Vermont Travel Industry Conference Summary · E valuation R eport. Compiled and Presented by: Lisa...

Evaluation Report

Compiled and Presented by: Lisa Chase and Gail Makuch

University of Vermont Extension

Presented June 18, 2014 Vermont Travel Industry Conference Annual Meeting

Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee

Evaluation of the 31st Annual

Vermont Travel Industry Conference April 2-3, 2014

The Equinox Resort & Spa Manchester, Vermont

Compiled and Presented by: Lisa Chase and Gail Makuch

University of Vermont Extension

Presented June 18, 2014 Vermont Travel Industry Conference

Annual Meeting

Table of Contents

Page I. Vermont Travel Industry Conference Summary…………………………………………………. 1 II. Survey Respondents’ Profile……………………………………………….……………………………… 2 III. Attendee Survey………………………………………………………….….…………………………………. 5 Type of Business/Employment……………………………………………….……………….. 5 How Heard About the Conference………………………………………….……………….. 6 Impacts……………………………………………….………………………………………………..... 8 Overall Conference……………………………………………….………………………………... 9 Facilities……………………………………………….…………………………………………………. 15 Program Day 1……………………………………………….……………………………….………. 19 Program Day 2……………………………………………….……………………………………….. 20 Session Survey Results……………………………………………….……………………………. 23 Attendee Comments……………………………………………….…………………………….… 44 Topics for Next Year……………………………………………….……………………………….. 56 IV. Sponsor Survey………………………………………………………….….……………………………………. 59 Respondents’ Profile……………………………………………….…………………………….… 59 Conference Events……………………………………………….…………………………….…... 61 Overall Conference……………………………………………….………………………………... 61 Sponsor Comments……………………………………………….………………………………... 62

1

Vermont Travel Industry Conference Summary

2014

Manchester 2013

Stowe 2012

Killington 2011

Burlington 2010

Stowe Total Number of Participants Total Registered 268 300 231 244 271 Pre-Registered 244 266 204 225 239 Walk-Ins 14 24 19 16 22 Meals Only 10 10 8 3 10 Type of Participant Attendees 176 187 119 131 166 Speakers 241 27 43 47 27 Sponsor Representatives 55 60 53 57 65 Students 3 16 8 6 3 Meals Only 10 10 8 3 10 Days Attended Both Days 156 199 127 111 772 Wednesday Only 843 66 n/a 105 72 Thursday Only 20 9 n/a 15 7 Meals Attended Wednesday Lunch 209 249 170 216 149 Dinner 242 193 150 123 153 Thursday Lunch 165 192 150 126 87 Sponsors Total 33 28 25 25 23 Platinum 1 3 1 2 1 Gold 7 6 5 4 3 Silver 4 7 5 5 4 Bronze 10 9 11 12 11 Special Event 3 --- --- --- --- Non-Profit/Exhibit Only 8 3 3 2 4

1 10 speakers paid for registration 2 Attendees only 3 Includes 23 Wednesday Evening Combo packages (awards, keynote & dinner)

2

Attendee Registration Responses

Survey Respondents’ Profile (Includes both sponsors and attendees)

1. ’14 Response Rate: 98 out of 268 (36.6%)

’13 Response Rate: 106 out of 300 (35.3%) ’12 Response Rate: 81 out of 231 (35.1%) ’11 Response Rate: 142 out of 244 (58.2%) ’10 Response Rate: 38 out of 271 (14.0%) ’09 Response Rate: 77 out of 242 (31.8%) ’07 Response Rate: 121 out of 360 (33.6%) ’06 Response Rate: 101 out of 387 (26.1%) ’05 Response Rate: 107 out of 311 (34.4%) ’04 Response Rate: 105 out of 331 (31.7%) ’03 Response Rate: 63 out of 308 (20.5%) ’02 Response Rate: 77 out of 362 (21.3%) ’01 Response Rate: 52 out of 305 (17.1%) ’00 Response Rate: 102 out of 405 (25.1%)

Owner 25%

Manager 39%

Middle Management

9%

Support Staff 3%

Unknown 15%

Other 9%

Level of Position

3

2. Respondents Who Were First Time Attendees:

’14 Registration: 40.5% (64 attendees) Survey: 30.6% (30 respondents) ’13 31.1% (33 respondents) ’12 33.3% (27 respondents) ’11 34.5% (49 respondents) ’10 34.2% (13 respondents) ’09 29.9% (23 respondents) ’07 43.8% (53 respondents) ’06 28.7% (32 respondents) ’05 33.3% (32 respondents) ‘04 29.5% (31 respondents) ’03 31.7% (19 respondents) ’02 37.6% (29 respondents) ’01 34.6% (18 respondents) ’00 34.7% (33 respondents)

3. Average Number of Previous VTIC Conferences Attended (excludes 1st year attendees)

’14 Registration: 5.1 Survey: 6.2 ’13 6.2 ’12 6.2 ’11 5.7 ’10 5.8 ’09 6.6 ’07 5.4 ’06 6.3 ’05 4.6 ’04 7.2 ’03 7.6 ’02 6.9 ’01 6.0 ’00 4.7

4

Number of Previous Years Attending VTIC (excludes 1st year attendees)

Years Registration Survey

1 20 25.0% 12 17.9%

2 11 13.8% 5 7.5%

3 11 13.8% 5 7.5%

4 7 8.8% 6 9.0%

5 7 8.8% 10 14.9%

6 7 8.8% 6 9.0%

7 3 3.8% 3 4.5%

8 3 3.8% 3 4.5%

9 0 0.0% 1 1.5%

10 2 2.5% 8 11.9%

11 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

12 + 9 11.3% 8 11.9%

Total 80 67

5

Attendee Survey n = 76

Type of Business/Employment

Business/Employment Registration 2014

Survey 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Ads/Publishing 11 6.9% 3 4.2% 6.8% 13.0% 13% 0% 3%

Agritourism/Farm Products 2 1.3% 1 1.4% 5.5% 4.3% 6% 12% 1%

Attraction 14 8.8% 7 9.9% 11.0% 11.6% 11% 23% 15%

B&B/Inn/Lodge 21 13.1% 9 12.7% 16.4% 4.3% 5% 12% 16%

Campground --- --- 0 0% 1.4% 1.4% 3% 0% 0%

Chamber/Association 12 7.5% 6 8.5% 11.0% 11.6% 8% 4% 10%

Cultural Heritage Org 1 0.6% --- --- 0.0% 1.4% 2% 0% 5%

Education 5 3.1% 0 0% 4.1% 5.8% 4% 4% 5%

Financial Services --- --- --- --- 0.0% 0.0% 0% 0% 0%

Government/Municipality 2 1.3% 2 2.8% 1.4% 4.3% 7% 8% 1%

Hotel 27 16.9% 10 14.1% 9.6% 5.8% 9% 4% 4%

Information Services --- --- --- --- 0.0% 1.4% 1% 0% 0%

Marketing 16 10.0% 9 12.7% 9.6% 11.6% --- --- ---

Resort 30 18.8% 13 18.3% 6.8% 8.7% 8% 0% 11%

Restaurant/Culinary 3 1.9% 2 2.8% 1.4% 0.0% 1% 4% 4%

Retail 5 3.1% 1 1.4% 0.0% 0.0% 6% 23% 7% Technology/Website Design/ Social Media Consulting 1 0.6% 1 1.4% 4.1% 2.9% 5% 0% 0%

Tour Company 5 3.1% 2 2.8% 5.5% 1.4% 3% 0% 4%

Other 51 3.1% 52 7% 5.5% 10.1% 11% 8% 12%

TOTAL 160 71

1 Other: Consulting, DMO, Manufacturing, Media, Strategic Communications and Project Management 2 Other: Pottery; Shelburne Farms is environmental education, inn, working farm, farm to table dining; Marketing for a resort; Tourism consultant; Communication, project management and business consulting; Manufacturer; Economic development; Event Management

6

Attendee Survey Response n = 74

Other and/or Comments: • My GM • Inner office • Have attended in years past

• Vermont Gay Travel Association • Vermont Tourism Network

7

Registration Response n = n/a

8

Impacts

Information from the conference will help attendees improve: n = 71*

Business Profitability: 14 (19.7%) Customer Satisfaction: 33 (46.5%) Sales/Marketing: 53 (74.6%) Networking: 49 (69.0%) Use of resources: 24 (33.8%) Other: 2 (2.8%)

• My social media marketing. • How local government can best support tourism. • Social Media / Review Sites / Fresh ideas for all areas of my biz.

* Respondents can select more than one category.

Past conferences have helped attendees improve: n = 50*

Business Profitability: 4 (8.0%) Customer Satisfaction: 15 (30.0%) Sales/Marketing: 33 (66.0%) Networking: 37 (74.0%) Use of resources: 11 (22.0%) Other: 1 (2.0%)

• Familiarity with VT tourism industry in general (after my first conference)

* Respondents can select more than one category.

9

Overall Conference

Scale: 1 (Poor) to 4 (Excellent)

Average: 3.61 (2013=3.41; 2012=3.51; 2011=3.37; 2010=3.86; 2009=3.66; 2007=3.69; 2006=3.58; 2005=3.75; 2004=3.63; 2003=3.76; 2002=3.74; 2001=3.63; 2000=3.55; 1999=3.57; 1998=3.49; 1997=3.69)

Number of Respondents: 72


Average: 3.73 (2013=3.54; 2012=3.55; 2011=3.55; 2010=3.75; 2009=3.67; 2007=3.74; 2006=3.72; 2005=3.79; 2004=3.66; 2003=3.86; 2002 = 3.81; 2001 = 3.75; 2000 = 3.62; 1999 = 3.71)


4 64%

3 33%

2 3%

Conference Organization

4 73%

3 27%

Conference Registration

10


Average: 3.49 (2013=3.36; 2012=3.42; 2011=3.18; 2010=3.41; 2009=3.50; 2007=3.42; 2006=3.57; 2005=3.57; 2004=3.55; 2003=3.65; 2002 = 3.5; 2001 = 3.44; 2000 = 3.42; 1999 = 3.35; 1998 = 3.56; 1997 = 3.44)



Average: 3.11 (2013=2.89; 2012=2.93; 2011=2.81; 2010=3.27; 2009=3.20; 2007=3.12; 2006=3.10; 2005=3.20; 2004=3.12; 2003=3.24; 2002=3.3; 2001=3.1; 2000=3.02; 1999=3.14; 1998=3.25; 1997=3.18)


4 54%

3 40%

2 6%

Networking Opportunities

4 32%

3 51%

2 14%

1 3%

Sponsor Exhibits

11


Average: 3.10 (2013=2.73; 2012=2.87; 2011=2.63; 2010=3.18; 2009=3.00; 2007=2.80; 2006=2.84; 2005=3.09; 2004=3.10; 2003=3.35; 2002=3.27; 2001=3.36; 2000=3.17; 1999=3.34; 1998=3.34; 1997=3.45)



Average: 3.24 (2013=3.30; 2012=3.16; 2011=3.06; 2010=3.41; 2009=3.41; 2007=3.35; 2006=3.38; 2005=3.45; 2004=3.29; 2003=3.48; 2002=3.39; 2001=3.16; 2000=3.16; 1999=3.14; 1998=3.13; 1997=3.14)


4 26%

3 60%

2 12%

1 2%

Silent Auction

4 33%

3 57%

2 10%

Practical Information

12


Average: 3.24 (2013=3.22; 2012=3.12; 2011=3.03; 2010=3.50; 2009=3.26; 2007=3.25; 2006=3.26) Number of Respondents: 72


Average: 3.54 (2013=3.47; 2012=3.40; 2011=3.29; 2010=3.43; 2009=3.43; 2007=3.28; 2006=3.49; 2005=3.54; 2004=3.35; 2003=3.75; 2002 = 3.38; 2001 = 3.52; 2000 = 3.4; 1999 = 3.39)


4 33%

3 58%

2 9%

Conference Website

4 54% 3

46%

Conference Date

13


Average: 3.26 (2013=3.27; 2012=3.16; 2011=3.05; 2010=3.50; 2009=3.37; 2007=3.38; 2006=3.39; 2005=3.53; 2004=3.45; 2003=3.55; 2002=3.49; 2001=3.42; 2000=3.28; 1999=3.29; 1998=3.17; 1997=3.23)



Average: 3.25 (2013=3.22; 2012=3.15; 2011=2.86; 2010=3.57; 2009=3.35; 2007=3.30; 2006=3.37; 2005=3.27; 2004=3.26; 2003=3.55; 2002=3.48; 2001=3.24; 2000=3.22; 1999=3.13; 1998=3.26; 1997=3.19)


4 34%

3 59%

2 6%

1 1%

Conference Length

4 42%

3 43%

2 14%

1 1%

Value for Your Expenditure

14

Comments on Overall Conference: • Maybe a mobile app in the future. • I was only able to attend on Wednesday. • Signage within the conference center might have been clearer. • auction closed at 12:15 but a session begin at noon that I had to go to. I had the winning bid when I left

to attend the seminar only to find out I was outbid after the conference. I did not think this was fair. • I think 15 min coffee break is not long for exhibitor time. • Much repetition of topics within individual sessions. • Feel conference length is good. • I was very disappointed with the conference this year, last year the conference was outstanding and

expected it to be the same this year. At registration tell people where they can hang their coats and a sign on the coat room.

• Would like to see a list of attendees upfront in the future. • Would attend again. • Website should list all sponsors... the "sponsor" tab leads one to the sponsor recruitment info, not who

is sponsoring and their contact info. • Content and presentation of the concurrent sessions I attended was disappointing. • Confusing layout of meeting rooms. Some rooms were very small and attendees had to stand while

larger rooms sat open. • Very surprised by the # of and relevance of the exhibitors. Auction items were amazing! • The alternative to just attend the keynote and gala was very useful for me • Regarding conference length: Day 2 was slow - people seemed less energized. • Could be longer. Tough to choose between so many concurrent workshops. • Date should be later; after ski season.

15

Facilities


Average: 3.56 (2013=3.29; 2012=3.27; 2011=3.54; 2010=3.62; 2009=3.70; 2007=3.38; 2006=3.46; 2005=3.81) Number of Respondents: 70


Average: 3.54 (2013=3.31; 2012=3.10; 2011=3.57; 2010=3.57; 2009=3.47; 2007=3.45; 2006=3.79; 2005=3.11; 2004=3.27; 2003=3.68; 2002=3.83; 2001=3.53)


4 62%

3 32%

2 6%

Hotel Ambiance

4 61%

3 33%

2 6%

Hotel Comfort & Service

16


Average: 2.25 (2013=3.21; 2012=2.71; 2011=3.30; 2010=3.71; 2009=3.35; 2007=3.04; 2006=3.20; 2005=3.25; 2004=3.24; 2003=3.46; 2002=3.68; 2001=3.27; 2000=3.08; 1999=3.20; 1998=2.67; 1997=2.81)



Average: 3.23 (2013=3.00; 2012=2.95; 2011=3.50; 2010=3.38; 2009=3.40; 2007=3.35; 2006=2.97; 2005=3.40; 2004=3.05; 2003=3.44; 2002=3.25; 2001=3.26; 2000=3.08; 1999=3.21; 1998=2.77)


4 13%

3 28%

2 31%

1 28%

Meal Quality & Service

4 45%

3 35%

2 17%

1 3%

Signage

17


Average: 2.97 (2013=2.83; 2012=3.06; 2011=3.23; 2010=3.25; 2009=2.82; 2007=3.23; 2006=2.76; 2005=3.32; 2004=3.17; 2003=3.30)


Comments on Facilities: • Conference rooms were too cold! But overall, good location. • Not a good as other hosts that have managed the conference in the past. • Lunch sandwich was on the stale side. Coffee was good. One tends to get tired /sleepy in a room

without windows. • A little loud at night from people in the courtyard • Freezing in the Rockwell Room at lunch. • Wed. lunch poor -- not Vermont; other meals good • Equinox would benefit from installing a 220 plug in for hybrid cars also two chairs in each room would

be useful as would two luggage racks • Conference rooms were very cold • CSM was very good: meals were a little off for Equinox • Sound wasn't as good as it might have been for several presentations. • Food quality was dismal but service was friendly. • Conference sound was absolutely awful (in both large meetings and smaller sessions) • Too cold. I caught a cold, as well as other people. • Both lunches were below par. Lighting & temp was incredibly consistent throughout. • Not crazy about the vendors being upstairs but based on available space this was the best-case

scenario. A/V: mic feedback at times. Would suggest omni-directional mics at podium. Issues with internet connectivity for Daniel's presentation were distracting.

• The VTN presentation Wed. morning. The blower in the room was on the whole time the speakers were speaking. We had coffee/tea service at 8:30 a.m. and they served cookies? Where's the muffins? The next workshop was at 11:00 a.m. on Byways and the room was very small people were standing in the back and out in the hallway. The rooms were warm and the hallways were cool.

• Plated lunch Wed not enough in terms of quantity.

4 29%

3 46%

2 18%

1 7%

Conference Room Seating, Lighting & Temperature

18

• There was no external signage for the Hotel, conference, direction. Made several circles to find the right door!!

• Banquet staff was noisy during Post presentation. Additionally, some of the breakout rooms were set awkwardly, as the front of the room was where the back should have been (odd flow)

• Downstairs rooms were freezing, especially the general session room. The food was not great... kale salad was tough and the sandwiches were dry at opening lunch.

• Meals that I attended (2 lunches) were below average in food quality and meal service disappointing. The Battenkill Room had bad lighting; AV should have been adjusted so that the presenter's slides could be read. WIFI in the Rockwell Room continually dropped during the keynote; that was very annoying and should have been fixed immediately. Fortunately Daniel was very patient and did not seem bothered by it. Overall I would say the Equinox was at best a Fair experience.

• Meal quality was below expectations. Did you really pay $39.00 per person for the turkey sandwich and kale salad lunch?!

• I prefer classroom seating for taking note and Comfy chairs, food outside of conference was very good conference dinner see above

• Food was deplorable. Turkey sandwich: Fat, DRY bread, skimpy turkey, FATTY turkey! Shocking for such a nice hotel.

• Farm to Table dinner event - hotel staff was slow to refill food stations.

19

Program Events – Day 1


Average: 3.62 (2013 Jay Baer=3.79; 2012 Troy Thompson=3.39; 2011 Chris Diaz=3.82; 2010 James Chung=3.86; 2009 Roger Dow=3.32; 2007 Bill O’Neal=2.88; 2006 Peter Yesawich= 3.73; 2005 Berkeley Young= 3.70; 2004 John Tourtellot=

3.46; 2003 Steve Rice =3.25; 2002 Floyd Hurt 2.95; 2001 Rhea Blanken 2.94; 2000 Becky Anderson= 3.57; 1999 Joe Venito=3.45; 1998 Michelle Reese=3.32; 1997 Marjorie Beenders=2.90)



Average: 3.85 Number of Respondents: 48

4 65%

3 32%

2 3%

Keynote: Sree Sreevanisan

4 87%

3 11%

2 2%

Keynote: Christina Miranda

20


Average: 2.35 (2013=3.61; 2012 Farm to Table Dinner=3.33; 2011 Evening Awards Banquet=3.00; 2010 Evening Awards Banquet=3.50; 2009 Evening at Orvis=2.86; 2007 25th Anniversary Celebration=2.96; 2006 From the Farm to the Table=3.49; 2005=3.31; 2004=3.29; 2003 Awards Banquet=3.28; 2002=3.35; 2001=3.94; 2000=3.47; 1999=3.29;

1998=3.14; 1997=3.23) Number of Respondents: 51

Program Events – Day 2


Average: 3.05 (2013=3.19; 2012=3.05; 2011=3.28; 2010=3.36; 2009=2.97; 2007=2.95; 2006=3.09) Number of Respondents: 43

4 18%

3 29%

2 24%

1 29%

Farm to Table Dinner

4 26%

3 53%

2 21%

VT Dept of Tourism & Marketing Update

21


Average: 3.67 (2013 Pete Pantuso=3.42; 2011 Suzanne Cook =2.96; 2010 Steve Richer=3.00; 2009 Ann Lofgren=3.38; 2007 Jim Miller=3.18; 2006 Martha Honey=3.56; 2005 Bruce Baker=3.62; 2004 Peter Yesawich=3.75; 2003 Frank

Bryan=3.25; 2002 Peter Greenberg=3.66; 2001 Cheryl Hargrove=3.12; 2000 Rudi Maxa=3.2; 1999 Bruce Baker =3.84; 1998 Laila Rach=3.81; 1997 Lois Dostalik=3.60)



Average: 3.15 (2013=2.86; 2012 Meet the Press=3.36; 2011 Hot Topics Panel=2.89; 2010 Success Stories Panel=3.70; 2009 Success Stories Panel=3.50)


4 73%

3 21%

2 6%

Keynote: Daniel Post Senning

4 29%

3 40%

2 19%

1 12%

Rapid Fire Case Studies

22

Comments on Program Events: • Chris Miranda did the best job at making her speech interactive, which really made her stand out from

the crowd of other speakers. The seating during her speech was a little odd though, with mostly round tables and some rows in the back. Consistency would have been better. The Farm to Table Dinner should have had more dinner offerings rather than just appetizers, and more tables would have been appreciated!

• Not enough food at farm to table format - it was like vultures - we ended up going to the restaurant to get food

• Most excellent presentations & Miranda a complete surprise • Food was very disappointing, but loved the VT drinks! That was certainly not a dinner. • The F&B offerings of the Equinox was very poor in comparison to last year's fare at Stoweflake, which

was awesome! Manchester could have done better. • All of the keynotes were fantastic this year; the Farm to Table dinner had an excellent atmosphere, and

concept, but the food was weak. The selection was strange and unvaried, and there didn't seem to be enough of it for the amount of people. The entertainment was wonderful though! The VDTM presentation on Thursday morning was interesting, but I would have like to hear more of an overview of all their marketing efforts, rather than just the So Vermont campaign.

• The dinner was a big disappointment. The food that was available was very good, but when compared to past years very sparse.

• Though tasteful the grazing event did not suffice as dinner • Keynotes were excellent and had relevant content. Farm to table dinner - loved the format. • Christina was a bit of the top, entertaining but a bit much! • Food during event was below average. Farm to Table was ok but after the lunch most people were

looking for a place to eat after the snacks for dinner. • food was poor. buffet would have been better option • food quantity and variety at "farm to table" dinner was awful. food quality throughout the conference

was subpar. • best of these I’ve attended to date. • Sree was very informative. Christina was FANTASTIC! Her presentation was truly inspiring, engaging,

educational, and memorable. BRAVO! Dinner was disappointing - it was a lovely cocktail party - but food was not significant enough to call it "dinner".

• Lines at Farm to Table were too long... more stations? • Rapid Fire was too long; the format was not engaging and valuable to me. • Farm to Table Dinner was more like heavy hors d'oeuvres. • The dinner was more of Appetizers, Many of us had to purchase dinner afterwards • Would have much preferred a sit down dinner. Food was good, but there wasn't much food to choose

from and the food was always empty when I went to get some. I had to order a meal from the restaurant after the dinner.

• only attended Wednesday evening • Food was not great. Sorry! People need something a bit more substantial after a long day. • VDTM presentation did not affect me directly due to its regionality, but it was great to hear what other

regions are doing and how the good people at VDTM are partnering with them.

23

Session Survey Results

Session Est. # Attendees n Quality of

Presentation* Knowledge

Gained* Practical

Application*

Should We Offer Again?*

1: Culinary Clusters, Agritourism, Thematic Trails, and Partnerships 43 30 4.2 3.5 3.4 3.8

2: How Big Data and Behavioral Targeting are Changing the Travel Industry

56 37 4.1 3.8 3.2 3.4

3: Getting Found Online: SEO and Google Adwords for the Travel Sector

35 28 3.4 3.1 3.3 3.1

4: Video Marketing for Inns and B&B's 11 10 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.6

5: Who Visits Vermont and Why 44 17 4.5 4.1 4.1 4.6

6: Customer Engagement: Before, During and After They Visit 50 27 4.6 4.4 4.4 4.5

7: Inn Bed Together: Partnering with Innkeepers for Increased Sales

16 9 4.8 4.4 4.8 4.9

8: Your Content is Your New Marketing Plan 50 34 4.5 4.3 4.4 4.6

9: Matching Your Social Media Strategy to Your Marketing Goals 40 40 4.6 4.4 4.6 4.7

10: Marketing the Experience 32 27 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.6

11: Sustainable Food and Beverage Management; Building Local Supply Networks

9 8 4.6 4.3 4.5 4.5

12: Service that Exceeds: Embracing Diversity from Employees to Guests

6 5 4.8 5.0 5.0 5.0

* Average score where 1 = lowest and 5 = highest.

24

Session 1: Culinary Clusters, Agritourism, Thematic Trails, and Partnerships

Estimated # of attendees: 43 1 = Lowest 5 = Highest n = 30

avg = 4.2

avg = 3.5

avg = 3.4

avg = 3.8

• Good theories, needs more practical applications. Geographical vs. thematic, wanted geographical. • Well researched, interesting information, VT specific examples would be helpful. • Small state. Avoid insulting people in the room by being critical of their organizations and efforts.

Pick on examples outside of Vermont. Also don’t be condescending to the audience by saying that slides are complicated. These are smart people in the room!

• Great research and information.

2 3%

3 17%

4 40%

5 40%

Quality of Presentation

1 7%

2 10%

3 29%

4 48%

5 6%

Practical Application

1 3%

2 13%

3 32%

4 39%

5 13%

Knowledge Gained

1 3%

2 9%

3 19%

4 44%

5 25%

Offer This Session Again?

25

• More specific ideas on how to apply this idea to the potential business partner. • A variety of businesses present. How can this be applicable to them? We’re an Inn. The guy next to

me is a travel planner…..maybe some development of the idea. • More research needed but definitely an important topic in the state. • Needs development. • This topic seems like the future of tourism, big collaboration is so important, but the academic

perspective is only partially useful. How about half research, and half examples from people IN business. Some out of state examples if we have none in Vermont.

• Good presentation. • I thought it was provoking and well spoken. Would have liked more case studies to show that this is

something we need. Obviously new research though. • Would be good to have a collaboration mixer with a central organization (think VT Fresh as “match

maker”). • Clear concept, transferrable to other type of clusters, i.e. Art, address that? • Would be interested in more success stories from other states instead of saying what doesn’t work.

Would also be interested in small success stories, as so many of us are from small organizations. • Need stronger content. • Next time have agri partners/culinary partners present. More in depth would be great. • Would have also been helpful to address cluster/tours examples of other industries. Ex. Ski areas or

an activity of another sort.

26

Session 2: How Big Data and Behavioral Targeting are Changing the Travel Industry


avg = 4.1

avg = 3.8

avg = 3.2

avg = 3.4

• It should have been more clear……mostly a sales pitch……though very educational. • Good to know the option of big data is out there but it’s SO big that it may not be approachable for

many Vermont businesses. • ****VTIC should institute a “fine” that is a donation to a related cause for anyone whose cell goes

off in a session. We should all know to turn phones off. • Seemed sort of like a sales pitch for Sojern; but still got something out of the session.

2 3%

3 30%

4 27%

5 40%


1 14%

2 17%

3 28%

4 22%

5 19%


2 13%

3 19%

4 41%

5 27%

Knowledge Gained

1 10%

2 10%

3 36%

4 16%

5 28%


27

• Athena gave a great presentation. She knows her business. Unfortunately data-driven marketing is out of reach of most VT businesses.

• I feel this session is beneficial to a lot of businesses. • Very good. • Perhaps show more examples, visuals. • Above my head. Too many abbreviations. The speaker was very intelligent and for the right

audience, I’m sure her words were very helpful. But I needed more basic information to get started. The description of this session needed to be clearer so I didn’t waste my time in it. I’m sure it was a good session for the appropriate audience.

• Big Data is more for bigger corp. not small shops and hotels that make up Vermont’s Business. • Too much jargon. • Not a topic for a general audience. Techniques are applicable for large resorts, etc. only. Good

insights about the topic, however. • Felt a little too much like a commercial for Sojern, less about Big Data. Too much jargon used, even

the marketers in the room needed terms defined. Not sure how useful this would be to individual properties, depends on your budget and size.

• Might have been helpful for her to frame her perspective. Why is she an expert? • Too technical and too expensive for a Chamber of Commerce (my entity) presentation. It felt more

like a sales pitch than an educational piece about how data is gathered. • Wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. Thought it would explain how to obtain “big data” in

house. • High hopes- too infomercial in delivery – little to offer small businesses.

28

Session 3: Getting Found Online: SEO and Google Adwords for the Travel Sector


avg = 3.4

avg = 3.1

avg = 3.3

avg = 3.1

• These should have been split into two sessions vs. one. So much information to cram into a short

period of time. • Too short of time. Felt rushed. • Who was this workshop for? Techies? I have experience with SEO, but this was pretty

incomprehensible. Too much covered. Focus on 1 or 2 key points. Don’t try to cover so much. • Helpful for all levels.

1 3%

2 18%

3 32%

4 29%

5 18%


1 11%

2 18%

3 21%

4 36%

5 14%


1 11%

2 25%

3 21%

4 32%

5 11%

Knowledge Gained

1 22%

2 18%

3 15%

4 19%

5 26%


29

• A little too technical (curve trends). • Too technical, not actionable. Presentation needs context and roadmaps. Feels like random

technical facts – need different approach for this audience. Adwords section better laid out than SEO.

• “Over my head” keep social network workshops simple. Speakers stand in front of graphics, give speakers clickers and stand at podium. Power point screen cannot be seen from back or middle of room.

• Too technical for me. Less material, more depth. • Very well done! • A little more advanced than I expected. • Speakers were very intelligent but I think an intro/mid-level session would be more beneficial. • Additional links to learn more would be great. • This basically seemed like 2 separate workshops crammed into one, neither presenter had time to

get into full actionable details. • Spoke to fast. Subject beyond my understanding.

30

Session 4: Video Marketing for Inns and B&B's


avg = 4.6

avg = 4.4

avg = 4.5

avg = 4.6

• Good information • Great, casual presentation, accessible and useable. • Thought it wouldn’t be so basic knowing that video is so prominent – but feel some people get a lot

out of it. • Good content and well presented.

4 40%

5 60%


3 10% 4

30%

5 60%


1 10%

4 20%

5 70%

Knowledge Gained

2 10%

4 10%

5 80%


31

Session 5: Who Visits Vermont and Why


avg = 4.5

avg = 4.1

avg = 4.1

avg = 4.6

• Thank you Megan Smith-this is important info! Re-doing the survey in a few years is a good idea. • Speaker stood in front of screen so limited view of notes most of the time. Computer table needs to

be equipped with remote slide changers. • Kathleen made a super presentation. Follow up with Kathleen’s study.

3 6% 4

41%

5 53%


2 12%

3 12%

4 29%

5 47%


3 12%

4 65% 5

23%

Knowledge Gained

3 6% 4

33%

5 61%


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• The survey should be an online survey- the 2 sided paper survey is too ominous-if there was a card handed out at all locations including restaurants, hotels, rest areas, the card would include a bribe to fill out the survey.

• I’m curious to know why people chose they would never visit Vermont again. Maybe action would need to happen toward the reason, if within our control.

• Very interesting info. Will be helpful for my work. Very funny too! • Very good speakers. Made data interesting. Kathleen was funny. • Loved Kathleen’s info. Lisa and Bill are doing great thing. • Nice job! This was helpful. I’d like to see how this matches individual attractions, sites, and other

states. I’d like to see some survey questions on visitor impressions of Vermont, like; what does Vermont mean to you? Or Sum up Vermont in one word.

• Great information-1st presentation.

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Session 6: Customer Engagement: Before, During and After They Visit


avg = 4.6

avg = 4.4

avg = 4.4

avg = 4.5

• Excellent information – very informative with how info about the Changing Business Behavior. • Didn’t pertain to me but beneficial to others. • Great information, excellent presentation! • Awesome! • Lots of information!

3 4%

4 37%

5 59%


3 10% 4

35%

5 55%


3 12%

4 38%

5 50%

Knowledge Gained

3 10% 4

28%

5 62%


34

• The first part of the presentation focused too much on mobile readiness, which was a technology focus, rather than a customer service focus. The description was not accurate in the program.

• Excellent/Practical. • Excellent speakers/presenters. Helpful information and great power point presentation. • Would like info on “How” to engage prospects. Email, phone, etc….. • Great insights into how to continually make guest happy before, during, and after they leave. Also

great ways on how to respond to negative feedback. • Don’t read the slide-build from there. Slides too low to see easily Wrapped around mobile devices. • Always applicable.

35

Session 7: Inn Bed Together: Partnering with Innkeepers for Increased Sales


avg = 4.8

avg = 4.4

avg = 4.8

avg = 4.9

• Good information, small attendance. • Awesome, so helpful. So kind. Lots of good new ideas. • Great info and energy. • Very informative. • Great stuff- thanks for concrete examples.

4 22%

5 78%


4 22%

5 78%


4 56%

5 44%

Knowledge Gained

4 11%

5 89%


36

Session 8: Your Content is Your New Marketing Plan


avg = 4.5

avg = 4.3

avg = 4.4

avg = 4.6

• Very informative and helpful! She went really quickly-a little intense to process-but lots of useful

info. Glad the slides are available. • Organized, clear, personal presentation style. Nice examples, maybe a few more. • More geared to people with big budgets. • Very knowledgeable, but geared toward businesses with money/larger budgets. • Refreshing and energetic. Great take away tools.

3 12%

4 26%

5 62%


2 2%

3 5%

4 44%

5 49%


3 13%

4 41%

5 46%

Knowledge Gained

3 3%

4 30%

5 67%


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• Spoke a little too fast. • Great presentation. • Awesome and brilliant. • Title was not clear. I guessed in deciding to attend. Glad I did! But talked and went through

presentation too quickly. • Excellent. • Microphone would have been useful. Practical and applicable presentation. • Very hard to read screen. White lettering no good, type to be larger. • Hard to hear speaker at times. • Loved it! Learned a bunch! • Strength of this presentation was the clarity of the step by step process she outlined. • Please have microphones for all speakers. • Good reminder for my next marketing project and relevant topic.

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Session 9: Matching Your Social Media Strategy to Your Marketing Goals


avg = 4.6

avg = 4.4

avg = 4.6

avg = 4.7

• Red Point has continued to always offer a great amount of knowledge in a fun relaxing environment.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with Vermont! • Presenter-great! Room Logistics- Poor :( • I recommend sitting at various points throughout the room before the presentation to make sure

people can see the screen. I was in the back and couldn’t see the bottom half of the presentation.

2 2%

3 2% 4

33%

5 63%


3 10% 4

23%

5 67%


2 5%

3 5%

4 40%

5 50%

Knowledge Gained

2 2%

3 2%

4 18%

5 78%


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Then, I moved to the front row and the podium was in my way. I didn’t want to move again because I already created a mild disruption when I asked the presenter if he could raise the angle of the projector.

• The “noise” in the market place – All these 3rd party companies taking a piece of the revenue pie. • “um” used too often. Stop and pause. • Excellent and Q & A very helpful. • If time allowed, further “how to” steps for suggested tips. • Great workshop! • Good presentation. • Very knowledgeable speaker. • Great job of limiting and presenting information and providing practical application. • Really great presentation with good outline of goals that I hope to pursue to get our company on

track for measurement. • Screen too low to see presentation. Ended presentation at 11:30 ½ hour for questions.

40

Session 10: Marketing the Experience


avg = 4.6

avg = 4.6

avg = 4.7

avg = 4.6

• The etiquette talk was great. All three were very good. • Very useful information. Really appreciated the “tools” that brought everything together. • Appreciated the real life examples. Great attendee interaction, food “nuggets”. • Maybe every other year? Was sort of a continuation on Daniel’s Etiquette discussion w/ relation to

digital. • Good actionable info.

4 37%

5 63%


3 4%

4 26%

5 70%


3 4%

4 37%

5 59%

Knowledge Gained

3 4%

4 29%

5 67%


41

• Great presentation, good content. • One of the best sessions of the entire conference. Great work! • Great tips. • Nice job! • Unique and helpful perspective on importance of social media. • Held my attention, good examples, learned something. • Great presenters/good information. Perhaps more examples of campaigns and use of tools and

how they impacted social presence. • Presenters did not introduce themselves.

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Session 11: Sustainable Food and Beverage Management; Building Local Supply Networks

Estimated # of attendees: 9

1 = Lowest 5 = Highest n = 8

avg = 4.6

avg = 4.3

avg = 4.5

avg = 4.5

• Need more dynamic & engaging speakers. • Well Done!

4 37%

5 63%


4 50%

5 50%


3 12%

4 50%

5 38%

Knowledge Gained

3 12% 4

25%

5 63%


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Session 12: Service that Exceeds: Embracing Diversity from Employees to Guests


avg = 4.8

avg = 5.0

avg = 5.0

avg = 5.0

• Perhaps back to a large group presentation- everyone should be a part of this. • Need more. • Need more time with Curtis. • More of this needed. • Good information. More needed for all ethnicities.

4 20%

5 80%


5 100%


5 100%

Knowledge Gained

5 100%


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Attendee Comments What did you like most about the conference?

• Chris Miranda's speech, and networking opportunities. • networking-putting names with faces, workshops, keynote (lunch) • The location and facility • reconnecting with others in the industry. Chris' presentation • Farm to table issues. Bill Ackerman's talk. • Several presenters at VT Tourism meeting with Karen Ballard. I am just learning about the tour coach

trade. Miranda element of surprises was brilliant. • improved presenters • Daniel Post Senning • seminars - like surprise and the Met Manchester location nice as I did some shopping too" • The talks by the big guys- Sree and Daniel • The keynotes were super - informative and in the case of Christina's Surprise -- extraordinary • inspiration and knowledge gained from theme speakers • ideas gained from workshops • Workshops & Speakers • Keynote speakers and general sessions. • Chris Miranda's Key Note was exceptional. • Networking was very good • Chris Miranda's presentation • Small group marketing sessions were wonderful. Vermont Gay Tourism presentation was very

informative. • The energy it generates, the practical application, the chance to meet new people in the industry, the

Equinox. • Networking. • The live Dixieland band. • The Manchester location was incredibly convenient. The Equinox offers spacious rooms, ample

bathrooms, etc. The Equinox and VT Tourism staff was wonderful. The keynote speakers were informative and dynamic.

• Keynote presentations on Wed were inspiring and useful • Networking with colleagues • Program flow was logical. Keynotes were all relevant and very entertaining, especially Chris.

Caliber/content of these presentations were excellent. • Really liked the Wednesday night format - reception-style with plenty of time to network. Might

suggest theming menu especially following Chris' "New Orleans" presentation. Loved the "wow" factor. Having a beverage and a snack for a 5PM keynote was an excellent idea. Small stage with a bit of dance floor so we could see the tap dancer would have been a sweet touch.

• The speaker at Wed. luncheon. He was excellent. • it is a great networking event. • Plenty of time/opportunity to network

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• The keynotes were very informative and really impressive in their amount of knowledge and clout in their field. The committee did a great job in selecting them

• Primarily I look on VTIC as a training opportunity - the speakers are always top quality and offer concrete information that I can use in my job. I also enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with people in the industry and also meet a few new faces.

• People of similar purpose and needs together to share authentic concerns. Keynote on Wednesday. • networking • Really enjoyed the concurrent sessions this year - there were several options (sometimes hard to

choose between) that related directly to my various duties at my job. The sessions on paid search campaigns, measuring social media influence, and content marketing were all winners in my book.

• Key note speakers • Redpoint presentation and Post seminar were very good! Great networking, as always. • Networking • keynote speakers and networking • The presentations and the networking. • Coordinated concern to build the industry within the state. • speakers • Good variety of educational sessions. Excellent networking opportunities. • The keynotes and workshops. Liked the fact that were 2 keynotes. • Connecting with colleagues and meeting new contacts. The sense of camaraderie. • Daniel Post Senning's keynote presentation was entertaining and educational. • Presentation on how to approach marketing differently • Sessions and networking • I brought home a lot of practical ideas that I can apply to my own business, even though I'm not

directly related to the tourism industry. Breakout sessions were diverse and the keynotes were outstanding! Great opportunity to network with other business folks as well.

• The seminars were some of the best that I have ever been to at a conference. Three of them were fantastic.

• The keynote speaker on Wednesday evening • Networking opportunities • The networking opportunities to reconnect with travel industry folks from around the state. • Keynote speaker • The keynote addressing surprise. She did an exceptional job keeping our attention. I took away some

great ideas. • Keynote speakers at Wednesday lunch. Vermont Tourism Network meeting. • Christina Miranda's presentation, followed by live music in the evening. • Location. Hope to see you again in the southern counties in 2016. Or maybe every 3rd year if you can

give Rutland area the mid-state years.

What did you like least about the conference? • Some of the sessions were great; some not as good. More consistency would be nice, though overall

everything was good. • driving distance but it was fine once we were on the road! • Lack of food

46

• farm to table - no food - I had bought my husband a ticket - as it turned out he couldn't come - he would have starved to death!

• Lunch! • FILLED OUT SURVEY UP TO THIS POINT YESTERDAY. Sitting fatigue. It's

part of the deal I know but if it was somehow possible to have folks walk some distance between sessions it would be great. The VT Tourism meeting was wonderful /good speakers/ informative etc. but after I needed to exercise by going upstairs for the toilet and taking a few minutes to walk outdoors. It ended up that I was way too late for the Byways meeting.

• signage to direct us to rooms, restrooms • Info from year to year doesn't seem to change much Could probably attend every 2-3 years • the last seminar where we gave the panel the service dilemmas and they gave responses • Sound was not good at several of the seminars I attended - mic issues • The "dinner" • Wednesday Lunch • Food. • The farm to table dinner. • Too little time for exhibitors with the 15 minute coffee breaks... with exhibit space so far from the

meeting rooms, people opted out for going up to the exhibit space with so little time. • food was terrible • "Sound quality during keynote addresses was awful. Sound quality of microphones in small group

session was poor as well -- most speakers gave up and shouted instead. • The food was terrible. The Wednesday night ""dinner"" was a poor offering of hors d'oeuvres that

were never replenished accompanied by far too much alcohol. There was not enough food and what was offered looked as though it had been sitting out for hours before making it to the serving stations."

• I was exhausted after the 3 days! • Freezing meeting rooms. • There was a lot of repetition of content/topic within the various sessions. And several of the session

presenters did not meet expectations in terms of the information they offered. • Emphasis on local food products was wonderful, quality of preparation and presentation did not do

many of the products justice (Wed lunch was particularly disappointing) • Both lunch and dinner events left many attendants wanting more to eat • Felt that there should be some sort of seating available for breakfast on Thursday morning in vendor

area. Wednesday plated lunch not too good - salty salad, dry bread. Better selection of breakfast breads on Thursday morning. Possible to add cereal and/or yogurt?

• The VTN speakers stood in front of their power point presentations and could not see them. The 3rd speaker was poor, nice lady but not a good presenter.

• The workshops were just okay. • Wed. lunch was just fair...if you're going to serve a turkey sandwich. Give us some turkey and skip the

big fat bread slices! The salad was good but the dessert was just okay. • The food, room temps, seminars were too much social media. • Dinner service on Wednesday - not enough tables, place to eat, too difficult to navigate with small

plates and drinks • Short sessions too short. 1/2 sessions a waste of time.

47

• The food presentations - lunch on the first day, dinner and how they continually ran out and there were od portions of things, and the breakfast set up felt very disjointed. Also there were cookies in the morning in the VTN room - very odd for an AM break

• 2.5 hour drive, poor signage to find location and conference area. These are definitely merchants, not presenters.

• food • No major complaints. It was far away from my business this year, but I understand it needs to move

around. I did feel the Southern Vermont brand presentation was kind of tedious for those of us with no connection to Southern Vermont (but wish them all the best).

• The work shop on "Big Data." Just a sales pitch with little knowledge of the product by speaker. • Farm to Table Dinner was an embarrassment. there simply wasn't anything substantive to eat. • location and food • I can usually only attend one day, so I miss some really good stuff on the second day. • The food. • food • The food. • Having to make a choice between workshops occurring at the same time! • Some of the speaking in the general sessions got long. Housekeeping announcement are okay but

other than that, keep it to the keynotes. • Concurrent sessions that I attended did not offer much useful, practical information; in particular Big

Data and Behavioral Targeting. She did not know her audience well at all. • Layout of the conference rooms was confusing; hard to find people between sessions. • Food at the Equinox left something to be desired at all meals. • Wed Evening dinner • Being a first timer, I found the opening night reception a bit intimidating. People were very friendly

and receptive, but it's sometimes tough to break into a crowd of people that have formed bonds over a number of years attending the conference. Maybe a "newcomer" mixer 30 minutes before the main opening reception or maybe assign a veteran to buddy up with a newcomer for introductions, etc.

• The food was horrible. • The farm to table dinner • The food. I was hungry and did not want to leave property to find something better due to missing

program elements if I did. • nothing • I thought combining the Chamber awards with the Travel Person Award was a mistake. I think the

separate gala in the fall gives better recognition to the award winners. • Wednesday lunch food. SEO/Adwords session didn't give practical information for Vermont tourism

partners. Why did you decide to attend the conference?

• Exposure to clients and possible future connections. • always good info, networking, see how the industry is doing, ideas form other businesses • Networking • I try to always attend. • Always want to improve and learn.

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• Just beginning to learn about coach tours - our company never courted them, they just called and asked to come for a visit or they just showed up. We are now learning that they can really impact our sales and help grow our reputation by spreading the word.

• Networking, new information • We attend every year. Networking • location - close enough to make it a day trip • I like to be able to get knowledge to improve my business and retain customers. • Networking and useful information • It is important to keep up with the market trends including what's new and what is passé . • Network Opportunities & Education Opportunities • Go every year, and it has improved every year. • ROI for this conference has always been and continues to be the highest of any industry conference I

attend. • Good opportunity to present and share knowledge among the industry. • Increase exposure for our Association, networking and educating members of our Association on the

value of attending the VTIC. • several people had recommended it to me. • To gain new information, meet new people. • I like to come every year. • I have attended many Vermont Tourism events (through the historic downtown program), but not this

one. I've just changed jobs and am now marketing for a VT resort which is obviously much more directly related to the tourism industry. This conference seemed like a must attend.

• Gain exposure to travel industry in our state beyond the lodging community • Networking, education • Quality and relevance of keynotes and workshops. • I work for one of the top attractions in VT. • I go every year to network and see what’s new with marketing, etc. • networking opportunities • I find the networking with colleagues to be the most beneficial, both on a social level as well as a

business level. We collaborate very well together. • It's on my calendar every year - it definitely offers good value. • New to the job. Wanted to network and get tips on concerns, mechanics. • meet new people • Still want to meet others in the industry, and felt the sessions would be good learning opportunities. • I always get something out of it. • networking, educational • I always plan on attending • growing tourism is part of my job • Would not miss it! • I live close by and am interested to build the brand of Vermont to increase tourism. • To attend the VIBBA membership meeting, to experience the educational sessions, to network w/

others. • Continued learning, networking, always a well-run event.

49

• It's the only gathering in Vermont where you can see such a large and diverse group of people in the tourism industry.

• To stay current with marketing strategies; in particular Social Media. • One of the few opportunities during the year to get together with such a wide range of hospitality

professionals in Vermont. • It was based upon the sessions being offered • I'm on the board of the VGTA and that was my primary reason for attending. Also, trying to bring

tourism to our business in a remote part of the NEK so hoped to get ideas on how best to do that. • Networking. • to see Hans win innkeeper of the year • There's always something to learn but you don't know what it will be. • I always pick up a few tips on customer service from the workshops that work well for others in our

industry. I ice hearing about the newest best practices as they change a lot from year to year! • networking opportunities • Primarily for the workshops and for networking opportunities. • Networking. VTN meeting.

Other suggestions from attendees for change and/or future topics for next year’s conference?

• Bring back Chris Miranda! • Young, spirited business people that are interested in Tourism. Thoughts on bridging the gap between

old and new ways of folks planning their vacations, Customer service expectations and ways to deliver. • "There should be a bigger deal made of the awards for the Inn keeper and Restaurateur etc. • The Travel Person of the Year which I received was in the right setting and a tremendous honor and

surprise! Thank you!" • Other than what I have already said, I really don't. I will certainly plan to attend the entire conference

next year. • Speakers could be better prepared. Not much was riveting, except the ones that were paid the big

bucks and are professional speakers. • Have you ever addressed the H2B Visa question? Should we as an industry be lobbying for these? • How Vermont regions can work together to bring more tourist to our state. There are some areas that

do this well with an entity such as Stowe area Association while most others lag behind. There is much talk about this but very little as far as tangible results. Bringing in a panel from a group or groups that is doing this well could benefit the entire state.

• No, just keep getting those great theme speakers! • I think a panel of state legislators would with questions re: tourism would be good to hear...both their

knowledge of the industry and their support (or lack of support) of the industry • The woman from Sojourn who presented on Wednesday re: "Big Data" was terrible. Please select

speakers that are actually going to answer questions. She had the same generic answer for everyone who asked a question. Speakers who give thoughtful or insightful answers OR tools/tips that can be utilized in the real world are far better than theoretical answers. It seemed like Sojourn was just trying to sell us their services without giving any advice about how to utilize what they do.

• How to succeed with little or no social media strategy. This would be an interesting discussion with a panel of successful business owners who may have opted for other avenues for marketing and PR.

50

• More Vermont statistics (either presented or simply made available) would be helpful). Perhaps take a poll of the 'experience levels' of attendees and offer sessions that are relevant for 2-3 levels (e.g. some in the room might need a 'beginners' social media session...others might be looking for advanced). And definitely offer a wider variety of topics. Unfortunately, the sessions led by local presenters were less informative - in that their level of 'expertise' did not seem greater than those in attendance. I thoroughly appreciate that higher caliber speakers are require bigger budgets, however in order to make a 2-3 day commitment worthwhile, that investment needs to be made. I would highly recommend a woman by the name of Porter Gale ( http://www.portergale.com/ ) for future events, as well as Denise Benou Stires (http://www.lamingtonpartners.com/ ).

• It will be good to have lodging specific topics in an effort to attract more hoteliers including a hotelier social, either after dinner event, cocktail party or other

• Maybe a workshop with a panel on how to make your business more farm-to-fork friendly with a chance to meet folks (i.e. VT Fresh Network, or the like) from a group perspective, whether large or small scale. Vermont food and beverage vendors incorporated into a small window of time with the other vendors or perhaps somehow into the Farm-to-Fork event?

• Have a speaker or workshop on Trip Advisor. • I like when big time attractions/museum's media people speak about social media and marketing. • I would like to know more about the marketing beyond social media. • I would love to see on one of the days a track for middle group sales managers and front desk

employees where directors could bring our staff to brush up on superior sales skills, problem solving and communication

• I know that Mark from Trip Advisor attended this year; I have found the TA seminars valuable in the past. Perhaps the session could be brought back next year, and I would suggest adding someone from Yelp.

• One of the sessions I attended (SEO and Paid Search) seemed like two sessions squished into one - giving each of those speakers a full hour to go into further details/practical application would be nice; could be done in the future without being repetitive.

• I particularly liked the freshness of the key note speakers. • A one day conference. • Theme-based cooperative marketing; e.g. restaurant weeks/local food production, food festivals/inn

stays. • Getting the best from your smart phone • Be sure to bring Christina back!!! • A keynote who can do more than provide information is always a bonus. It doesn't have to be a band...

just someone who is entertaining to listen to as well as informative. Chris Miranda was great but Dan Post did this too in a very low key way.

• Have a great idea for a topic or keynote for next year. I always wonder how much of what people take away from a conference like VTIC actually gets implemented once back at the place of business. Lots of great ideas, but how long before the conference "buzz" wears off and it's back to the same routines. Because of that self-question, I've actually started a spreadsheet of items that I'm actually doing that I can directly relate to my VTIC attendance. I'm keeping cost, benefit, increase in business and a note on the person or session that was most responsible for me implementing that new part of my business. The goal would be to be able to share at a future conference REAL, ACTUAL and CONCRETE things that were implemented as a result of attending a VTIC conference to drive home the point that "this stuff really works". I already have 5 things on that spreadsheet and I suspect I'll have more than 50 by the

51

end of the year. Might be interesting for attendees to see how applying what they learn can really work.

• Etiquette/professionalism was great! Do something like that again. • Motorcoach 101 • I was very interested in hearing about agri-culinary tourism clusters, but was disappointed to find it

was a presentation of academic research with little practical application. I'd love to hear about how real restaurants, farms, and businesses have partnered both in and outside of Vermont.

• Some focus on smaller venues, attractions, and out of the way corners of VT. • I think that a presentation from our partners at DNE would provide welcome information for those in

the tourism community who currently are not familiar with Vermont's marketing to international tourists.

• Longer more in depth. Maybe more flexible time so that "un-conference" networking can follow a session and continue subject more informally.

Suggestions from attendees for exhibitors at next year’s conference? • Meredith - may be viable again... • I felt the auction might have been better. The flat paper on tables just didn't seem to work. Too much

time was needed to read the details and there were many donations of this type. Could the auction items somehow be posted to the VTIC website with using photos, brochures (many lodging, restaurant, resort offerings), links, even a 15-30 second spot video. Berkshire Visitors Bureau runs a large auction. Check it out: https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=berkshires

• Actual farm to table food ideas and tasting. More information on VT libations. Invite VFN to participate.

• It would be interesting to see some international tour operators speak on perceptions, pluses & minuses of Vermont as a product: A panel of destination wedding couples (from out of state) as to why and how they found Vermont for their wedding. What expectations were met and what they would do differently.

• Not yet • Not Sojourn • I was surprised not to see many breweries represented (I may have missed some attendees...and I did

not see any brewer exhibitors). I did see vineyards. It's my assumption that brewery tours are a significant draw for tourism in VT. I would also have expected many more attendees from Manchester businesses. Perhaps the bigger issue is members vs non and whether business owners are aware of the conference and/or their ability to attend if they are not a member. And equally surprised by the small number of sponsors ..and the 'small way' in which the sponsors you did have were represented (e.g. the slide on the screen which showed the sponsor logos was crammed and the logos did not pop. In order to properly represent (and thank) these sponsors...perhaps consider a slide show of logos or some other easy fix).

• Can the exhibitors space be opened up to other folks other than sponsors? Need more variety. • cellular service providers as sponsors? • It's great to see that Vermont is recognized by regional and national/international companies - Orbitz,

Titan, TripAdvisor. We need more of that; maybe their competitors could come too. • On the other hand, the sponsor booths were not very interesting. Need more fun giveaways.

52

• Also, the silent auction was great - like having the big names in tourism sponsor, having the out of state destinations in the auction made the conference feel like it was of regional importance."

• ORourke Hospitality, 7 Prince Place, Newburyport, MA 978.465.5955" • My company, Aunt Sadie's, might be interested in doing an in-kind sponsorship where we design a

candle with the conference logo that would be included in the gift bag of each attendee. I understand next year's conference will be in Burlington and attendance is expected to be around 300. Our candles retail for $18 in most shops so a 300 candle donation would have a value of $5,400. It's also a great takeaway from the conference. Our candle burns for 70+ hours so it'll be around for a long time after the conference to remind people of their attendance.

• Hold more networking events in same room as the exhibitors so there is more time for them to interact with guests in front of their booths.

• None • architecture/historic sites as a theme/"trail" • Sponsorship is a tough issue. Most companies see little return from such sponsorships. I do not recall

that any sponsors were even introduced this year during a general gathering. Suggestions from attendees about how to grow attendance at VTIC?

• maybe offer discount for additional attendees to allow for more than one person/business to attend • It is tough - it is either time or money... • Perhaps next year after I get my feet wet • Lower the price. • Get the word out about the fun this year - Christina and Daniel - wow. • More contacts within the larger travel concerns within the state so word gets out to everyone about

the conference. • More folks should urge their colleagues to attend. Small businesses (we're a B&B) may feel they have

nothing to gain however keeping up with trends is important to all VT businesses. • A first-time attendee deal, or a bring-a-colleague discount. • I think we made in roads with our industry... Partnerships are the key. Once people understand that

value, then I think more industries can bring more of their own to the conference. • Lower the conference cost. $250 for 1.5 days and absolutely appalling food will make me think twice

about attending next year. For example: the New England Inns & Resorts (NEIRA) annual conference has just as many speakers/presenters over two full days and costs $85 to attend.

• The Conference is so heavy on Marketing. Perhaps you can provide more diverse programming that could attract other staff in a business (financial managers, housekeepers, customer service, etc.)

• If you are hearing similar comments from attendees (to those I have made) please be sure to reach out to us and let us know if things will be addressed for next year. Currently I'm not sure we will attend (and certainly not with the same number of employees (3)) as it is difficult to be away from the office and you are competing with 'every other' conference (fees and related time) that we need to attend. I personally feel this is a very important conference and unique opportunity for the VT travel industry to get together, so I certainly hope this makes sense for us again next year.

• see 15 • Some focus on niche marketing (i.e. culinary, trains, historic, ethnic, etc.) from a group travel

perspective. Lots of hoteliers and innkeepers at this conference. Might be able to reach out to more. I liked Chris' engagement/surprise ideas - this is good stuff!

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• Reach out to area chambers and downtowns to provide another view of how tourism can aid with economic development.

• I think the above suggestion would assist in boosting attendance as well • Utilize inbound marketing, instead of outbound - Inbound: You tube, Pinterest, FB, Instagram.

Outbound: mail, TV, telephone, newspaper" • It is a little pricey, so I suspect that may be an issue. I shared my wonderful experiences with others, so

that word of mouth should help! • Make sharing easier for participants social networks by generating Facebook posts to share etc. • Just be awesome. If everyone who was there brought one more staff member next year, the

conference would double. Maybe a discount if an attendee business doubles their representation (if they sent one person, bring two; if they sent two people, bring four, etc.).

• Market it to more auxiliary businesses. Like I noted, I'm not directly in the tourism industry but there was a ton of stuff for me to take away and implement into my own business.

• Publicize the topics covered that are of broad interest on VDTM site, VTN site, VT Chamber, etc... Use all resources to promote and share the ideas that came out of the conference.

• I feel that many people do not even know that this conference is happening. I think that you need to do more advertising and more outreach to Chambers and other tourism groups.

• hook into the environmental business community • I suggest an effort be made to get the regional chambers to promote the event to their members. If

positive comments regarding attendance by their members were sent out in a newsletter by each regional chamber a few months before VTIC, perhaps other chamber members might attend.

• More central location. • Make a webpage that helps one sell the conference to your gatekeepers/bosses. • Try to tackle the issue that many people say "that was 50% sales pitch". Could start in the evaluation,

let the speakers know you’re measuring "too much sales pitch" Other Comments & Feedback

• nice job. • thank you • Excellent location, setting and great meeting over all. Well worth the time! • The one day I attended was a very positive experience - not to mention lunch with the Governor at the

table. I look forward to the whole conference next year. • Thank you • Will complete this tomorrow • Thank you for putting this together. • I am kind of ashamed at the food at the Equinox. I would have provided a much lovelier meal. As a

resident of Manchester, I hate to see the conference go somewhere else, but if food is a concern, I don't know why you'd go back to the Equinox Hotel. They really dropped the ball. Perhaps you need a meal planner to be a liaison between the venue and the conference. This event was about the tourism industry. The hotel did not shine in that way in my eyes. If you come back down south for the conference, let's make sure the food rocks!

• Best ever! • We greatly appreciate the timing of the conference as it comes at the end of the ski season which is

huge for us and many other Vermonters. The date and length of the conference is just right.

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• The enthusiasm of the presenters is inspiring. Overall I find the workshops informative and well presented.

• The organization is smooth - at least from the attenders point of view! • Already looking forward to next year! • This was a great conference! • Great group of people to work with... very professional. • Bravo --- great conference!!!! • please please please serve a real meal for dinner next year! • The Equinox was a great setting. Service, food, rooms, etc. were exceptional. • Great job as always, but I think this was THE BEST VTIC I've been to. • I was a little disappointed in the limited quantity and selection of food at the Farm To Table night.

Maybe it was because The Stoweflake spoiled us in 2013. • Over all, this was a Fantastic networking opportunity, the agenda moved along smoothly, the Vermont

Tourism staff were wonderful, the equinox were very good hosts. This conference has the potential to be one of the most important we attend in any given year.

• Thank you all for a wonderful conference! • I'm happy to help with next year's conference, if you need assistance. • I have done several inter-company sessions on the art of sales and communication so I would be happy

to be a speaker for one of the sessions I suggested above. • MJ Legault's content presentation and Ross Evans' social media presentation - both very useful

sessions. • Thanks to the committee for their hard work. • Had a great time and am looking forward to attending again next year - hopefully with even more of

my coworkers. • The auction needs work. • I look forward to attending in 2015 and thank everyone for their hard work in organizing and

coordinating the conference. • Thank you, thank you - for all that you do to make this great event available to us all. • Are there more awards than usual? There were far too many this year. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... Thank

God that the awards presentation was followed by Chris because otherwise the night would have been a total dud. Just stick to the VTIC classics, the marketing and Travel Person awards.

• Thank you for your hard work in organizing the 2014 VTIC. I know how much work is involved and appreciate the time and effort put in by a group of professionals who volunteer their time.

• Excellent conference and a wonderful group of people. Made me love Vermont more than I already do!!! THANKS!

• Overall Excellent conference! • Excellent job on execution by the VTIC team. • Please tell the hotel the food was VERY disappointing. Sound systems were distracting cutting in and

out. Everything else about the hotel was fantastic. • Was a little difficult to navigate the silent auction which seemed mostly like hotel stays. May not have

been good bang for the buck for the donors as they were mainly piles of papers that you had to read each page. More graphics/pictures would make it easier to look for golf/ski/hotel/goods, etc...

• Seminars looked like good variety.

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• It's been a number of years since I attended this conference. It has matured -- become more sophisticated and polished. I was impressed.

• Feedback was not solicited. I had to reach out to be included in this survey. Should have been the other way around. Are your response rates high enough to instill confidence in the data?

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Topics for Next Year’s Conference

Topic 1st Choice

2nd Choice

3rd Choice

4th Choice

5th Choice

Weighted Rank

Agritourism 3 2 3 3 1 39

Electronic Advertising 6 1 4 5 3 59

Group Tour Industry 6 3 3 2 6 61

Guest Service 8 8 3 3 6 93

Financial Planning 3 2 0 1 0 25

Sustainable Tourism 1 5 2 3 3 40

Time Management 1 0 2 2 7 22

Partnerships 2 3 7 8 5 64

Lodging 2 3 1 5 1 36

Research/Trends 9 14 4 8 1 130

Public Relations 5 2 6 4 4 63

Social Media 4 6 12 4 0 88

Marketing 10 12 6 4 5 129

Cultural Heritage Tourism 0 1 5 3 5 30

Attractions 2 1 0 2 4 22

International Tourism 4 0 6 4 5 51

Human Resources 1 1 1 1 2 16

Outdoor Recreation 1 1 1 0 3 15

Restaurants 1 2 1 3 0 22

Other* 0 1 1 0 1 8

The table above indicates number of place rankings for each topic.

*Other: • This may sound a bit nuts, but how about 'Working America' - touring commercial manufacturers i.e. potteries,

glassworks, woodworking etc. • Sales 101 and 102 • Sales Skills • Mobile, apps, big data • Blogging; How to Write for SEO and the Advantages

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Suggestions for Future Topics from Session Participants: Session 1: Culinary Clusters, Agritourism, Thematic Trails, and Partnerships

• Using social media –how to/hands on - follow up with putting theory into practice. • Communication- Inside your Organization and Out.(skills like listening, chameleon consultant) -

Employee to employee; outside sales; employees and management; etc.

Session 2: How Big Data and Behavioral Targeting are Changing the Travel Industry • Hands on Sales in the New Environments – How to get Face Time w/ new Customers • PLEASE! No more social media, Enough!

Session 3: Getting Found Online: SEO and Google Adwords for the Travel Sector

• Intro to online Marketing • More local focus/small bit application • Longer Sessions! • Trends-top few and spend time on each. Give illustrations and explain in detail. Go deeper so we

really get a new insight. • First step course to Adwords and SEO. • More in depth on Adwords. • Do workshop on Trip Advisor. • How to use Google Analytics • Specifics of setting actual Google Adword campaigns and campaign options. • Best practices when setting up a Google Campaign

Session 4: Video Marketing for Inns and B&B's

(None) Session 5: Who Visits Vermont and Why

• Marketing Campaign Competition (fun, competitive and would help others think of new ways to market. Certain business type in each class).

• Visitor profile info • Media Planning and Buying • Making Editorial Pitches • More research, more on agritourism. • Do the VT visitor survey when it happens again.

Session 6: Customer Engagement: Before, During and After They Visit

• More on Dealing with Difficult People

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Session 7: Inn Bed Together: Partnering with Innkeepers for Increased Sales

(None) Session 8: Your Content is Your New Marketing Plan

• Content marketing w/ more specific examples • Delving more into a content marketing calendar (how to plan and space out specific content) • Deeper insights into audience analytics.

Session 9: Matching Your Social Media Strategy to Your Marketing Goals

• Focus on “Engaging Prospects and increasing conversation rates in group sales”. • Digital Marketing Measurement, Model Specific ways to measure efforts using Google Analytics. Could

be helpful for all to take to the next level. • Panel discussion that is sort of anti-social media- people who don’t invest a lot of time, money and

energy in social media and are never-the-less successful. Willie Docto is a good example. Session 10: Marketing the Experience

• How to succeed even without social media! Facebook is not water. You don’t need it to live. From Willie Docto

• Instagram Campaign • Google Analytics/Adwords • Frontline Customer Service

Session 11: Sustainable Food and Beverage Management; Building Local Supply Networks

• More in depth costing strategies for profit when using sustainable Vermont products.

Session 12: Service that Exceeds: Embracing Diversity from Employees to Guests • More workshops for all diversity and ethnicity.

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Sponsor Survey n = 22

Respondents’ Profile

Sponsor Profile 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 # of Sponsors 33 28 25 25 23 34

# of Sponsor Representatives 55 60

# Responses (Response Rate)

22 (40%)

30 (50%)

12 (48%)

17 (68%)

12 (52%)

13 (38%)

# Years Attending

5 first timers; Range 2-20 Avg=

8.3 yrs


9.1 yrs

2 first timers; Range 1-20 Avg= 10 yrs

4 first timers; Range 1-20 Avg= 7 yrs


6.4 yrs

5 first timers; Range

1-5 Avg= 3 yrs

Conflicting Event? 20/22 no 27/27 no 10/12 no 16/16 no 11/12 no 12/13 no Business/Employment: Advertising 4 3 1 2 2 0 Brochure Distribution 1 1 1 1 1 1 Chamber/Association 2 7 2 0 0 1 Financial Services --- 0 0 1 1 Gov't/Municipality 3 6 0 1 1 2 Nonprofit 4 2 2 3 3 4 Publishing 4 0 0 5 5 2 Website Design/ Social Media Consulting 0 4 1

Other* 1 2 4 4 4 2 Total 19 27 11 17 17 12 *Other: Lodging search solution; Distributor; Retail; Vermont Convention Bureau New Contacts Made? 20/20 yes 26/27 yes 10 yes 15 yes 9 yes 13 yes Sales Anticipated? 15/18 yes 20/25 yes 8 yes 9 yes 5 yes 9 yes Expectations Met? 15/19 yes 22/27 yes 7 yes 13 yes 5 yes 9 yes Sponsor Next Year? 14/18 yes 18/21 yes 8 yes 7 yes 9 yes 10 yes Past Conferences: Made New Contacts? 16/16 yes 21/21 yes 8/8 yes 14/14 yes 9/10 yes 9/10 yes Past Conferences: Made Additional Sales? 11/14 yes 18/20 yes 8/8 yes 6/14 yes 8/10 yes 8/10 yes

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Importance of Sponsorship Benefits 1=Most Important 8 = Least Important (weighted rank is number of place rankings for each topic)

Benefit Weighted Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Booth Space 77 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1

Banner at the General Session 69 1 1 6 0 1 4 1 0

Mention in the email blast with link to your website 46 0 1 1 5 2 0 0 0

Listing in the program 59 0 1 3 2 5 0 2 0

Logo in the program 90 3 2 2 4 2 4 0 0

Networking Opportunities 130 11 6 0 0 0 0 0 0

Recognized Sponsor of Dinner Event 33 0 2 0 0 2 1 4 0

Recognized Sponsor of a meal or refreshment break 42 1 1 2 0 0 2 2 5

Sponsor Profile 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 How heard? Postcard/Brochure 2 4 3 4 1 1 News Article 0 0 0 0 0 0 Another Sponsor 2 1 3 1 0 1 Email 8 7 7 10 3 4 Facebook 1 0 2 1 Twitter 0 0 1 0 LinkedIn 0 0 1 0 VTIC Web Site 3 3 2 3 1 1 Word of Mouth 4 7 2 Plan to go every year 11 15 7 9 Other * 1 3 1 0 7 3 * Other: Annual sponsor; Manchester & The Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce

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Conference Events Event Rating Avg. Excellent Good Fair Poor

Keynote: Sree Sreevanisan 3.39 9 7 2 0

Keynote: Christina Miranda 3.76 13 4 0 0

Farm to Table Dinner 2.47 4 5 6 4

VT Dept of Tourism & Marketing 3.06 7 5 4 1

Keynote: Daniel Post Senning 3.18 6 8 3 0

Rapid Fire Case Studies 2.92 3 7 2 1

Overall Conference

Rating Avg. Excellent Good Fair Poor

Conference Location 3.05 7 8 2 2

Organization of Conference 3.63 12 7 0 0

Sponsor Registration 3.58 11 8 0 0

Access to Conference Assistance 3.58 12 6 1 0

Participant Time with Exhibits 2.42 4 5 5 5

Exhibit Space 2.78 4 9 2 3

Promotion of Exhibit Hall 2.78 4 7 6 1

Networking Opportunities 3.50 9 9 0 0

Quality of Attendees 3.47 9 10 0 0

Value for Your Expenditure 3.17 9 5 2 2

Equinox Resort & Spa

Rating Avg. Excellent Good Fair Poor

Lodging Comfort 3.47 8 6 1 0

Lodging Service 3.47 10 5 2 0

Exhibit Hall Layout 2.89 6 9 0 4

Exhibit Hall Location 2.63 6 4 5 4 Exhibit Hall Lighting & Temperature 3.21 6 11 2 0

Exhibit Hall Set-up Support 3.11 8 7 2 2

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Sponsor Comments Why did you decide to sponsor the conference?

• This conference is a key gathering for Vermont tourism. Everyone connected with the industry should be a sponsor.

• Support the industry that supports me. See so many clients in the same space and time." • We thought it would be a great place to get the word out about all that our Vermont based digital

company had to offer, however the there was little time to speak or see participants. • We always do. • We do every year. • Visibility Networking Opportunity interact with my clients Opportunity to say thank you to clients via

sponsorship. • Try and get new members. • Was close to our place of doing business. • We do so every year. I think it's important to get the tourism folks in one room (well- breakout rooms)

to compare notes and learn more about our trade. • It is important to us that we support this conference and the people who attend this conference.

Comments on Conflict with Other Conferences?

• Not this year but in the past • Sometimes NH or ME • If has in previous years • Thankfully, now, the VT and NH dates do not clash

Comments on Overall Conference

• The sponsor booths were not in a convenient location. I did not spend much time there, and I suspect others didn’t either. The booth is low on my priority list, but I think others value it more than I do.

Comments on Equinox Resort & Spa • Stayed at another property.

Comments on Meet Expectations?

• The vendors did not get much time with participants. • There was fewer people attending the trade show than in previous years and at other conferences.

Having the trade show on a different floor than almost all the conference and dining rooms is a drawback

• It may be useful to take a few minutes, in workshop sessions, for attendees to introduce themselves. Thus the presenters know better who they are addressing and the attendees get an intro to each other.

• The food was terrible and the exhibit space was not well visited by attendees.

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Comments on Events

• For the dinner, larger portions would have worked better. They kept running out of food for the first 2 hours.

• Needed a larger lodging property representative. • The dinner needed more food. I thought that Willie Docto was not qualified to be on that panel. Some

of his comments were totally off base to what really happens in Vermont- especially his comment about the weather. People who come to Vermont expect the weather to be like the photos they see online and they get upset when it rains!

Comments on Sponsor Next Year? • Not sure • Next year’s conference will not be in our area. • I do not see any benefit. I think that VTIC should probably consider some local people to host the

seminars. Vermont does have some pretty smart and LOCAL companies!

Comments on Make New Contacts and Anticipate Added Sales? • I make new connections at the conference every year. • Met a guy in the elevator at the hotel. He may use me this year. • Possibly however the exhibit booths were in a place that attendees did not visit. If I do get any business

it will be because of the networking. Comments on Importance of Sponsor Benefits

• I was not given the option to have a Banner at the conference. Comments on Attending Past Conferences

• This conference is a "who's who" in Vermont tourism. It's the best place to make new connections and strengthen existing relationships.

What did you like most about the conference? • Networking (5) • Seeing what people actually look like after years of emails and phone calls. • The energy was amazing. Speakers were all very educational. • Vermont business people are the best to talk with in New England. They are engaged • Useful information from workshops • Taste of Vermont products • Gov. Shumlin's presentation as well as his response when asked regarding the heroin controversy. • Keynotes!!! Chris Miranda was amazing. • Key note speakers • Chris Miranda!

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• The quality of speakers, networking, friendliness of Delaney Team

What did you like least about the conference? • Nothing! • Setting up and breaking down my booth • Exhibit hall being far from breakdown rooms. • Ballroom was cold!!! Never enough time in the exhibit space. • Having presenters who only know how to business with big dollar customers is not relevant to this

audience. Athena(?), nice lady, but she was seemed unaware that Vermont businesses do not have $15,000 to spend on one aspect of online marketing. She lost her audience.

• The distance between the meeting rooms and the exhibit area • Location of the table top too far away from the conference. • The dinner idea was great offering people a chance to mingle and not just sit at a table with the same

8-10 people. However, the quantity of the food so very slim. Was not enough to call a meal at all. This was a Happy Hour drink and food bites. Everyone I spoke with went away hungry and disappointed.

• Not enough food at the nighttime event. I think it led to many hang overs because the booze was plentiful. I would also like to see reps from the booze companies talking about the pairings.

• Felt that there was an expectation that there would be a dinner served and it was finger food, hors d' oeuvres . Feel it should have been sold as finger food or hors d' oeuvres instead of dinner. Food was great but just didn't expect that.

• Farm to Table dinner - sparse.

Suggestions for changes and for future topics/speakers next year? • Future topics: Motorcoach/groups 101 and International business 101. • Before meals dining rooms should be closed off and set up an event that brings people to trade show

for half an hour. Cocktails before dinner, of course. What to do before lunch or breakfast you need to figure out.

• It may be useful to take a few minutes, in workshop sessions, for attendees to introduce themselves. Thus the presenters know better who they are addressing and the attendees get an intro to each other (also noted on previous page)

• Excellent program especially the keynotes. • Big Data I don’t think was really relevant to the folks who attended. • More knowledge about the Vermont Convention Bureau given to participants. • Change up the topics for workshops, consider different dinner format.

Other comments or feedback? • The food was terrible and the staff was very loud and disruptive in the back hallway during the

speeches.

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• That a vendor has does work for the tourism department, or other Vermont business is not a criterion for being a good presenter. Seek out presenters who are relevant to small sized businesses that attend the show.

• Looking forward to next year. Thank you all for all that you did! • Thank you for continuing to put on this valuable conference.

Vermont Travel Industry Conference Summary · E valuation R eport. Compiled and Presented by: Lisa...

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