XS2Event’s Post

I am delighted to announce that I have begun a new role as Key Account Manager for Bundl Bundl is a partnership platform that PREDICTS the wider value an event creates and CAPTURES it through the bundling together of Live Event tickets with Hotel stays. It then SHARES the additional value with partners involved, while creating a broader fan experience. Some Key Highlights below :- Bundl is a partnership platform that connects Rights Holders, Ticket Agents and Hotels. Helping you take full advantage of the wider value an event creates. Firstly we PREDICT the true value of the EVENT EFFECT for your business through intelligent data modelling. We then offer a solution that Bundls event tickets with hotel stays into one seamless offering. It means the partners can share the value through the "event effect" and in turn offer a more comprehensive fan experience. Hotels benefit by being part of the marketing mix without any additional investment from their side and are able to lock down demand for hotel rooms early leading to guaranteed business. Bundl customers are also "excitement customers" who are hyped for the event and typically spend more than corporate or transient customers on F&B. Rights holders benefit by bundling tickets with hotels to open up a new revenue stream. Through data insights they can also predict and understand the true value their event creates whilst also having more control over the booking process ensuring real value for fans while guaranteeing financial protection. Ticketing Agents benefit by earning more from the tickets they sell. They are also able to offer a wider fan experience and open up new business opportunities through flexible partnership solutions. Fans benefit by having one touch point to book their entire experience with 100% financial protection and flexible ticket and accommodation bundling options. For more information or a demo on the platform feel free to drop me a line, we would love to hear from you! 

Boosting Revenue Through Events and Sponsorships in the Travel Industry. Events and sponsorships are becoming vital tools for travel companies to drive sales and enhance brand visibility. In 2025, this will play a pivotal role in generating revenue and fostering growth. How Events Drive Revenue; Hosting or participating in travel expos, destination showcases, or corporate networking events allows travel companies to: ➡️ Engage directly with potential clients and showcase unique offerings. ➡️ Build trust through personalized solutions and consultations. ➡️ Convert leads into loyal customers via immersive experiences like virtual destination tours. Strategic Sponsorship Benefits Sponsoring niche events—such as adventure expos or wellness retreats—enables travel companies to: ➡️ Enhance Brand Visibility: Stand out in competitive markets. ➡️ Target Specific Audiences: Reach customers aligned with their services. ➡️ Build Credibility: Strengthen their reputation in the industry. In 2025, events and sponsorships will; 1️⃣ Drive experiential marketing, creating deeper customer connections. 2️⃣ Strengthen partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tourism boards. 3️⃣ Build a recurring revenue stream through long-term customer loyalty. Key Areas to Focus On To maximize ROI from events and sponsorships, travel companies should: *️⃣ Leverage Data: Plan events that align with target customer preferences. *️⃣ Innovate: Use technology like VR and gamification to engage audiences. *️⃣ Partner Smartly: Collaborate with complementary brands to share costs and expand reach. *️⃣ Measure ROI: Track lead conversions and sales growth effectively. By strategically leveraging events and sponsorships, travel companies can boost sales, increase visibility, and secure long-term success. What are your thoughts on this approach? Let’s discuss it! #TravelIndustry #EventMarketing #RevenueGrowth #FutureOfTravel #Travelworld

Marketing Destinations: Event Hubs Las Vegas is not just about gambling but has become a major event hub – for business, entertainment and sports events - it hosts one of the F1 races. And, with the Las Vegas Sphere, is at the forefront of immersive events and marketing. Attendees to events there, get the Vegas vibe. Las Vegas is one of the locations that is at the cutting edge of the event (experiential) industry and marketing. It has plenty of large and small event venues to cater to all types of events. Vegas is not just an event location/destination but is a marketing destination. It’s a destination where marketers can better promote their products and services. What are other cities that can hold their own against Las Vegas? Events are great for the economy. Events, especially major events, bring in travellers which boost the tourism and hospitality industries. Event destinations are valuable for any city’s economy. City authorities that understand this, can help event marketers by making their cities more attractive to them. As an event marketer, you may not have the budget for hosting events in Vegas. But there may be local areas in your city that have a good vibe for entertainment and business venues where you can consider hosting your events. Read my earlier article: ‘Brand Matters’. What could your city do to make it more attractive to event marketers? Read more: https://lnkd.in/ddR_zJVA #marketingdestinations #eventhubs #eventmarketing #events #venues #shareyaarnow #shareyaar

Have a read of the Australian Leisure Management feature on the TixSuite Ticketing Sentiment Report which has a great summary of the results found. "Eventfinda TixSuite asked, “what gripes do Australians have with ticketing for live events?” ‘Junk’ fees – fees that are mandatory during the purchase of tickets, but whose purpose isn’t disclosed – are a primary source of annoyance and confusion. Only 40% of Australians say they understand the various fees and charges around tickets, and what they are for. More transparency around these fees would significantly help the problem though. 72% of Aussies ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ that they’d be more accepting of ticketing fees if there was more transparency around why they were charged... Eventfinda TixSuite Chief Executive, James McGlinn noted, “It is clear that Aussies continue to value experiences very highly, with many continuing to spend money on attending live events even as the cost of living continues to rise. They also continue to attend events despite many having a range of grievances with the way ticketing is done in Australia, and unsurprisingly we’ve found that the majority would like more transparency from ticketing providers when it comes to the fees attached to most live event tickets “This research confirms our thoughts that ticketing in Australia is broken and ripe for disruption, with trust in ticketing providers running low. Not only does the current model frustrate ticket purchasers, but also presents issues for promoters and venues running events. Not only are they forced to pass on per-ticket fees to ticket purchasers, but they also endure cashflow issues with ticketing providers holding cash from sales until after their event, which increases the risk events will be cancelled, so ticket buyers miss out.” #Ticketing #TicketingFees #AustralianEvents #AustralianFestivals #Festivals #EventsIndustry #Ticketing #SaaSTicketing #SaaS #TicketingTech

How to Find MICE Organizers in Ho Chi Minh City for Business Travelers Finding the right MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) organizers in Ho Chi Minh City is essential for international business travelers. Here’s how to locate reliable service providers: 1. Online Research Begin by searching online for MICE organizers in Ho Chi Minh City. Websites like LinkedIn, Eventbrite, and local business directories list reputable companies specializing in event planning. Focus on those with experience handling international clients and large-scale events. 2. Local Business Associations Reach out to organizations like the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) or the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham). These associations often have directories of trusted MICE providers and can offer recommendations. 3. Hotels and Convention Centers Luxury hotels and convention centers, such as the InterContinental Saigon or Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), often have in-house event planning teams. Contact these venues for their MICE services or ask for referrals to external organizers they frequently collaborate with. 4. Professional Networks Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with MICE professionals in Vietnam. Join relevant groups or forums where industry experts share insights. Networking here can lead to finding organizers who understand the needs of international clients. 5. Local Events and Trade Shows Attend local trade shows, expos, or networking events in Ho Chi Minh City. These events often feature MICE providers, giving you the chance to meet organizers, discuss your requirements, and evaluate their capabilities in person. 6. Recommendations from Colleagues or Partners Ask colleagues or business partners who have organized events in Ho Chi Minh City for their recommendations. First-hand experiences from trusted sources can lead you to reliable organizers. 7. Evaluate Experience and Portfolio Review the portfolios of potential organizers to ensure they have experience with international events and a strong understanding of cultural nuances. This ensures they can cater to the specific needs of foreign delegates. 8. Request Proposals and Quotes Send a detailed brief of your event to selected MICE organizers. Request proposals and quotes to compare services, costs, and added value. Look for organizers who are responsive, flexible, and offer a comprehensive service package. Following these steps will help you find a qualified MICE organizer in Ho Chi Minh City, ensuring your business trip is both productive and enjoyable.

Great point. It also highlights why much of the online event content promotion focusses on cost-saving benefits and time impact. For me, this underscores that it isn't enough to rely on the location and venue to get bottoms on seats. The number one advantage of live events over virtual for attendees is the human connection and reconnection they offer. Show true value by highlighting the experience and these elements. Make your event more accessible by negotiating costs down and avoiding high-ticket destinations that are pricey due to high demand. There are many other amazing places that can provide ultimate event excellence. There are many options that can be included in the programme to maximise connection, with or without the use of tech. These activities ensure that attendees leave with meaningful connections and memorable experiences. #BeUnforgettable #LookUpBeHuman #EPICEvents #HumanConnection #manifestyourmagic #PlanetofEvents

Hidden terms and conditions and unclear additional fees top a list of frustrations event buyers have when considering venue offers and incentives. Our latest research conducted in partnership with The Delegate Wranglers® reveals powerful insights into booking behaviours and what it is exactly that event buyers are looking for when #venue finding.

Assumptions kill revenue. It happens every day in the world of events and hospitality. This was the case when my business partner Toby Heelis and I first met back in 2013. Toby was the Marketing Director for a City of London events venue, and I was the Global Supply Chain Director for a large event agency. Our team of 30 event venue experts were responsible for booking meetings & events on behalf of corporate clients, requiring a deep understanding of hotels & venues across the world. THE PROBLEM In 12-months, our agency sent 60+ potential event enquiries to Toby’s venue, but none of them had converted into any business. Toby found me via LinkedIn, informed me of the statistic and said “This is a total waste of time for everybody”.  I agreed. “What can we do about it?” Toby asked. THE ASSUMPTION CAUSING THE ISSUE Unlike hotels, event venues don’t have a star rating system, so — without specialist knowledge — there can be a mismatch in terms of expectations. Many event venue rates were pitched at the equivalent rate of a 3-star or lower 4-star hotel. Toby’s venue was different. They were pitched more in the high 4-star to low 5-star hotel range. Our teams were unfamiliar with the venue and based their understanding & perceptions of it’s market position based upon the website. SOLVING LOW CONVERSION It was largely a case of the venue needing to educate the market, to tell stories and showcase it’s facilities digitally, enabling planners to understand market position. Within only a few months, the changes we worked on together had a positive impact, with less wasted time on both sides, and revenue generated into the venue. Toby no longer needed to wear a hard hat when going to see his boss 😂 Are your venue marketing materials creating the right perception and market positioning?  We’d be happy to make a complimentary assessment for you. #Marketing #eventvenues #hotels #conversion

LasoXP lets you automatically send contextually relevant, personalized messages to all your guests from the moment they book. 💬 Spa lovers, golf enthusiasts, platinum members, business travelers – now you can personalize messages based on guests’ preferences and past activity so that everyone gets exactly what they’re looking for.  📲 Here are some examples of the precision marketing you can achieve with LasoXP automated messaging campaigns: ✅ Send invitations to events held at your hotel based on guests' past attendance ✅ Send tailored family-friendly recommendations to checked-in families ✅ Send curated wellness offerings to guests who booked SPA  ✅ Create exclusive packages for your loyalty program members By framing offers as value adds and sending them to the right guest at the right time, you'll positively impact revenue while enriching #guestexperience. Learn more 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/dTCFiC_a #hotelmarketing #hoteltechnology #guestengagement #guestactivation

As always, Julius Solaris is spot-on with his observations. With many of our clients, the early bird discount is losing its effectiveness. Beyond the "full cost of attending," we are seeing an impact of when it will hit financial statements. Each organization has a different fiscal year in the non-profit space, and depending on those dates, the calendar will determine the need to spend or save. It could be reserving the hotel and booking airfare at the end of the fiscal year and then registering at the start of the year. Time is also a factor. You know the saying "time is money," so that's an expense we need to account for with our attendees too. It needs to be worth their while to attend... more than money, but that's a whole other discussion beyond dollars and cents. #eventprofs #thoughtleadership #meetingprofs #eventstrategy #thirdparty #partnerinplanning