'Power Hour' Networking Appointments

The Networking Appointments at the IITA Summit include four Power Hour sessions on Monday and Wednesday mornings and 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.

POWER HOUR PROFILES - ACCESSIBLE TO SUMMIT REGISTRANTS ONLY

How it Works:

Each Seller will be assigned a Group number that corresponds with one of the four Power Hours on Monday and Wednesday mornings and 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.

Note:  Should the sessions reach capacity, a Wait List will be established and attendees may be moved in if additional Inbound Operators register.  Attendees who do not clear will be offered to attend the Summit with a $200 refund, partner with a colleague who will have appointments ($200 refund), or cancel with a full refund.  

Monday, February 1

10:15 a.m. -  11:20 a.m. - Power Hour Group 1
11:30 a.m. -  12:35 p.m. - Power Hour Group 2
  3:00 p.m. -    4:05 p.m. - Power Hour Group 3
  4:20 p.m. -    5:25 p.m. - Power Hour Group 4

Wednesday, February 3

10:15 a.m. -  11:20 a.m. - Power Hour Group 4
11:30 a.m. -  12:35 p.m. - Power Hour Group 3
  3:00 p.m. -    4:05 p.m. - Power Hour Group 2
  4:20 p.m. -    5:25 p.m. - Power Hour Group 1

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. To demonstrate the value of these marketing tools and give inbound operators a convenient, sustainable way to collect them, you can include your one-pager on your company profile. Inbound Operator profiles will also be included for your use in preparing for your appointments. 

The guidelines below outline the requirements and will help you prepare an effective one-pager.

Please let us know if you have any questions—we look forward to seeing you in Birmingham, Alabama!

Note:  The IITA website features Buyer and Seller Profiles when attendees register (Power Hour Networking Profile).  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.