Tag Archives: speaking

My Thoughts of ResortXpo: First Day of the First Show

It’s great to be able to see a year’s worth of worth come together.  I am SO lucky to work with such a great team.  They humor me on my crazy ideas like Virtual Conferences!  I am so glad we decided to take on the challenge of creating and hosting the first ever Virtual Conference for the Ski Industry.

Did everything go seamlessly?  No.  We had a few bugs.  But, it was totally worth it!

–Trade Show Booths.  At the last minute we realized that the Trade Show was hard to see on some computer screens.  Although we tested it before it went live, it wasn’t until the day of the  show and comments started coming in, that we realized it was not as “user friendly” as we had hoped.  A few tweaks and changes later and it was fixed.  But, the design suffered a little bit on large monitor screens.

–Sending messages.  One of the biggest aspects to a social networking site is to be able to send messages to friends and others on the site.  This morning we realized that the message pop-up box had technical issues and was not fully visible in any browser other than IE6 and IE7.  We’ll limp through this show with that.  The change means updating some code, which we are not very excited to do while the show is open.

–Training.  Sometimes being ahead of the curve means you not only have to train your own staff, but the vendors, and attendees of a show like the one we produced.  That’s been the biggest challenge…helping people see the big picture and how to use technology to interact with other people.  We knew we had to create Training sessions for the seminar speakers.  But, then at the last minute, we also needed training materials for the vendors at the show, and even the attendees.  Once people get the hang of what’s available, they do get excited and even addicted to all the options available.  It’s just getting them to that point, that is the challenge.

–The Seminars.  Fortunately or unfortunately for me, I ended up being the first speaker of the show.  After a last minute issue with the upload of my presentation, we finally got the seminars off with a bang.  If you want to see an on-demand viewing, check it out here:
http://www.resortxpo.com/ski/seminars-101

All-in-all, we accomplished quite a bit.  We were able to prove that a Virtual Show can work.  And work well.  We proved that speakers, vendors and attendees even with NO technical expertise (just a bit of training) will participate and interact.

I look forward to tomorrow.  It’s the second day of the show.  But, interestingly not the last.  Unlike a traditional show that closes down after the speeches have been given and the booths wrapped up, ResortXpo.com will stay online until the next show which will be in November.

ResortXpo Snowsports Virtual Conference and Trade Show

Live on July 15-16, is the first ever ResortXpo.  Join in http://www.ResortXpo.com/ski

Where can you network and discuss industry issues?
With all the marketing and technology choices out there, what’s the best strategy for your resort?
How can you come up with new ideas and programs for the coming season?

ResortXpo.com will address these questions and more!  The event is designed to help solve marketing, sales, and IT challenges by bringing compelling conference sessions, Base Lodge Chat’s and product and solution exhibits to the convenience of your desktop.

We know that you want the latest updates but need to get them in a convenient and simple way so we’ve designed this expo with your needs in mind.  We’re doing it online and we’re bringing the experts to you!

Top 5 Things You Will Get at this Event and Nowhere Else

Sessions with industry leading executives including: Samantha Rufo, President, nxtConcepts, Joy Spring, VP/COO, Leisure Trends, Steve Pope, Owner, ePop Studio; Milena Regos, Marketing Director, Diamond Peak Ski Resort; Eric Hoffman, Interactive Marketing Manager, Park City Mountain; David LaPlante, CEO, Twelve Horses; Michelle Evans, Marketing Services Manager, Grouse Mountain; John Siewierski, Owner, Siewierski Consulting

-Lessons learned from your peers in the Connection Cafe Forums with scheduled Base Lodge Chats.

Updates on the latest technology developments that are shaping the future of resort communications including text messaging, email marketing, social media, and websites.

Real time networking with product and solution experts.

-Virtual Welcome Reception brought to your by Captain Morgan (Please Drink Responsibly).  Get unprecedented access to the brand team while enjoying some of the Captain’s favorite recipes.

If you have ever missed a seminar or Convention due to travel or cost, this is the show for you!

It’s all happening July 15-16 and right on your computer.
No travel.  No expenses.  Just great information.
You can attend a major conference without leaving your office!

Attend the live event and Enter to Win:
ResortXpo exclusive give-aways.  Including: Captain Morgan Prize packages (jump drives and other cool swag), $500 Kick Start Mobile Marketing Program from nxtConcepts, Kelty two-man backpacking tent valued at $149 from Leisure Trends, Win one of 4 Descente or DNA jackets from RSN Resort TV & RSN.com, and more.  Winners notified through their online profiles.

Exhibitor Hall hours: open 24 hours with live chat’s available between 11am-5pm EST (10am-4pm CT/9am-3pm MT/8am-2pm PT)
Conference Session Hours: 11am – 2pm EST
And the entire event will be available for on-demand viewing for 10 days afterwards.

Brought to you by nxtConcepts, Ltd; North Pole Design; Selectus Consulting; and Captain Morgan