Events marketing to embrace direct selling

Tuesday 12th of February 2008

The events marketing industry is to make greater use of direct selling and its ensuing benefits.

That is according to Hugo Slimbrouck of Ovation Brussels, who has asserted that destination management companies (DNCs) can improve the margins and volume of their services by cutting out the middle man, reports Meetpie.

Speaking at the Fourth International Meetings & Incentives Conference (IMIC) in Athens, the Brussels-based destination manager explained: "Around 40 per cent of our enquiries are now coming direct from corporate buyers and the figure is growing.

"These days you need to respond to change - and quickly. But one thing hasn't changed: the first supplier to respond to an enquiry will probably get the business."

The two-day IMIC conference allowed hosted buyers to meet with suppliers from Greece.

Bob Vitagliano of the iSITE Foundation added: "You need much more talent to survive in our industry than we used to - now we have to be like physicians. We have to continue to learn to stay current. We have to be ready for the change that is coming - whether we have a recession coming or not, you will need to be ready for what's coming next."