STAR TALES 1

Welcome to the American Bus Association Marketplace, the travel industry's premier place to network, sell, and learn all at the same time. This is the first of four newsletters (three pre-Marketplace and one post-Marketplace), which you, as a Star Delegate, will receive.

Your Show Ticket to STARdom: ABA's Marketplace Orientation Center

Be sure to stop by the Orientation Center, sponsored by Theatre Direct International, as soon as you register at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - the Orientation Center can be of tremendous help to you!   Marketplace behind the scenes tours and tips, one-on-one mentoring, videos and much more are all available to you. Industry veterans will be ready to answer all your questions, and get you started on a productive week!

Many STAR delegates are apprehensive about what to do, who to see, and how to begin. First, don't worry! The Orientation Center staff will have everything to put your mind at ease. We urge you to stop by.

Limitless Networking: Marketplace is a WHOLE Week of Business Opportunities

Another note about Marketplace - be there to take full advantage of every networking opportunity.   Industry veterans agree that the more time you spend at Marketplace, the more opportunities you will have to sell your product and destination. Delegates who only attend for 1 or 2 days miss out on selling opportunities that you really can't get anywhere else. For a quick view of what Marketplace has for you, go to www.buses.org/marketplace and click on the "2010 Schedule" link to see the Marketplace schedule in detail.   Don't miss out!

Quality Appointments: Profile Sheet

One important item that you should start working on now (if you haven't already) is your profile sheet. This is a one-page (front and back is OK) summary of your product or area. It is indispensable when meeting tour companies during appointments or at other Marketplace events such as seminars. Profile sheets can even be useful after Marketplace during your follow-up sales efforts. Check out sample profile sheets at www.buses.org/marketplace and click on the "Innovative Tools and Resources" link.

At a minimum, your profile sheet should include all the ways to reach you (phone, fax, e mail), short descriptions of what you sell, new features and unique attractions about your products, peak season or best time to visit information, and all the usual information about how group friendly you are. Don't try to include everything under the sun in fine print. Sometimes less is more, and makes a better impression with potential clients! Finally, don't forget to bring plenty of your profile sheets to Marketplace!

Quality Appointments: Research Databases

Perhaps the most important feature of Marketplace is the ability for sellers to reach out to tour companies who visit their area.   For operators, Marketplace offers a unique place to meet sellers who provide services in areas that they want to visit. Now is the time for sellers and operators to begin research -- start working now to identify which contacts you want to make at Marketplace.   One good place to start is your Marketplace Passport (the link for the Passport is at www.buses.org/marketplace). You can research all of the registered companies through the "Research Databases" link in the Passport. Remember that you request appointments (if you are an appointment-taking delegate) from September 15th thru November 24th! You access the "Appointment Request" link through your Marketplace Passport. You may select and edit your appointment requests as many times as you would like until November 24, 2009. (Remember that the appointments are filled based on your registration date and NOT when you make the request). Check out the Appointment Guide for step by step instructions and tips.
 
Make sure your own company's on-line profile is current and up-to-date!

Additional Resources: Just Ask

Finally, you will find that attending Marketplace is truly a unique and rewarding experience.   There are so many activities and opportunities to network, sell and learn that it might seem challenging at first. Please be assured that the Orientation Center industry veterans will make sure you get started on the right foot! Be sure to stop in as soon as you register (or as often as you like) and your week will be rewarding and memorable!

We have created a part of our website just for you, our STAR delegate. Visit the "Orientation Center" link at www.buses.org/marketplace. There you will find the Delegate Packet, Frequently Asked Questions and Appointment Session Information. If you cannot find the answer to your questions call ABA at 800-283-2877. Orientation Subcommittee members will also be giving you a call so use all of the resources we have available to make your business at Marketplace easier!  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  No question is to trivial.  We were all first-timers in the beginning.

See you in the Capital region in January!
 
The Orientation Subcommittee