Smile Conference 2009

Smile 2009: Speaker Lineup Confirmed

2009-04-05T03:45:00.004-04:00

SETTING THE SCENE: THE MARKET FORECAST SESSION

9.00am Sarah Duignan
STR Global

What Lies Ahead: A brief from the global benchmark specialists on the latest travel trends from Ireland, Europe & the US.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS: THE REVENUE MANAGEMENT SESSIONS
It’s never been more important to re-visit your revenue and pricing strategies. In these sessions, you’ll get answers to all your revenue and pricing questions, benchmark your strategy against your others in your market and prepare your company for the year ahead.

9.30am Patrick Landman
CEO
Xotels.com

Under Your Nose: While most revenue management activity focuses on room revenue, you may be missing the opportunities that are right under your roof in conference & banqueting. In this session, Patrick identifies the other sources of revenue available to you in-house and in-reach.

10.10am Kate Varini,
CEO
BetterRevenue.com

The Bottom Line: Under scrutiny many revenue management strategies prove misguided. In this session, Kate Varini takes a closer look at this exacting area and examines whether your activities are helping or hurting the bottom line.

10.45am Coffee Break

OPPORTUNITY CLICKS – THE DIGITAL SESSIONS
The digital era is a transformational one, where your customers are as responsible for creating the product, brand and experience as you are. The Digital Session brings together some of Ireland’s best brains in digital.

11.15am Brian Harte
Head of Customer Engagement and eMarketing
Tourism Ireland

Web Masters: Being online is no longer enough – you’ve got to really engage your audience. In this presentation, Brian Harte outlines some of the innovative approaches Tourism Ireland are taking to putting Ireland at forefront of the new conversation.

11.50am Richard Delevan
Digital Client Services
McConnells

The Golden Thread: With a career that spans journalism, politics and advertising, Richard Delevan has both made and reported on the news. In this hot-off-the-web session, Richard takes his passion for all things digital to help you unravel the strands of this new-tangled media!

12.30pm Rob Shine
Cybercom

Digital Case Study: With experience working on high-tech solutions for clients across all sectors, Rob will demonstrate some practical examples from hospitality of how to go end-to-end seamlessly using the latest technologies.

1.00pm Lunch

1.30pm Bobby Kerr
Insomnia Coffee and RTE’s Dragons Den.

What’s The Buzz? This leading entrepreneur throws down the gauntlet and offers his thoughts on how to be bold in these challenging times.

CHANNEL CROSSING: THE DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY SESSIONS
Choosing the correct distribution strategy is central to marketing effectiveness – in these sessions, we examine a number of key issues around making the right choice.

2.05pm Des O’Mahony
Founder
Bookassist

Go Direct: They say turnover is vanity, profit sanity; in this session, Des outlines how you can lower your cost of sale and increase customer loyalty through more effective direct booking strategies.

2.45pm Iselin Skogland
E-Hotelservices.Com

Who Dares Wins: The electronic distribution landscape is no place for the fainthearted. In this session, international expert Iselin will equip you with the necessary insights and strategies to make the most of the opportunities that exist.

3.15pm Coffee break

OVER THE LINE: THE SALES PRESENTATION SESSION

3.30pm Richard Newman
M62

Clinching The Deal: Now that you’ve secured that meeting, how will you bring that new business across the line? In this session, master marketer Richard Newman will offer communications tips on making a winning presentation.

TAKE IT FROM THE TOP: THE LEADERSHIP SESSION

4.00pm Panel

Voices Of Experience: We wind up the day with a panel discussion led by Alex Gibson to explore a number of the key issues in marketing with leadership professionals.

Speakers TBC

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: OPEN NETWORKING

4.45pm Open Networking Event

Fortune Favours The Bold...

2009-03-03T02:58:00.005-04:00

Smile Conference is a unique one-day workout offering you the inside track on critical sales & marketing issues in the hospitality sector.

This year, we’re inviting you to ‘be bold’ with Smile 2009 promising an even better mix of practical insight, innovative strategies and powerful networking opportunities for those in a sales & marketing role in hospitality and tourism.

So what's new for 2009? Hot topics include:

STR Global Briefing Session – How exactly are the local and international hospitality markets looking for 2009 and beyond?

Revenue Management Session – It’s never been more important to revisit revenue and pricing strategies.

Digital Session – Going online is not enough, you’ve got to engage our customers like never before.

Distribution Strategy – Choosing the right e-strategy is vital to selling effectively online.

Masterful Sales Presentations – Now you’ve secured a meeting with your prospect, how are you going to clinch the deal?

Plus Special Guest Speaker: Insomnia’s Bobby Kerr (RTE’s Dragon’s Den)

Email: Gerard@SmileConference.com for updates on speakers as they're confirmed.

How To Bring A Smile To The Face Of Your Boss

2007-05-21T01:52:00.000-04:00

Smile 2007 is a unique one-day conference workout for sales and marketing professionals in hospitality, and this year’s lineup and format makes it the ‘must-attend’ event of the year.

You know it, but your boss or financial controller may need a little convincing. To help you out, we've compiled a handy aid to persuasion.

1. You’ll get a full-on, full day workout tackling critical sales and marketing issues for your business.
2. You’ll be first to hear the findings of our Pulse Rate report, which checks the vital signs of your industry and offers a diagnosis for the future.
3. Thanks to our round-table format, you’ll get to hear from some of the brightest people in the business – both our speakers and your colleagues - and learn how they’re getting to grips with key issues in their business.
4. You’ll get to hear how to access key markets using the power of affiliates, consortia and referral networks, how to make the most of every guest interaction, how to design a search marketing strategy that works and leverage online partnerships and much, much more.
5. You’ll hear from some of the biggest players online what lies ahead and what you need to be doing to get ahead and stay ahead.
6. You’ll get to network formally and informally with your colleagues in the industry and establish important contacts and resources for your work.
7. You’ll get to return to your business armed with presentations, tips and slides to share with your colleagues.
8. In the weeks following Smile 2007, you’ll receive invaluable How To Guides from our partners, covering areas such as: Optimise Your Website, Develop Your Brand and Commission Design.
9. You’ll get to help us design an even more dynamic and effective Smile 2008.
10. And last, but most importantly, you’ll bring a Smile to our faces!

Need even more reasons to Smile? Visit Smile Website for more details.

Smile Right Back

2007-05-14T01:01:00.000-04:00

Our third Smile Interview sees Alex trade back and forth with Smile Lost & Found Partner, Frank Hannigan, founder of the ingenious YouGetItBack.com.

An Excellent Referral

2007-04-21T01:56:00.000-04:00

In the second of our Smile Interviews, Alex Gibson of The Persuaders chats with speaker Sarah Owen of The Referral Institute who recently dazzled at an event to mark World Networking Day and who promises to deliver a real edge to delegates seeking to make the most of their hospitality and tourism networks.

Good Things In Season

2007-04-09T08:48:00.000-04:00

In the first in a series of Interviews with our sponsors and partners, Alex Gibson of The Persuaders speaks with Angela Canny of Seasons Catering (the people who'll be taking such good care of our delegates at Smile 07).

Angela tells us a little of her role in marketing Season's hospitality and catering at the Guinness Storehouse.

Bringing A Smile To Our Faces

2007-03-25T19:31:00.000-04:00

Over the last few months, we've been working hard not only to put together a great lineup of speakers (of which more a little later this week) but a strong team of partners too.

We've welcomed on board AFA O'Meara (whose MD, Stuart Fogarty, proved such a popular speaker at Smile 2006), Action Recruitment (specialist hospitality recruiters), YouGetItBack.com (the lost and found specialists who bring out the good samaritan in all of us) and Seasons at the Guinness Storehouse (whose hospitality went down a treat last year).

On top of that, we're delighted to be working again with Quadriga, Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, Dcoy Design (whose excellent logo design for Smile continues to draw admiring glances), Eventznet and the Tourism Research Centre.

No wonder you find us smiling from ear to ear at Smile Central! We find working with them a real pleasure and warmly recommend them to you.

Smile 2007 - Confirmation of Date & Venue

2007-01-14T04:36:00.000-04:00

We've listened to what you had to say about the best timing for you and recently confirmed the date for Smile 2007.

The conference will take place earlier in the year on May 24th at The Storehouse in Dublin - last year's location scored high for many of you particularly those travelling to the event from outside of Dublin. (Mind you, some of the more resourceful of you had suggested we host Smile at your property!).

We've also taken on board your feedback on speakers and topics and are in discussions with some very interesting people about bringing them to the Storehouse in May. We'll keep you posted as we confirm our lineup.

What Do You Do When Someone Smiles At You?

2006-11-04T04:10:00.001-04:00

We’ve been getting it from all sides! On the day itself, through feedback forms and emails and at meetings and industry events, delegates from Smile 2006 have been telling us how much they enjoyed the day:

"Excellent line-up and ideally setup for networking...
Loved the round-table format and lively Q&A sessions...
Certainly got the workout we were promised...
Inspired and motivating...
I see this conference going from strength to strength...
A wealth of great informative speakers who know their stuff."

& offering suggestions as to how we can make Smile 2007 even better:

"Broaden your focus to include more tourism (and not just hospitality / hotel) presentations...
More of a balance between marketing and sales (Smile 2006 was a little marketing-heavy)...
Shorter refreshment & comfort breaks." (we forgot what a hardworking bunch sales & marketing professionals are!)
Whilst the Storehouse was a popular choice, some canny delegates suggested we hold next year’s event at their venue instead!

We hear you! Calls are being made. Plans are being hatched. Check out Smile Conference for updates and more details on Smile 2007.

A Word Of Advice (Interview: Marc Charron of TripAdvisor)

2006-10-26T03:49:00.000-04:00

Marc Charron, who gave us a lot to smile about at this year's conference speaks to Alex Gibson on The Persuaders' Marc Charron Interview.

Technorati Tag: TripAdvisor.com, Marc Charron, The Persuaders, Alex Gibson

I've Smiled So Much...

2006-10-23T14:39:00.000-04:00

Ever heard a bride describe how much her face hurts after her wedding day? It's been a little like that for us at Smile Central as we've wound down from a hectic few months lining things up for Smile 2006 on October 10th.

Your feedback has been great and we're delighted that we got more on the mark than not. Some of the things we were trying for the first time and, by all accounts, these worked well: the format of the event and the set-up of the room and tables seem to have gone down particularly well, whilst the speaker lineup was a real talking point.

Which sets the bar even higher for us for Smile 2007. We'll be in touch as we plot next year's event. In the meantime, drop us a line with any suggestions you have (particularly any speaker or topic that you've like to see included).

And, of course, keep on smiling!

Box Of Tricks

2006-10-09T01:57:00.000-04:00

The power of music in helping to set the scene, whether at an event or in a restaurant or hotel lobby, is often underestimated, so I was delighted to happen upon Pandora whilst pulling together the soundtrack for our Smile Conference.

Pandora offers me the tools to create a playlist based around a particular song that I like and uses the individual characteristics of that song to suggest other songs that share those characteristics. I listen to each suggested song and give it the thumbs up or down, which helps Pandora refine its search further.

Apart from being a lot of fun, Pandora has allowed me to make a soundtrack based around Simon & Garfunkel's 'Mrs.Robinson' that taps into the particular spirit of that song (which in turn has tapped into the brand profile of the conference itself).

Seems to me that this approach offers event organisers and venue hosts the opportunity to set the scene in a way that's much more likely to strike a chord with their own visitors than the bland muzak that's usually served up.

Technorati Tag: Smile Conference, Pandora, brand

Something To Chew Over

2006-10-05T06:08:00.000-04:00

Am just writing our welcome note to delegates and my musing over our choice of the Smile name for our conference (we believe it it reflects all that is best in this dynamic sector) prompts me to wonder what lies behind (or, gulp, beneath) the annual Shark Awards hosted by our friends in Irish advertising in Kinsale just recently.

Best not to mull over that one for too long: like the shark, we’ll just keep moving.

Persuading Your Boss To Send You Off With A Smile

2006-09-29T02:03:00.000-04:00

Some tips in the gentle art of persuasion:

Smile 2006 is a unique one-day conference workout for sales and marketing professionals in Hospitality and Tourism, and this year’s lineup and format makes it the ‘must-attend’ event of the year.

You know it, but your boss or financial controller may need a little convincing. To help you out, we've compiled a handy list to help you persuade him or her.

1. You’ll get a full-on, full day workout tackling critical sales and marketing issues for your business.
2. You’ll be first to hear the findings of our Pulse Rate survey, which checks the vital signs of your industry and offers a diagnosis for the future.
3. Thanks to our round-table format, you’ll get to hear from some of the brightest people in the business – both our speakers and your colleagues - and learn how they’re getting to grips with key issues in their business.
4. You’ll get to hear how to make a great coffee (and a great coffee business), how to deliver award-winning customer care, how to re-launch an iconic brand and much more.
5. You’ll hear from some of the biggest players in the Internet space about what lies ahead and what you need to be doing to get ahead and stay ahead.
6. You’ll get to network formally and informally with your colleagues in the industry and establish important contacts and resources for your work.
7. You’ll get to return to your business armed with presentations, tips and slides to share with your colleagues.
8. In the weeks following Smile 2006, you’ll receive invaluable How To Guides from our partners, covering areas such as: How To Brand, Commission Design, Commission Photography, Design A Sales Campaign etc.
9. You’ll get to help us design an even more dynamic and effective Smile 2007.
10. And last, but most importantly, you’ll bring a Smile to our faces at Smile Central (Team Motto: We'd love to see you bring a face to our Smile!)

Need even more reasons to Smile? Visit Smile Conference for more information and booking details.

Smiling All The Way To The Bank

2006-09-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

Here at Smile Central, we recently read the story of the remarkable Frank O. Brock, a banker who generated over 6,000 active bank accounts in a town of 514 people.

His ingenious mix of product and service suggests an approach to sales & marketing that we all might put to work for us when playing host in our own business: The Banker's Sales & Marketing Secret

Smiles All Round For Mandarin Oriental

2006-09-14T06:47:00.000-04:00

News that one of our favourite hotels bagged a prestigious Fast Company Customers First Award (one of only six companies worldwide in any sector to do so) brings a smile to our faces here at Smile Conference Central.

Mind you, we’re not too surprised that the plaudits keep coming in for David Spooner and his colleagues at Mandarin Oriental – their legendary customer care is one of the reasons we invited David to join us on the 10th.

Welcome to Smile!

2006-09-11T09:06:00.000-04:00

This Year We're Giving You...

SMILE 2006 is a unique one-day conference workout tackling critical sales & marketing issues for the hotel and tourism sector.

We’ve taken onboard your feedback from last year and Smile 2006 is designed to provide you with even more practical insights and workable strategies from Irish and international speakers, round-table exchange and planning, whilst offering invaluable opportunities to network with other members of this dynamic community.

...Some Reasons To Smile...

Our confirmed line-up for Smile 2006 includes:

Chair
Orlaith Blaney, Managing Director of Mc Cann Erickson Advertising

Speakers
David Spooner, Vice President of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Sally Everton, Paramount Hotels Group
Stuart Fogarty, Director, AFA O'Meara Advertising
David McKernan, Founder and MD, Java Republic Roasting Company
Anne-Marie Whelan, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Shelbourne Hotel
Marc Charron, Managing Director - Europe, TripAdvisor
John Herlihy, European Director, Online Sales & Operations, Google
Jonathan Dolden, Head of Product Market, Quadriga

...Even More Reasons To Smile
Inside Track : A round-table exchange to help translate what you’ve just heard into action
Pulse Rate : State of the industry insights & imperatives
Adrenaline Rush : All you need to succeed on the internet