Online Revealed

Online Revealed Caribbean, the 1st inaugural internet marketing strategy conference being held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this September 17-19, 2008, announces Co-chairs and Advisory Board comprised of travel and tourism industry web marketing experts.

NIAGARA, ONTARIO–(MARKET WIRE)–Jul 8, 2008 — Online Revealed Caribbean, the premier internet travel marketing conference, has introduced its Co-chairs and Advisory Board members for this high profile Caribbean travel industry event. Online Revealed is the first and only conference focusing on hands on, practical online marketing workshops geared toward the ever-changing online market place and what it means to the Caribbean Tourism industry.

Web marketing experts Patricia Brusha, Co-Founder and Principal, A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing and Edward Perry, Senior Director of E-Commerce, WORLDHOTELS, will co-chair the conference focused on educating the Caribbean travel industry to promote online to a worldwide audience. Building off of three successful Conferences in Canada, the content was produced by Brusha with a goal to maximize opportunities for industry professionals to learn to use online channels to market Caribbean tourism products including Hotels, Resorts, Tour Companies and beyond.

“Online Revealed Caribbean represents a one-of-a-kind opportunity for online marketing professionals to partake in a two day forum geared towards enhancing internet marketing strategy for the hospitality industry,” said web marketing expert Edward Perry, Co-chair of the internet travel marketing conference. “The spirit of Online Revealed is in its people, with a genuine interest to teach, learn and develop professional goals and objectives in a spirit of true collaboration. I am very honoured to participate as Co-chair of this prestigious event in its inaugural year in the Caribbean market.”

Members of the Advisory Board include Suzanne Mizgala, Account Manager, Expedia, Henry Woodman, President, ICE Portal, Edward Radonic, Managing Partner, Radonic Rodgers Design + Media and Melinda E. Van Patter, Client Relations Manager, Marketwire.

“We are thrilled to have these travel industry professionals as part of our Online Revealed Caribbean Advisory Board,” said Co-chair Patricia Brusha. “Their expertise in internet marketing strategy is invaluable as we focus on making sure that attendees leave the event with practical applications for successful web strategies.”

The conference will attract approximately 150 delegates from every aspect of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Online Revealed will be bringing its unique format of Keynote Presentations, Panel Discussions and six online marketing workshops to Puerto Rico this September 17-19, 2008 at the Caribe Hilton.

The conference is a must attend for Destination Marketing Organizations, Tourism Operators, Hoteliers, Travel Agencies, Attractions, Media and Marketing Agencies, Programmers, Designers and Tourism Suppliers looking to understand how internet marketing strategy is key to being successful at reaching the millions who are researching and purchasing travel products online.

Conference registration is now officially open. For a limited time early bird registration fees are available at only $299 for full event. Visit www.onlinerevealedcaribbean.com for information and registration.

Applications for speakers with relevant web marketing and online marketing workshop topics are currently being accepted. Contact Patricia Brusha, conference Co-Chair for consideration.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting Sandie Currie, Director, Media Relations and Communications.

About Online Revealed Canada

The Online Revealed tourism marketing conference provides Canadian tourism professionals with unique and innovative online marketing education, with an innovative agenda including educational workshops, keynotes, panel discussions and a new technology showcase. Produced by A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing, www.acoupleofchicks.com and Yahoo! Canada, Online Revealed is an annual conference event in its third year with a mission to educate the travel industry to be successful on the World Wide Web.

About Online Revealed Caribbean

Online Revealed has been successful in creating uniquely Canadian content for over 700 industry professionals over the past three years. The Caribbean tourism region is also a unique market with different opportunities and unique challenges. With a mission to bring hands-on learning and practical applications to tourism professionals, Online Revealed Caribbean has a mandate to bring its unique format and industry experts to assist the Caribbean tourism operators be successful in what has become a truly worldwide and ever changing marketplace. Show your support of this important initiative by becoming an official sponsor of Online Revealed Caribbean Conference. www.onlinerevealed.com

The best part of producing a conference outside of your backyard is all the new friends you meet! We are thrilled with the response and support we are getting from our new friends in the islands! Much of this is due to the formation of the Online Revealed Caribbean Advisory Board!

I am pleased to announce a Board Members are:

Online Revealed Caribbean Co-Chairs
Patricia Brusha
Co-Founder & Principal
A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing

Edward Perry
Senior Director of E-Commerce
WORLDHOTELS

Online Revealed Caribbean Advisory Board
Suzanne Mizgala

Account Manager

Expedia

Henry Woodman
President
IcePortal

EDWARD RADONIC
Managing Partner
radonicrodgersdesign+marketing

Melinda E. Van Patter
Client Relations Manager
Marketwire

Speakers for the Keynotes, Panels and workshops will be announced the first part of July!

Also check out the spetacular Hilton Caribe where the conference will be held!

Spectacular Secluded Beach
The Caribe Hilton also features three lighted tennis courts, Olas Spa and Health Club, a children’s play area and a spectacular secluded beach

Online Revealed is coming to the Caribbean! Not fearing the hurricanes, we are assembling the best online marketing educators to bring our magic formula of hands on learning to the Hilton Caribe in San Juan. Registration is open and we have priced our inaugraul event so afforable, that everyone should come!

Produced by A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing we are currently accepting applications for speakers and sponsors for the event! The good news is we have had a tremendous response and will be finalizing the agenda by the first of July. So if you want to participate , please contact me asap!
pbrusha@acoupleofchicks.com

Online Revealed Canada kicked off the 2008 conference with the introduction of the “Red Paper Clip Challenge!” The trading picked up speed the entire conference as attendees competed for an airfare, hotel and conference registration to the First Online Revealed Carribean Conference this September! I am pleased to announce the winner unamouisly was Trevor Tessier from Travel Alberta! Even though he was not there to tell his story…he wrote it out for Chris Lamb to tell! Here is the winning trade story…

“I am here on behalf of Trevor Tessier of Travel Alberta. Trevor had to leave after the sessions today to make it back on time to teach his classes.

Trevor jumped on the trade challenge right away making a run to the front desk. Aftering pestering Mike for a room upgrade he ended up with acess to the Regency Club on the 18th floor.

His next trade was one he thought everyone at this conference could use and tracked down Patricia of A Couple of Chicks. He aquired an excellent trade receiving a web site diagnostic valued at $500

He then wanted to trade that for an “experience” After buggin a few people at the conference an idea popped into his head. He thought a helicopter tour would be cool. So at the end of the sessions yesterday he called Icefield Helicopter Tours. After rambling on about a paperclip, a conference challenge and a trade, Ralph from Icefield Helicopter Tours didn’t miss a beat abd offered up a Glacic Ice Trip for 4 poeple valued at $900. Pretty Sweet!

He has heard a few trade offers for the tour but decided that he was done trading. Even if he doesn’t win the trip he is happy his red paper clip got him one heck of an anniversary gift for the end of the month!

Oh, and Patricia he is accepting bookings for next year’s conference as the new red paper clip guy!”

Congratulations Trevor!!!!!!!!!

A message from Tom - ORC Guest Blogger

I want to say a big thank-you to the organizing committee, the conference team and all the sponsors for an amazing 3rd Annual Online Revealed Conference. To Travel Alberta, Travelzoo and Niagara Falls thank-you for great networking opportunities. To City of Calgary, Travel Alberta and Hyatt Regency conference team for making us feel welcome and looking after us during our stay. To the speakers, moderators and chairs at the sessions, thank-you for sharing your ideas and giving your time to help us become better at Tourism Internet Marketing. To the co-chairs of the conference, Patricia and Martin thanks for a great job. To the Couple of Chicks, and Online Revealed Canada Team thank-you for a great conference. To the conference delgates, a special thank-you for your attendance, contributions, and networking at this conference.

In closing, I leave you with a picture of the wrapup session at this conference. It is never a dull moment with a Couple of Chicks. At the wrapup, it was announced that next year’s ORC conference will be held in Niagara Falls.

A message from Tom - ORC Guest Blogger

Another great day of presentations, networking and evening reception hosted by Niagara Falls Tourism. It is a shame it has to end but reality clicks in and most of us are at home reflecting back at the conference.

As I look back, here are some of my conference highlights -a) I see the red paperclip and trading at ORC - making the experience real, b) meeting and networking with the top tourism internet professionals in Canada, c) great presentations, learning new ideas and reinforcing old & current trends, d) wonderful evening social & networking receptions hosted and sponsored by Travel Alberta, Travelzoo and Niagara Falls Tourism, e) taking pictures of Calgary Rockies from Calgary Tower and finally e) seeing A Couple of Chicks again.

It has been a great two and half days in Calgary. I encourage you to stay in touch with your old and new contacts and incorporate the new ideas learned into your business.

A Message from Tom - ORC Guest Blogger

Keynote speaker Kyle MacDonald on Day 1 of the ORC conference, did not disappoint, providing the audience with his fascinating story on how he traded on-line one red paperclip for a house in the end in Kipling, Saskatchewan. I managed to get an autograph book - One Red Paperclip and picture with him.

Other highlights of the day included Kerry Munro, Yahoo Canada - Marketing tourism to Canada with Web 2.0, panel discussion Selling Canadian Destinations in a Global Marketplace, and the many great workshops in the four tracks in the afternoon. The day ended with splendid reception hosted by Travelzoo.

A message from Tom - ORC Guest Blogger

Opening night reception by Travel Alberta, featured a young cowboy fiddler player, great food, and lots of discussion on new products and projects. The 3rd annual Online Revealed Canada conference is off to great start. Most of the delgates have arrived and registered. While networking, I met a few people who have lived in Texas for a spell.

A Message from Tom - Guest ORC Blogger

Calgary Tower is a must see and do while in Calgary for this conference. The elevator takes you up 525 feet up to the skylines of the City of Calgary and if you are lucky the Rocky Mountains. The cost to go up is $12.95 and well worth it. A hot tip - the views and pics at night are spectacular - go around 8:30 pm. The last ride up the elevator is 9:30 pm.

A Message from Tom - ORC Guest blogger.

Looks like the weather will be good for the conference. According to the weather network website, the weather looks like this for the week -
Monday - morning Cloudy with 60% showers, high of 6 , afternoon - Cloudy, high 13,
Tuesday - cloudy periods high 16,
Wednesday - Cloudy with sunny periods, high 16,
Thursday - cloudy periods, high 19 and
Friday - Mainly sunny - high 24.

It was snowing here in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, today - forecast 10 cms of snow in the highlands. Strong northeast winds. 3-4 foot waves on the ocean. Driving was treacherous with one car flipped over on its roof outside Baddeck. I made it to Halifax OK and drove slower in wet snow conditions. Hope everyone has a safe trip to airport. See you in Calgary.