The basic concept involves getting representatives of properties or serv- ice providers from the Pocono Mountains Region (and from the CVB) together and going on a road trip that introduces what the Pocono Mountains has to offer as a destination to potential clients in other cities and towns. The roadshow is a platform that can be used to increase awareness of the offerings of the CVB and its members, and it’s an out- standing way to build up and strengthen potential client relationships.
That brings us to yet another great thing about these roadshows – the property representatives and service providers who exhibit can use this opportunity to meet with these potential new clients face-to-face. They can spread their message in person to an audience that they might not otherwise have been able to reach in such a direct way.
More than mere trade shows extolling the virtues of the destination, roadshows provide a forum for real relationship cultivation and serve as a resource for educating potential consumers with regard to some of the terrific options available just a short distance away in the Pocono Mountains Region.
So, roadshows aren’t just a great business tool - they also have a fairly significant social component to them. There’s certainly educational value, as oftentimes they will feature guest speakers and exhibits, but they also can include fun elements like entertainment and activities. Most importantly, though, they should generate quality conversation!
These shows are fantastic opportunities to make great first-impressions, and they can be an ideal way to move a relationship from one in which parties are merely exchanging emails to one where they are exchanging handshakes and sharing thoughts and ideas.
When the Pocono Mountains CVB facilitates roadshows, they often do so in collaboration with several of their meeting-friendly members. “Our pri- mary target locations have been New York, New Jersey, Harrisburg and Philadelphia,” notes David Jackson, VP of sales for the Pocono Mountains CVB. “We also have been asked to set-up ‘meeting planner appreciation’ events and to arrange for some ‘sales blitzes’ in Lehigh County, PA.”
Sure, this all sounds great, but do these roadshows actually work? Are they worth the time and energy being invested? No doubt about it. Just ask some of the member properties who have participated in recent road- show events.
“It was a huge success and great investment in growing relationships with clients. The first appointment… set the tone for a great day, and the din- ner with clients was the perfect ending… I just accepted an invitation from a client to join her and a few of her colleagues for lunch so they could learn more about Kalahari,” explains Richard J. McCadden, sales manager for Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains.
Adding that he had only been with Kalahari for a few weeks at the time of participating in the roadshow event, he says that the “kick-off to each appointment was not only educational for the clients, but also myself. It has helped me to develop my knowledge and understanding of the Poconos, and to relay that with clients with whom I plan to meet in the future. I am very excited to move forward and not only promote Kalahari, but also the entire 2,400-square miles that is the great Pocono Mountains.”
Tips for Event Security by Jennie Tis, Roberts Event Group
When people think of events they think of the wow moments; the dazzling entertainment, the speaker that gave them aha moments, or the private access to a first class museum. We as planners know there are many elements that go into letting guests only think about those moments, and one of those elements is security.
Here are some tips to making sure your events get full security clearance:
Don’t overlook cyber security • Nothing could take down attendee’s satisfaction like deny- ing them Internet access. If you are in house at an event site for more than 24 hours offering an updated secure wifi pass- word every 12 hours can go a long way in having attendees feel secure.
Emergency Preparedness • Make sure you have a plan, and that all the team knows about it. Should an emergency happen, your event atten- dees will be most secure with a plan to follow.
Bring in the pros! • Don’t assume a venues security is there to assist in your event. If you need security, be sure to hire them. If you’re securing a large public event, plain clothes security can go a long way to keeping their eye on the crowd.
Be vigilant, but not a vigilante • If you SEE something, SAY something! If there is a suspi- cious backpack or luggage that suddenly appears at your event, don’t move it yourself, follow the right procedures. Following proper procedures go a long way in securing us all.
Roberts Event Group, a Hosts Global Alliance Member, specializes in Event, Entertainment and Destination Management services throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. •
www.robertseventgroup.com
Mid-Atlantic EvEnts Magazine 51
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