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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
