Summit Marketplace ‘Power Hour’ Appointments

The Marketplace at the IITA Summit includes 3 Power Hours on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons for inbound operators to meet with DMOs and suppliers to learn about their travel products and services. The Power Hour appointments are a hybrid between Speed-networking and traditional prescheduled appointments.

How it Works:

Each seller has been assigned a Group number that corresponds with 1 of 3 Power Hours on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons determined by their registration date.

Operators will be seated – one per table – and DMOs/suppliers (sellers) will move from table to table for 5-minute appointments. While suppliers simply move from table to table to meet inbound operators, each participant will have an assigned starting point among the operator tables in the Marketplace and thus will know in advance who they will be meeting with in each session.

Our 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 operator 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.

Tuesday, February 14 – Mission Bay A

1:45 – 2:45 p.m . – Power Hour Group 1
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. –  Power Hour Group 2
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. – Power Hour Group 3

Wednesday, February 15 – Mission A

1:45 – 2:45 p.m . – Power Hour Group 1
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. –  Power Hour Group 2
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. – Power Hour Group 3

If you’ve 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 posting all one-pagers on the website and discontinuing in-person distribution.  Inbound Operator profiles will also be posted on-line for your use in preparing for your appointments.

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 San Diego!

Guidelines:

Your organization’s profile is your primary tool for your marketplace 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? Rates, special terms/offers?

** NEW THIS YEAR **

In order to reduce our imprint, we will not permit distribution of any type of marketing materials during the Marketplace with the exception of your business card.  Your profile form will be available on the IITA website well 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.