The new trade show for the Religious Conference Management Association’s Emerge conference will feature a blend of the traditional format and the addition of a hosted-buyer program for pre-scheduled appointments between planners and suppliers.
Each participant in the hosted-buyer program will have access to a personal appointment calendar online. The calendar will list 16 appointment slots, eight on each day of the event. Participants will use the online system to search for those with whom they want to meet, selecting specific search criteria to refine their choices and make the best selections for their appointments.
Once buyers determine their ideal supplier matches, they'll have an opportunity to contact them through the online portal to request an appointment. If the selected supplier is available at the requested time, the appointment will be confirmed.
Between now and the annual meeting, participants will be responsible for filling the slots on their calendars and confirming their appointments. The software will not make selections, but will facilitate the process to ensure that participants connect with the people they are most interested in meeting.
Meeting planners participating in the hosted-buyer program will be required to fill all 16 appointments (eight per day).
Meeting planners who http://s4.goeshow.com/rcma/annual/2013/attendee_faqs.cfm qualify as hosted buyers receive complimentary conference registration, accommodations, and airfare.
The scheduling process is set to begin in mid-December. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days. For more on the conference, go to the Emerge Web site.