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

ISAC Conference Q & A

Kelsey Sebern, Meeting/Event Administrator

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

Background

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.

Concerns

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

Coffee

Coffee Sponsorships Cut costs other places

Possible Solutions

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

Marriott Hotel Rooms

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.

Solution

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).

Overflow Hotel Rooms

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.

Solution

Problem: Marriott charges for WIFI in the guest rooms.

Charges for Marriott WIFI

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.

Solution

Problem: Valet Service is very slow on check-out day

At times taking over an hour and the valet bellman were not very friendly.

Valet Services at Marriott

Communication with Marriott staff. I have been assured by the Marriott that this

will be addressed with their internal staffing for future conferences.

Solution

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

Educational Seminars

Motivational or political leaders I am always taking speaker and topic

suggestions that you think would be great.

Solution

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

Fall School Date Change

LOTS of reasons- See handout on ISAC Website

Legislative Process Cost Dates Why August? Influencing Candidates

Why?

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.

Final Thoughts

Kelsey Sebern Meeting/Event Administrator

515.369.7013 ksebern@iowacounties.org

Questions/Suggestions?