Taking QR Codes for a Spin

You've no doubt seen QR codes... you know, those funky looking squares with a bar code inside. They're appearing in newspapers, magazines, even on tradeshow booths. The code links to just about anything you want it to... websites, blogs, marketing material, you name it. QR codes are green, they're hip, and they're growing in popularity in the meetings industry. Our IT experts are encouraging us to use them, so I decided to give them a go, and I thought you might want to learn along with me.

First, I found a blog by Tim Patterson, better known as @tradeshowguy explaining QR Codes. It was very helpful. Tim's blog led me to a search for online companies that generate QR Codes. I tried delivr QR Codes. It was as simple as shortening a URL on bit.ly. You just enter the link, click "generate", and boom. I have a QR code. Here it is:

This code links directly to www.ConventionNewsTV.com.
If you want to make the link... just search the Market on your smart phone for "QR Code Reader", and pick a free one. Once you download the App (I chose QR Droid) you just take a picture of the code, and voila. You're linked. Pretty amazing, actually.

When CNTV works with trade publications to produce video show dailies, we will be incorporating QR codes into the print versions.
The codes will link directly to CNTV videos. It's an amazing way to link print and video. It's also a great way to take people right to promotional videos, and highlights of your event.

You can include QR Codes in emails, post them on your website, and display them at your booth. Mashable recently posted five great uses for QR Codes... Check them out. So, that's a quick summary of QR Codes... how are you planning to use yours??

New Sales Technique

Very few people would argue that selling is difficult. It's tough to get people to write you a check. If you're in sales... you know what I'm talking about. Companies around the country are coming up with creative ideas to improve sales. Well, how about having other people sell for you? Imagine having people you know ask their clients, references, and friends to sell your product. That's the basic theory behind a new plan by ePro Direct.

These guys make mobile apps. The product is called eProMeetingApps (EMA) I've met several people from their company at industry events, and it's a great organization. The apps are user-friendly, and beneficial to show organizers. Today, I got a call from one of the people I've met from the company. Cindy Eddleman asked me to be a partner, and she offered me commission! That's right... she told me about a new plan at ePro Direct where other vendors can become partners to sell the ePro Meeting Apps for a 10% commission. It's called a "Partnership Alliance Program", and basically-- if I send a new client to Cindy, and she closes the deal. I get 10%. Just like that.

I love the out-of-box thinking, and creative approach to sales. It's not without risk, however. There is the possibility of brand confusion-- as I might not represent ePro Direct as well as one of their employees. Well, ePro Direct has thought about that. They are willing to create micro-websites for their partners which include their messaging, branding, and look.

It's a way to expand their network exponentially. If just a handful of partners send new clients to ePro Direct, imagine how their business will grow. To be completely transparent-- I don't see myself making cold calls, or searching for new leads who may be interested in ePro Meeting Apps. But you can bet I'll mention it to CNTV clients who ask about mobile apps. I might even get 10% for the mention. Not a bad return on investment.

Would love to hear your thoughts, and your creative, new sales ideas.

Lessons Learned at PCMA

PCMA's Convening Leaders never disappoints. The annual meeting for the Professional Convention Management Association is always exciting, educational, and fun. That's not to say that everything goes off without a hitch-- but that's not the idea. PCMA is all about being an incubator for new ideas in the meetings industry. The organization tries new ideas, so meeting professionals can learn from their experiments.

This year's theme was "Meetings Deconstructed". They showed attendees what happens behind the scenes. They explained what was going on, and made the meeting transparent. It worked liked a charm. As an attendee, I felt engaged, educated, and entertained.

PCMA also knows how to take risks. They had an idea for a "Learning Lounge", which included six theatres with speakers all happening simultaneously before the general session. That was scheduled to happen at 700am.... in Vegas. Who gets up at 700a in Vegas? Well... apparently, everyone. It was a huge hit. The amount of energy in the Learning Lounge surprised everyone. I have a confession, we were producing PCMA-TV, and thought we would include the Learning Lounge as a small section of the news headlines that day. Boy, were we wrong. The Learning Lounge WAS the news that day. The energy and buzz was indescribable. The place was packed-- at 700a in Vegas! Even more people were watching virtually as part of the live audience on PCMA 365. Fortunately, we were smart enough to shift gears, and tape our entire news headlines from the Learning Lounge, and interview as many people as we possibly could. It's an idea that meeting professionals will no doubt take back to their own events.

I commend PCMA for involving the right people to ensure success-- Kelly Peacy was a driving force behind the Learning Lounge for PCMA. Freeman Creative made it a reality. Jeff Hurt and Dave Lutz from Velvet Chainsaw booked the speakers. When you put people like that in charge... great things are bound to happen. I also commend PCMA for not being scared to take risks, and try new things every year. This was one experiment, that turned into a wildly successful experience.

CNTV at PCMA

The CNTV team is headed to Las Vegas for PCMA's Convening Leaders. We will be producing PCMA-TV to be shown at the annual meeting, emailed to members, and posted online. We are thrilled to be a part of the Learning Lounge this year, and can't wait to bring you highlights from the event. Here's a preview.