2. Presentation Agenda:
The 10 Point Plan of Action
1. Reconnect and Reestablish Rapport with Lapsed Business
2. Establish Relationships with Hospitality Trade Groups
3. Reach Out to Internal Constituents
4. Network with Educational, Sports and Community Associations
5. Contract with Hospitality Performance Network Global
6. Communicate with External and Departed Collegiate Coaches
7. Enhance Social Media Presence
8. Create a Pointed Internet Advertising Campaign
9. Enhance Strategic Partnerships with Marketing Department & Schey
Sales Center
10. Partner with Appropriate Internal Institutional Entities to Promote OHIO
University
3. Reconnect with Lapsed
Business
Due to the change from quarters to semesters,
the summer, 2012 conference season was cut
short resulting in returning entities being turned
away. There is an immediate need to reconnect
with these affected parties and reestablish a
relationship to foster renewed or enhanced
conference support, if not for 2013 then for the
2014 and beyond.
4. Establish Relationships with Hospitality
Trade and Networking Groups
Society of Government Meeting
Planners
Meeting Professionals International,
Ohio Chapter
Ohio Society of Association
Executives
Association of Collegiate Conference
and Events Directors - International
5. Reach Out To The Myriad of Internal
Constituents
Attend relevant OHIO University departmental staff
meetings, send out introductory emails to request
individual in-person meetings and provide accurate
and timely information in and following meetings with
the intent to grow the awareness of conference and
guest services, network, and build a personal
relationship with internal constituents thereby
continuing and enhancing professional business
relationships.
6. Network with External Educational, Non-Profit,
Sports and Community Associations
Examples Include But Are Not Limited to:
Ohio Education Association: Model U.N., Debate, Yearbook, Science Clubs
www.ohea.org
Assorted Music and Band Camps www.ohiomte.org
Intercollegiate and High School Tennis www.itatennis.com & www.octa.org
Intercollegiate and High School Volleyball www.avca.org & www.ohsvca.org
Ohio High School Athletic Association www.ohsaa.org
National Soccer Coaches Association of America www.nscaa.org
Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association www.ocsa.org
Young Life www.younglife.org & Catholic Youth Ministry www.lifeteen.com
Leadership Athens County, Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian Regional Commission,
Appalachia Ohio Alliance, Athens County Economic Development Council
7. Consult with Leading Meeting and
Event Site Consulting Company to
Bolster Marketing Initiatives for
Conference Services
Hospitality Performance Network (HPN) is the nation’s fastest-growing
site selection and consulting firm. They are an innovative full-service
Meeting and Event Management Company comprised of a team of
seasoned hospitality industry professionals, each boasting 10-20 years of
experience. Based out of Scottsdale, Arizona, HPN’s associates live and
plan programs in every corner of the USA and beyond. The Vice
President for OHIO’s Region is Jason Linscott, an Athens Native and
personal friend.
8. Communicate with External and
Departed Collegiate Coaches
Many other campuses do not have the facilities to support large
overnight sport camps and/or charge exorbitant fees to head
coaches which preclude staffs from hosting camps on their own
campuses.
Given my understanding of the needs of sport camp
coordinators, and my connections with intercollegiate soccer
coaches as well as with former OHIO coaches of other sports, I
could best market OHIO University’s conference services to
these individuals and grow the volume of this sector of the
business.
9. Enhance Social Media Presence
The best way to promote both OHIO University and Conference
Services is visually – either get them to campus or show photos
of campus to entice them to come. Social Media allows that to
happen for minimal expense. Building on my experience doing
the same for OHIO Soccer, Bobcat Soccer Club, Ohio Soccer
Camps and myself, create an identity on Facebook and
LinkedIn to promote the many benefits of OHIO University’s
Conference Services, showcase photos, and increase
frequency of search engine hits.
10. Create a Pointed Internet
Advertising Campaign
Strategically Purchase Internet Ads on
Relevant Websites Based on the Unique
Geography and Landscape In and Around
OHIO University
Examples Include But Are Not Limited To:
•www.singletracks.com Mountain Bike Informational Website
•www.ohiobikeways.net Bike Trail Enthusiasts Website
•www.gatherings.info Family Reunion Planning Site
•www.ancestry.com Top Site for Generation Baby Boomer
•www.dnr.state.oh.us Ohio State Parks Website
•www.hockinghills.com Local Tourist Region Website
•www.hockinghillscanopytours.com Local Tourist Destination
•www.rockclimbing.com Climbing Enthusiasts Website
•www.trails.com Hiking Enthusiasts Website
11. Enhance Strategic Marketing Efforts
Through Continued Partnerships With
OHIO’s Marketing Department and The
Schey Sales Centre
OHIO University has a wealth of talented marketing professors,
instructors and students who speak very highly of their past
experiences with Conference Services both as clients and
partners and can be further recruited to bolster the marketing
efforts and help grow Conference Services while gaining
valuable, “real-world” experience. In this way, Conference
Services can act as a living laboratory for undergraduate and
graduate students in the College of Business and the Scripps
College of Communication, among others.
12. Communicate with Appropriate Internal
Partners to Promote the Mission of
OHIO University
“Ohio University holds as its central purpose the intellectual and
personal development of its students. Distinguished by its rich history,
diverse campus, international community, and beautiful Appalachian
setting, Ohio University is known as well for its outstanding faculty of
accomplished teachers whose research and creative activity advance
knowledge across many disciplines.”
•Collaborate with Alumni Relations on Conferences Pertaining to or Consisting of OHIO Alumni
•For High School Aged or Younger Conference Participants, Consult with Undergraduate
Admissions
•For College Aged Conference Participants, Consult with Graduate College
•Consult with Specific Colleges, Departments, Programs and Clubs when Applicable
ie. Scripps for Yearbook Camp; English for Creative Writing Camp; Biological
Sciences for Forensic Camp, etc.
13. Reconnect and Reestablish Rapport with Lapsed Business
Establish Relationships with Hospitality Trade Groups
Reach Out to Internal Constituents
Network with Educational, Sports and Community Associations
Contract with Hospitality Performance Network Global
Communicate with External and Departed Collegiate Coaches
Enhance Social Media Presence
Create a Pointed Internet Advertising Campaign
Enhance Strategic Partnerships with Marketing Department & Schey
Sales Center
Partner with Appropriate Internal Institutional Entities to Promote
OHIO University
The 10 Point Plan of Action
Review
