre-show marketing strategy, ensure that the communication channels you choose are appropriate for your audience and industry. For example, if your target audience is young designers, then use social media, video, and email. For targets such as manufacturing plant personnel, who are often away from their computers, consider traditional approaches such as direct mail or print advertising.
3. Engage on-site
To effectively engage and interact with show attendees, invest the time and effort to train your on-site staff. Be sure to underscore how much you've invested into the show, and explain that staff performance will have a significant impact on its overall success. Ask for a personal commitment from all staff to reach preset sales goals. If necessary, go as far as breaking down costs by the minute, per person. Consider using an incentive program to encourage your sales team to attain your goals.
During the training process, clearly articulate the criteria your sales team should use to qualify visitors and determine whether they are high-quality leads. Give the sales staff tips on how to disengage with unqualified visitors politely, but quickly.
To prepare, practice engaging various visitors; time the interactions to test efficiency. In addition, provide the staff with a list of key customers and prospects, along with protocol guidelines for ensuring a smooth process when VIPs show up.
4. Follow up
Communication with customers and prospects shouldn't end when the tradeshow closes its doors. The show itself may be just the starting point of the sale, which could happen months later.
To ease follow-up, be sure to annotate the leads (list the actions you need to take) and rate them based on your sales and closing criteria to ensure the "hottest" leads get immediate attention. That could mean providing a quote or the additional information the prospect requested, or saying a simple "thank you" to those who aren't ready to buy your product or service just yet.
All of your contacts should be organized into a centralized database (segregated by type, if needed) to facilitate regular, ongoing communication. Use the database to share company announcements, media mentions, or relevant news to show that you're engaged with their business. And remember: Never ignore a lead. You never know who will turn out to be the most beneficial connection.
- Saturday, January 15, 2011
- 0 Comments
- Friday, January 14, 2011
- 0 Comments
The glowing pictures of possibilities are in our economic indicators. For SMEs and those wanting to start a business this could be the year.
Creating a business this year will be buoyed by supportive business environment. But a caveat, business is business there is always risks and for SMEs the risks are high and so the challenge is to manage and navigate carefully.
One event that will help you navigate in this challenging business environment is Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo slated this May 5-7, 2010 at Trinoma Mall. Around 60 businesses will showcase their products and services in this very strategic event and venue.
If you want to plan a business, here is one event you should not miss.
If you are an SMEs wanting to break into the consciousness of the public, you are highly encouraged to take part in this event.
We will be having a Business Seminars offered for free but first you have to register. The business seminars are in a format of a how to guide in starting a business from discovering if you have what it takes to registering and making it legal up to expanding your business.
Honestly knowledge is nothing if you do not know how to use it or will not use it. In the upcoming Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo we will focus on the action part of the business. We will also focus on inviting right market besides the already big market that frequent the venue to transact with the exhibitors.
Overall, we are expecting a great event better than last year but still true to the reason why the event came to life – promote SMEs and make starting a business easier and simple.
Magandang Kabuhayan Pinoy ang naghihintay sayo ngayong taon!
- Wednesday, January 12, 2011
- 0 Comments
The increased arrival of foreigners in our ports and international flights last 2010 augurs well for our 2011.
It means there is confidence in our country. Now that simple but essential steps are being taken by the government, the outside world is taking notice.
The 3.45 Million foreigners that enter our main ports and the 6.4% or 3.59 Million passengers in our International Flights are indicative of a rosy year for us in 2011.
So what now?
I think that speaking in the exhibition and convention industry; we must make well and increase our events this year. Also, I read some interesting new products created by new organizers in the exhibition and convention industry; I pray that they become successful.
In our office, busyness is very prevalent. The skills of the members are also up a notch. Therefore we are ready to grab the opportunities and even create opportunities out of the positive things that are slowly taking shape in our country.
- Tuesday, January 11, 2011
- 0 Comments
The recent Boracay controversy where a foreign couple was videotaped copulating in the beach is something that we should all be alarmed.
Yes, we wanted to increase our tourist visitors. We also acknowledge that Boracay is the most famous tourism spot in our country that it generates 650,000 tourists a year or about 22 percent of the total visitor traffic of the country. However, the disrespect to public sensibilities and moral values that our country upholds must be over economics. I fear the day that we have achieved economic progress but lost our souls.
In the theory of broken windows, practiced and made famous by then New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. A small wrongdoing not corrected will become a monster as time goes by. What Guiliani did was correct it immediately like repairing and apprehending people who broke window glass in an area in New York. When the public saw that there is police enforcement and broken windows are repaired immediately, the perpetrators suddenly disappeared and peace and order was restored in that particular area.
I say we do the same in this Boracay incident, act quickly and make strict enforcement of no sex on the beach rule. There are more important things that economic growth that is living decently.
- Friday, January 07, 2011
- 0 Comments
It is good news that the “Pocket Open Skies” Policy is on full swing. The policy will most probably take place in NAIA in Pasay City, Laoag International Airport (Ilocos) , Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark, Pampanga), Puerto Princesa International Airport (Palawan), Subic Bay International Airport, Kalibo International Airport (Aklan), Mactan International Airport (Cebu), Davao, General Santos, and Zamboanga.
The effect as said by the proponents is more direct flights from International Carriers straight to those above mentioned local airports.
This action will hopefully increased tourists arrival, lower airfares (not that it has not gone down through the years) and improvement on services offered by airlines to the passengers (this I am keeping my fingers crossed).
- Thursday, January 06, 2011
- 0 Comments
A packed exhibition |
The government plans to attract 3.3 Million tourist visitors in the country this year. Compared to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia the target we set is small. However, since we are starting with a new administration and the issue of continuity is always a problem in our government I can say that the target is a decent one.
Now, if we are to focus on the 3.3 Million visitors I would suggest that we go for businessmen and investors to be the large chunk of this pie. These two segments can greatly benefit our economy because they have the spending power.
If all of us agree on this, the question now is how do we achieve it?
I say we must do big changes in our peace and order and promote to the world that it is safe here. Second, we must support our MICE industry. Let us create mega learning conventions and mega expositions. Last but not the least; let us focus on the first A in the 5As of Tourism that is ACCESS. We must open NAIA 3 for International Travel and eliminate all unnecessary taxes that make travelling in our country more expensive than going out of than going out of the country. Our secretary of tourism promotes Open Skies and hopefully the positive things about this policy will redound immediately.
3.3 Million Tourists for this year will be meaningful to our country they are quality tourists. It is time for a fresh start; let us cross our fingers for our country.
- Tuesday, January 04, 2011
- 0 Comments
The smoke of the revelry welcoming the New Year has settled. The big tasks of making things a reality lies in our hand. In the events management, particularly exhibition the task of creating and offering a new and improved products start.
It is a difficult process. Even though there are available data of the past performances. The event management team must again come together and allow the creative juices flow in order to create something from without and assure that there is value on what was created.
Also, the exhibition team must consider the 3 Cs in crafting the new trade event. The 3 Cs are the Company, Client, and Competitor. This three dynamic elements changes and an near accurate reading of this 3 elements is critical in determining the success of the expo.
As an event’s organizer, I am very positive that this year is a good albeit challenging year. I see that new players will emerge and new concepts will be launch. But that is life and as organizers all we can do is to better ourselves and compete with ourselves the only competition that we must strive to seriously taken on.
- Monday, January 03, 2011
- 0 Comments