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Convention Agenda

Wednesday, November 4

11am to 5pm: CONVENTION REGISTRATION at Radisson Paper Valley

12noon - 2pm: OPENING LUNCHEON AND KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Tourism Trends in the New Normal Economy,
Bill Geist of Zeitgeist Consulting

Wisconsin’s own national tourism expert, Bill Geist, will identify the trends behind the difficult and dizzying changes we have all been facing lately and share ideas on how to take advantage of them. He'll discuss changes in the way consumers choose the products they crave, how experience is becoming a hotter commodity than possessions, the time poverty that drives us all...and more. Bill will suggest ways to capitalize on these and other changes in consumer lifestyles to increase sales, appreciation, buzz and brand awareness.

2:15pm - 3:15pm: BREAKOUT SESSIONS

1. Social Media ROI – You’re tweeting and your have a Facebook fan page, now what? Discover the impact social media can have on your brand as well as measurements you can use to define success.

2. Festivals and Events – tbd

3. Convention & Sports Sales – Hear from a panel of convention and sports planners what the latest trends, tools and preferences of their industry so you can better attract them to your destination or property.

4. JEM Grant Program – Hear the latest ins and outs of the popular Joint Effort Marketing program from the Department of Tourism’s Abbie Hill.

3:15pm -3:30pm: NETWORKING BREAK

3:30pm - 4:30pm: REPEAT BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1-4

5pm - 7pm: MARKETPLACE AND RECEPTION
Meet and network with convention sponsors, exhibitors and colleagues while enjoying food, beverages and a chance to win prizes. Sponsored by Midwest Living Magazine, Collinson Publishing and Fox Cities CVB.

7pm - 10pm: POST RECEPTION
Following the Marketplace reception, please join the Fox Cities CVB for a fun-filled treasure hunt in downtown Appleton. Discover a pub where it’s Christmas year-round, visit Harry Houdini’s hang out, and spend time socializing with tourism friends old and new. 

Thursday, November 5

8am – 8:30am: BREAKFAST BUFFET

8:30am - 9am: TRAILBLAZER AWARDS CEREMONY
Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble (invited) gives us an update of the agency and helps WACVB recognize the best in Wisconsin Tourism marketing and partnership efforts.

9:15am - 10:15am: BREAKOUT SESSIONS

1. Mobile Marketing… the Next Killer App? - With 46 billion global mobile users by 2011, and a 61% growth in mobile browsing, a very high percentage of your now online product will be marketed and sold through a new channel. Find out more about mobile marketing and how it can work for tourism organizations.

2. Media Buying in the Digital Age – This session will guide you through the maze of constantly evolving media and digital trends, helping you find the balance between online and traditional media buying options.

3. Taking Tourists to the Farm – Learn about the growing popularity of agri-tourism from “back-to-the-farm” destinations…what they offer, who they attract, and more. Presented by a panel of owner/operators from the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association.

4. Keep ‘Em Coming Back – Here from a panel of top Wisconsin attractions on how they keep things new and fresh so visitors come back time and time again, even in tough economic times.

10:20am - 11:20am: REPEAT BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1-4

11:30an - 12noon: CONVENTION WRAP UP