Reasons why you want me as your Business Partner

About Lauralee Shapiro

Lauralee Shapiro, CMPGlobal Account Executive

10+ years in hotel convention sales 5+ years in Food and Beverage Management 4 years sales and operations for DMC services 2011 earned Certified Meeting Professional designation Extensive Knowledge of global destinations and hotel venues Provides in-depth experience in contract negotiations Frontline awareness of industry trends, news and products Very dedicated and committed to save time and money for our customers

“ConferenceDirect has built its Brand as the Leader in outsourced meeting solutions through the value we provide to our customers and the relationships we maintain with our Partners. We do this through our Associates whom are proven leaders in the Hospitality Industry.”

Services Provided

• Site Selection & Contract Negotiation

• Conference Management

• Housing Management

• Registration Services

• Strategic Meeting Management

Site Selection & Contract Negotiation

Because we book thousands of events worldwide each year, we’ve built solid international industry relationships. These partnerships are most beneficial when it comes time to negotiate. And because hotels compensate us directly, there is no cost to you for these services.

• Single Point of Contact• Site Inspection Assistance• Comprehensive Analysis• Savvy Negotiators• Worldwide Representation• Extensive Product Knowledge

Conference, Special Event & Incentive Program Management

ConferenceDirect’s extensive portfolio of professional management services allows our client organizations the peace of mind in knowing that ConferenceDirect is well positioned to effectively manage the most simplistic programs as well as the most complex city-wide conventions.

• Vast Knowledge & Industry Expertise• The Industry’s Most Flexible & Customized Management• Efficiency and Cost Savings• Solid Execution

Convenience | Experience | Cost-Effectiveness | Teamwork | Peace of Mind

Conference, Special Event & Incentive Program Management

Meeting Your Project Management Needs with a Wide Array of Services:

• Venue Management• Planning, Logistics & Transportation• Food & Beverage Coordination & Price Negotiation• Audio Visual Coordination & Price Negotiation• Financial & Budget Management• Coordination of Destination Management Details• Education, Meeting Design, A/V & Business Theater Production• Exhibit Management • WiFi and Internet Usage Analysis, Coordination & Price Negotiation• Mobile App Technology• On-site Management & Post Show Follow Up

Housing ManagementOur team is here to help you meet your mark at each hotel with effective room block management. We will develop a strategy to fit your individual needs. Real-time, accurate reporting puts you at ease that there will be no surprises. Let us help you reduce slippage and avoid attrition by connecting Housing with Registration.

• Online Reservations• Real-Time Information• Dedicated Housing Managers• Direct Link to Event Registration• On-Site Room Block Audit Service• Event-Specific & Customizable Reservation Websites• Real –Time & Scheduled Reports• Electronic Transfers

Registration ServicesCreate a first-class impression with your attendees through a quality registration experience. ConferenceDirect knows the right technology to make your meeting attendee management simple and flexible. From standard registrations to 100% customized attendee management software, we’re here for you.

• Knowledgeable Staff• Attendee Communication • Online Financial Processing• Customized Software• Direct Connect to Event Mobile App Technology

Registration Services

Services at-a glance:

• Knowledgeable Staff• Customized Meeting Website• Flexible & Intuitive Back Office/Management System• Customized Registration Software• Creative Services• On-Site Registration Services • Online Financial Processing• Customized Software

ConferenceDirect Difference

1. Pre-negotiated Standardized Contracts2. Cost Savings Reports3. Extensive Buying Intelligence4. Broad Range of Hotel Brands5. Comprehensive Site Selection Analysis6. Customer History Form

ConferenceDirect Experience

We work with hundreds of hotels, booking thousands of events each year, building

relationships to better serve you.

Strength in Numbers

9,827 Meetings Booked December 2014

(23% increase over 2013)

3,637,219 Room Nights Booked December 2014

(37% increase over 2013)

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Room Nights Booked by Hotel Brand – December 2014

Marriott 24.9%

Hilton 19.6%

Independent 18.0%

Starwood 12.0%

Hyatt 10.6%

InterContinental 6.2%

Omni 2.9%

FRHI 1.2%

Wyndham 1.0%

Disney 0.9%

Loews 0.6%

RitzCarlton 0.6%

ConferenceDirect ExperienceYour conference or meeting is way too important to leave anything to chance. When you work with ConferenceDirect, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with partnering with highly seasoned professionals.• 325+ Professional Associates

• Average 12+ Years Industry Experience• On-going Training & Industry Education• Well Connected Within the Industry

• Unparalleled Training• New Hire Training – CD 101• CD University• SuperTraining• Sales Certification Program – CDS• Conference Management Certification Program - CCM

ConferenceDirect ExperienceYour conference or meeting is way too important to leave anything to chance. When you work with ConferenceDirect, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with partnering with highly seasoned professionals.• Experienced Management Team

• Brian D. Stevens, President & CEO• Brian Richey, Executive Vice President• Jerry Horan, Chief Operating Officer• Lisa Messina, Chief Marketing Officer• Dave Scypinski, Senior Vice President• Bob Dees, Vice President and Team Director• Jason Bond , Vice President Conference Management • Adam M. Briggs, Vice President Housing & Registration

• Influential Advisory Board

Industry Resource & Consultation

• IndustryInsights• MeetingMentor Magazine• CDX

ConferenceDirect Customer Testimonials

“We are dedicated to saving our customers time and money by providing the most technologically advanced and professional meeting planning services in the industry. Our goal is to exceed your expectations at every point of contact. We want to be your partner in success.”

Brian D. Stevens

ConferenceDirect Customers

ConferenceDirect’s customers represent every industry and include both corporations and associations from around the globe. We work with groups of all sizes, helping them to arrange and manage events for 25 to 45,000, on a local, state, regional, national or international level.

Our Customers Say it Best…In Their Own Words

“We are dedicated to saving our customers time and money by providing the most technologically advanced and professional meeting planning services in the industry. Our goal is to exceed your expectations at every point of contact. We want to be your partner in success.”

Brian D. Stevens

My Customers Say it Best…In Their Own Words

“Lauralee was a tremendous help with the organization and the execution of our sales training program. She showed commitment to winning the bid by making an offer I absolutely couldn't refuse, went above and beyond to work within our budget, and turned it around in record time. Lauralee is an excellent communicator who keeps you looped in every step of the way.” AppSense

“We recently hired Lauralee to assist us on-site with our Annual Conference at the Orlando World Center Marriott with almost 900 attendees. Lauralee is the best! She is very professional and an expert Meeting Planner. It was such a relief to have her help. Lauralee didn't need any direction, she knew exactly what to do and took care of things before I even knew about them. I highly recommend Lauralee and we hope we can work with her again very soon!” PBS (Public Broadcasting System)

“With her experience and relationship with Conference Direct, Lauralee is able to provide the best travel/meeting arrangements for any organization at any size. She is able negotiate the best rate with the most concessions on behalf of the organization.” State Farm Insurance 

My Customers Say it Best…In Their Own Words

“I can only sing the highest praises of Lauralee Shapiro and her services. Over the past year and half I have worked closely with her on several major events which were held at some of the finest resorts in the United States. 

Not only has she negotiated excellent terms for our contracts but she has initiated a re-visitation of these contracts as the economic climate has shifted and negotiated some wonderful concessions which have been to my group’s benefit. As well as this she has proven to be a wonderful teacher to me in some areas that I was less familiar with and I know I can always rely on her to put her client first. 

When I was in need of recommendations for other services in the area we were holding our meetings she provided me with excellent, professional resources, better than what some resorts had to offer us. 

Our group is a Forum made up of several different companies across the United States and Canada. Our stewardship of the group will pass on to another member company in a few years but before we pass the baton, we have invited Lauralee to attend our meeting so we can pass her wonderful services along to the next event planner for our group.” HIF, Hospital Insurance Forum

Meeting Planning Made Simple

Lauralee Shapiro, CMPGlobal Account Executive

ConferenceDirectPhone: 407-405-0138

Lauralee.Shapiro@conferencedirect.com

Meeting Planning Made Simple

Thank You

We Promise To Save You Time and Moneywww.conferencedirect.com