August Update

 

Market YOUR Place at Marketplace

It is time to Market YOUR Place at Marketplace 2006.   Marketplace is One Hot Ticket as the must attend show in the industry and we don’t want you to miss out!  Marketplace registration began July 15 and more than 1000 of your competitors have registered including 300 Buyers.
Marketplace is the best return on investment for your membership dues.  The Marketplace schedule is developed and organized by members like you, with a goal of maximizing the networking opportunities between Buyers, Sellers and Associates.   ABA is the best show for networking, education, and business appointments – and everything in between!  Need help leveraging support to attend Marketplace, click here.
 
If you are serious about building your business traffic and profits while growing your share of the group market, Marketplace is the one meeting you can’t afford to miss.
 
We have a spectacular week planned, filled with southern hospitality.  Marketplace opens on Friday, February 3 and concludes with a fantastic evening event on Wednesday evening, February 8.  Hotel space fills up early, so register now. 
 

Plan to take your journey to Nashville so YOUR business can be Center Stage.  Be a part of the more than $35 million in motorcoach group business that is generated during Marketplace week alone!  If you need additional information about Marketplace, please do not hesitate to contact our Meetings Department at (800) 283-2877, meetingsdept@buses.org or www.buses.org/marketplace.

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Marketplace's HOT Ticket Program

Marketplace – It’s One HOT Ticket! We would like to extend some great southern hospitality monthly to one lucky registered delegate. Each month, every registered delegate will be eligible for a drawing for an exciting prize. Register early for more chances to win. Prizes are non-transferable. Winners will be contacted and posted on the Marketplace website.

August's Hot Ticket - An exclusive opportunity for an exclusive night at the Opry.  If you are a registered delegate before the end of August you will have a chance to win 4 reserved seats for the private performance of the Grand Ole Opry sponsored by the Grand Ole Opry.  So sit back and enjoy the music that made Music City.

 

July’s Hot Ticket Winner- Marlee Iverson, Montana Tourism Division will be in the middle of the dazzling talent and legends of music and entertainment of Branson. She won the July Hot Ticket for one reserved luncheon table for Tuesday’s All-Delegate Lunch sponsored by Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB.

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Marketplace Microphone: Your Chance to Keep Marketplace Delegate-driven

Our open Networking Floor, which debuted in Chicago, was a hit.  The Floor is open to all delegates all of the time, and gives you another opportunity to Marketplace YOUR PLACE at Marketplace.  Let us know what additions or changes you would like to see on the Networking Floor in Nashville.   E-mail us at meetingsdept@buses.org by August 26, 2005.

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Marketplace Tool: A Resource to Make Your Marketplace Experience

Our Marketplace Passports are available today!  Manage your Marketplace experience by utilizing your personal Marketplace Passport:

  • Update your registration information
  • Update your company profile
  • Send messages to other registered delegates via the Message Center
  • Research Buyers and Sellers using the interactive databases (available   Oct. 1)
  • Make your appointment requests (available Oct. 24)
  • View your appointment schedule (available Jan. 13)
  • Manage your appointment schedule manually requesting and accepting appointment (available January 13)

To access your Marketplace Passport register for Marketplace and receive your delegate number and password to access this amazing tool. 

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Southern Hospitality: Marketplace General Information

Important Dates:

  • July 15: Registration Materials Available/Marketplace Housing Opened
  • August 3: Marketplace Passport On-Line
  • October 1: Research Database On-Line/Buyer Early Bird Deadline
  • October 24: Appointment Requests On-Line/Deadline for Refunds
  • January 9: Appointment Requests Due
  • January 13: Appointments Scheduled/ Manual Appointment Scheduling Available             
  • January 30: Manual Scheduling Closed
  • February 3: Marketplace Begins/Manual Appointment Scheduling Available
  • February 8: Marketplace Concludes/Business Follow Up Begins

 

Housing

So that you get a good night’s sleep before a busy Marketplace day, we have two host hotel for Marketplace 2006.  Housing forms were in the registration mailing and available on-line.

Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel and Conference Center

2800 Opryland Drive

Nashville, TN   37214

  • Buyer Rate: $95 plus $5 per room per day resort fee.
  • Seller Rate: $159 plus $5 per room per day resort fee.

Radisson Hotel at Opryland

2401 Music Valley Drive

Nashville Tennessee 37214

  • Buyer Rate: $89.
  • Seller Rate: $99.
*Airport and Shuttle transportation will be available from the Radisson

 

Sponsorships:

Looking for a way to get noticed at Marketplace?  Contact us if you are interested in our many and varied exciting sponsorship opportunities.

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Quality Appointments: Caucus

 

Want to know how to make the most of your quality appointments.  Attending your state/provincial caucus at Marketplace is a excellent way to make additional contacts.   Caucuses will be held after the Sunday morning DMO appointment session.  This is a great source for sales leads from your Destination Marketing Organizations. Find out which Buyers are planning a trip to your area so you can make the most of your Mating and Networking session on Monday.  Your Marketplace caucus is one opportunity to make your destination the headliner of Marketplace.

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Limitless Networking: Nashville Fun Fact

 

Did you know... In 1941, Nashville was granted the first FM license in the United States .  Music City then became the first to enjoy static-free radio.

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Professional Education: "Your Passport to STARdom"

 

ABA is proud to offer "Passport to STARdom", a top-rated program that helps first-time attendees prepare for the Marketplace week.  You'll learn tricks of the trade, strategies for a successful Marketplace and how to best present your organization all while making good friends and contacts in the ABA family.  Take advantage of this great opportunity by arriving at the beginning of the Marketplace week and spending time in the Orientation Center.

 

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