Online Revealed

Declining Airlift, Global Recession, Energy Prices and Nervous Consumers make it more necessary than ever to embrace Internet Marketing. The Online Revealed Internet Marketing Conference for Tourism provides real life case studies and straight forward how to approach to reaching active consumers online.

August 20, 2008 — The Puerto Rico Tourism Co. Is leading the way in hiking its marketing budget by $12.3 million in an effort to positively impact the coming winter tourist travel season. Other Caribbean islands will no doubt follow suit as declining airlift, global recession, energy prices and nervous consumers are impacting all the Caribbean islands.

According to PhocusWright over 42% of travellers research and book travel online and this trend only continues to rise. Organizations who have invested time and dollars into effective online marketing strategies are winning more than their fair market share, even in tougher economic conditions. Active consumers are still researching and buying traffic, but differently than they did in the past.

Attendees will learn how to win more their fair share of the global traveller’s dollars by attending the event to be held this September 17-19 at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan.

In addition to practical how to workshops, each attending organization will have the opportunity to receive a personal, one on one, private consultation with industry experts on topics such as website effectiveness, online PR, website design, online marketing, new technology and suggested solutions to impact your presence on the world wide web.

“We realize that marketers are often put in an intimidating position when asked about the effectiveness of their websites or how they spend their online marketing dollars in general,” says Patricia Brusha, Co-Founder of A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing. “Too often conference content is only trends and high level speakers. We are providing these one on one consultations for all attendees so that they can walk away from the conference with real life solutions that can be implemented as soon as they return to the office.”

Over the two day conference, six interactive workshops, two panel discussions, three keynote addresses, a B2B Expo with one on one consultations with industry experts, and a number of social networking events will be available for attendees to be educated on all the newest and most effective strategies to market tourism online.

Delegates at the online tourism marketing conference will also hear industry experts speak about how to get the most return from your website, how to reach new markets even if you are a smaller destination, how to work co-operatively with online travel agencies and how to decide if social media and joining the world of bloggers is right for your travel and tourism organization.

Online Revealed Caribbean comes to Puerto Rico this September 17-19, 2008 at the Caribe Hilton with the support of Caribbean tourism industry professionals from DondeEs, RST, the Caribe Hilton, the Caribbean Consulting Company and the Puerto Rico Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Caribbean travel industry professionals can register for the two day one of a kind opportunity at www.onlinerevealed.com and take advantage of the early bird registration fee of only $299.

Okay, well the title pretty much says it all! Truth be told Alicia is our official blogger at Idea Hatching and I am really our article writer. However occasionaly when I get an inspired moment…or a press relese to add…I gues you can say I am the official blogger of the Online Revealed site!

Now that out of the way let me tell you what I have been working on. Finally after alot of coordinating we now have the Caribbean Agenda updated on the site! We have an incredible line up of speakers and workshop leaders, 17 to be exact and that is all in a day and a half!

Some new things we are trying out with the first Caribbean show, ( and these were based on feedback from our past 3 Canadian Conferences) First all panels will now become 3 experts sharing relevant case studies… Most people find traditional panels pretty boring and have asked for more case studies with recommendations on “how can I do that?”

Second we have a B2B marketplace where you can spend one on one time with the experts. I’ll let you know how that goes.

As we speak, both Steve and Sandie ( our ORC Team) are down in San Juan meeting with a number of the new friends we have who have been helping us promote the conference~! They are also checking out the hotel ( pool and bar) and I expect to post some great pictures upon their return!

Registration is really going good! I am getting excited, we have people coming from Puerto Rico, Barbados, Turks & Caicos and Jamacia! We are getting a nice mix of Hotel Brands, Independants, Tourist authorities and attractions.

If anyone attending the Caribbean even would like to help guest blog , I could use some help!

In the meantime I look forward to seeing everyone in San Juan

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.