Addressing Concerns and Implementing Solutions for Successful ISAC Conferences

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Kelsey Sebern, an experienced Meeting/Event Administrator, discusses common concerns such as coffee shortages and Marriott hotel room availability at ISAC conferences. She offers practical solutions like seeking sponsorships for coffee, creating a waiting list for Marriott rooms, and optimizing overflow hotel properties to ensure a seamless conference experience. Through strategic planning and proactive measures, ISAC aims to enhance attendee satisfaction and conference efficiency.

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ISAC Conference Q & A Kelsey Sebern, Meeting/Event Administrator

Background Grew up in Manilla, Iowa Graduated College at Iowa State University with Bachelors Degree in Advertising After college, took a job as an intern in the Sales Office at Embassy Suites Downtown Convention Services Manager Executive Meetings Manager Association Sales Manager

Concerns In the past, there have been some reoccurring concerns with ISAC conferences. I will now go through them and hopefully will be able to provide solutions to these concerns.

Coffee Problem: We all know that Coffee is in short supply at ISAC conferences. Why? Coffee is expensive. Coffee costs $38 (+ Service Charge & Sales Tax) bringing the cost per gallon = $49.94 1 gallon of coffee = around 10 12 cups or $4.54 per cup In order to make coffee available all day, it would cost us $1,000 s of dollars

Possible Solutions Coffee Sponsorships Cut costs other places

Marriott Hotel Rooms Problem: Marriott hotel rooms are always sold out in matter of minutes after housing opens Problem: Members cancel hotel rooms at the Marriott at the last minute so the Marriott never sells out. Therefore, we cannot increase the amount of rooms that are available

Solution Waiting List Once the Marriott fills up, there will be a prompt on the housing website to contact me. I will put you on a waiting list. I will then check with the Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau twice a week to see if any hotel rooms have opened. If rooms are available I will send an email to the waiting list. Rooms will be available on a first come, first serve basis through the housing website. We are hopeful that this increase in room reservations will allow us to book more rooms in the future. Please remember to book a room at one of the overflow properties as the waiting list is not a guarantee that you will get into the Marriott.

Overflow Hotel Rooms Problem: ISAC secures overflow properties that do not end up getting much use. Its hard to negotiate great rates for conferences when we don t use our overflow hotel properties (Holiday Inn and Embassy Suites).

Solution Incentives with these properties Embassy Suites will be offering DOUBLE Hilton Honors Points to all members. Holiday Inn option to raise the guestroom rate $5 and include a continental breakfast. Also, the guestrooms will be renovated in 2015, so they will have all new guestrooms in 2016.

Charges for Marriott WIFI Problem: Marriott charges for WIFI in the guest rooms.

Solution Sign up to become a Marriott Rewards Member and you will receive complimentary WIFI during your stay. I will send out resources that guide you through this process so you can all take advantage of this.

Valet Services at Marriott Problem: Valet Service is very slow on check-out day At times taking over an hour and the valet bellman were not very friendly.

Solution Communication with Marriott staff. I have been assured by the Marriott that this will be addressed with their internal staffing for future conferences.

Educational Seminars Problem: Educational Seminar topics haven't been worth while recently.

Solution Motivational or political leaders I am always taking speaker and topic suggestions that you think would be great.

Fall School Date Change In 2017, the ISAC Fall School of Instruction will be given a new date and name The ISAC Annual Conference: August 23 25, 2017 The ISAC Spring School will now be the ISAC Legislative Conference: March 14 16, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center

Why? LOTS of reasons- See handout on ISAC Website Legislative Process Cost Dates Why August? Influencing Candidates

Final Thoughts I am excited to take on this position and try to tackle these concerns. I want to make the improvements needed so that every year our conferences keep getting better and better. In order to do this, I will need your help. Please send me any feedback you have so that I can be aware of what you like and dislike. We can work together to make ISAC conferences a success.