'Power Hour' Networking Appointments
The Networking Appointments at the IITA Summit include three Power Hour sessions on Monday and Wednesday afternoons for inbound operators (Buyers) to meet with DMOs and suppliers (Sellers) to learn about their travel products and services. The Power Hour appointments are a hybrid between speed-networking and traditional pre-scheduled appointments.
How it Works:
Each Seller will be assigned a Group number that corresponds with one of the three Power Hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons determined by their registration date.
Buyers will be seated – one company per table – and Sellers will move from table to table for 5-minute appointments. While suppliers simply move from table to table to meet Buyers, each Seller will have an assigned starting point (table number and time) among the Buyer tables in the room and thus will know in advance who they will be meeting with in each of their two Power Hour sessions.
IITA's inbound operator members prefer these quick introductory appointments to see more potential partners and then schedule follow up for more detailed conversations. It also helps Sellers make more Buyer contacts. The exact number will depend on the number of Buyer and Seller attendees.
Attendees will receive their appointment schedules the week prior to the Summit.
Monday, February 9
1:40 – 2:45 p.m . – Power Hour Group 1
3:00 – 4:05 p.m. – Power Hour Group 2
4:15 – 5:20 p.m. – Power Hour Group 3
Wednesday, February 11
1:40 – 2:45 p.m . – Power Hour Group 1
3:00 – 4:05 p.m. – Power Hour Group 2
4:15 – 5:20 p.m. – Power Hour Group 3
One-Pager Profiles
If you have participated in any of IITA’s Steps to Success education programs, you’ve heard a lot about “one-pagers” and how to maximize their effectiveness. In order to demonstrate the value of these marketing tools and provide inbound operators with a convenient and sustainable way to collect them, we are including all one-pagers on the official Summit “Navigator” and discontinuing in-person distribution. Inbound Operator profiles will also be included for your use in preparing for your appointments. The Navigator will also contain the schedule, education sessions/speaker profiles, general conference information and on-site messages/updates. All attendees will be asked to download and use the Navigator while on-site.
The guidelines below will provide the requirements and help you prepare an effective one-pager.
Please let us know if you have any questions—we look forward to seeing you in Niagara Falls, NY!
Note: The IITA website will feature Buyer and Seller Profiles when attendees register (Summit Attendees button). If your company has not completed the profile questions contained in your member record or you need to update them, log in at www.inboundtravel.org. In the Member Compass, select the "Company" tab. If you do not see the company tab reach out to kim.fisher@inboundtravel.org and she will adjust your permission setting. Sellers can upload the one-pager there as well.
Guidelines:
Your organization’s profile is your primary tool for your Networking Appointments at the IITA Summit. Your “one-pager” profile lets your inbound operator partner know about your organization. Why it’s unique. Why they should want to include your products and services in their portfolio. And how you will work with them. You’ll want to include the following:
- Your company address and contact information
- What are you selling and when/where is it available?
- What markets and visitor types can you accommodate: Group, FIT, Leisure, MICE?
- What do you do specifically for these international markets?
- What else will help the inbound operator work with you to sell your product? Rate structure, special terms/offers? Connectivity?
In order to be more sustainable. . .
We will not permit distribution of marketing materials during the Networking Appointments with the exception of your business card. Your profile form will be available on the website and the Summit Navigator (online program) in advance of the Summit. You may bring a single card containing a QR code that operators may scan in the event you would like to share additional information such as your brochure, rate card, etc.
Laptops/tablets (or equivalent) are permitted.
