Are you Inspired?

When was the last time you were inspired? For me, it was at the Call to Hope breakfast for Shepherd's Hope. This organization provides free medical care for the working poor in Central Florida. With so many people out of work, and without health insurance, the need is greater than ever.

Their annual fundraising breakfast was incredible. Nearly five hundred people gathered at Church Street Station in Orlando to hear testimonials from people who have been helped by the organization. My business partner and I had the pleasure of producing this year's video featuring patients who received care from the volunteer nurses and doctors. You can watch the video by clicking here.

After the video played, the three patients were called up on stage. One of them spoke, and she was amazing. Heloisa Martins moved here from Brazil sixteen years ago. She's been working in Florida the whole time, but can't affrord health insurance. She has breast cancer, and spends her days off in chemotherapy. Heloisa credits Shepherd's Hope with saving her life. She thanked the doctors who found her tumor, the surgeon who performed the biopsy, and the donors who made it possible. Heloisa said she hoped by telling her story, she was able to help just one more person get care at Shepherd's Hope.

I realized that I was surrounded by hundreds of people who volunteer their time to help people like Heloisa. They have helped tens of thousands of patients since Shepherd's Hope was founded more than a decade ago. It's incredibly rewarding, and incredibly inspiring.

The theme for the event was "The Power of One", and they quoted Lily Tomlin who said "I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that, then I realized I was somebody".

Each ONE of us can make a difference.

I encourage you to watch the video, and get involved. If not with Shepherd's Hope, with any organization that reaches out to those who need it most. Isn't it time you were inspired?

Letter from Orlando CVB

April 19, 2010

We have been following the unprecedented events that have forced the closure of European Air space. In our community, we have stranded travelers that have been trying to return home since Wednesday, April 14.

The Orlando/Orange County CVB would like to ask for your cooperation in assisting European travelers, by offering discounts and free admission to any United Kingdom, Irish or Continental European tourists stranded in Florida due to the interruption in international air travel caused by Icelandic volcanic ash.

Please consider offering discounts to these stranded visitors. Your help will go a long way in showing our compassion and customer service.

As proof of travelers being affected, you can ask to see their return flight ticket from Wednesday, April 14, 2010, through Wednesday, April 21, 2010, or until normal flight schedules resume.

Please reply to this communication stating what your hotel / attraction / restaurant can offer. The Orlando/Orange County CVB will communicate the information you provide to European tour operators, airlines and provide a special section on our Web site with the information.

Please send your special offer to brian.martin@orlandocvb.com.

Thank you for your help and assistance.


Warm Regards,

Gary C. Sain
President & CEO
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Ratting Out Negative Co-Workers

A memo to employees at a local Orlando television station is creating quite a stir. The news director at WKMG is planning a seminar for all employees, and asked everyone to do three things.

1. Make a list of what makes BAD television news

2. Name three people who are a positive influence on the newsroom. (He called them "battery chargers")

3. Name three people who are a negative influence on the newsroom. (He called them "battery drainers")

What?!? How exactly is that going to improve morale, and perhaps more importantly, the product? While I'm trying to be slow to judge because the seminar hasn't happened yet, I'm very skeptical. So are other employees. The memo actually got the attention of The Orlando Sentinel, as well as many tv news bloggers.

As a former Executive Producer at the Orlando NBC affiliate, I truly understand the importance of knowing about the "battery drainers". They can suck the life out of a newsroom. The issue needed to be addressed, and the problem needed to be solved. That said, I can't imagine asking fellow colleagues to essentially "rat out" the bad seeds. As a manager, it's my opinion that you should know who the "battery drainers" are because you're listening, and paying attention to what's happening in the newsroom.

A MUCH better approach would be to reward the "battery chargers", and work to make sure their positive influence spreads. Our former news director, Ed Trauschke, used to award a "Win of the Day" in every morning meeting. It was a small acknowledgement, but it went a long way to encouraging positive behavior.

I also can't figure out what good it does to point out what makes BAD television news, without pointing out what makes GREAT television news. Again, by focusing on the positive, the entire feel of the newsroom changes.

What do you think? Is there a time and place to ask employees to name those around them who are a negative influence on your organization? If not... how do you weed out the "battery drainers", and make sure you surround yourself with "battery chargers"? Would love to hear your opinions.

Using Video to Increase Attendance

If you’re a show organizer, it’s possible your entire annual budget is determined by the attendance at your annual event. That’s why it is so important to “fill the seats”, and video can help you do that.

Think about it. Imagine logging onto a website about a beach. You see paragraph after paragraph describing the sand, water and sun. There are even a few great still pictures. You might wish for a day off on the coast, but you aren’t rushing to Expedia to book your tickets.

Now imagine video of that beach scene. You’re blinded by the bright sun, you hear waves crashing on the shore, and you can almost smell the sunscreen. Jimmy Buffett music is playing in the background, and you can hear the voices of people who are having the time of their lives. Suddenly, you’re ready to book the next flight to the Caribbean.

You can put the same convincing power of video to work for you. Promotional videos encourage people to attend your annual event. When other people hear their peers talking about how the event boosted their business, and they see results, they are more likely to attend.

Here are a few tips:

-- Be Specific

Be specific, tell the viewers how this year’s event is different. Let them know what’s available, and how they will personally benefit. In fact, be VERY specific. Who is speaking? What are their topics? What current issues will be discussed? What tactical lessons will an attendee learn? Perhaps most importantly—what makes this year’s meeting different from last year’s. Many potential attendees will have to justify the cost to their managers, so you need to explain exactly what they'll be getting for the money they'll spend.

-- Use Your Assets

If you have video of past events-- excellent. If you don't, a good producer can work with still pictures and graphics. You can click here to see an example for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) that incorporates graphics and testimonials from PCMA members and leaders. You can see an example here from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) that uses graphics, video and voice track. Click here for an example for the National Council of Research Administrators (NCURA) that incorporates a television professional on camera. This association only had still photos of past events, but the music, voice track and graphics bring it to life.

-- Distribution is Key

Once the video is created, distribution is key. It should be on your home page, but take the extra step. Email it to your database. Reach out to them, don’t just expect them to come to you. Also, make sure to include a link to the registration page embedded in the video, so it’s easy for viewers to sign up. Consider posting the attendance-building promotional videos to social media networks. If your members are on Facebook, post it to your page. If they are twitter fans, tweet a link.

Well-produced videos can generate a buzz, and in turn, generate people at your next event. Put the power of video to work for your organization.