We want our delegates to feel as prepared as possible for our events so that they can get the most benefits possible out of our events. The following Helpful Hints will assist you in navigating this year’s OMCA Marketplace.
Proper Preparation
The MyOMCA Event Portal
This Event Portal is your #1 tool throughout the event. Find the link to the MyOMCA event portal and details on how to update your profile and resources at https://www.omca.com/events/marketplace/my-omca-portal
Buyer Profile Form
In the MyOMCA Portal, it is important to review your entire profile to ensure that it is thorough and accurate. The more details you include, the better sellers can prepare for their appointment with you and helps mitigate the chances of meeting with sellers who do not have products relevant to your business. This is the most important tool that sellers use in selecting appointments.
Know Before You Go Webinar – October 31st
On October 31st at 11:00 am EST, OMCA is hosting an online session for all delegates with details of everything you need to know for your appointments and what to expect from the conference. Register here to attend that session.
What You Should Bring to Marketplace
We recommend bringing with you an ample supply of business cards and business casual attire. The conference is business casual while the evening events are suitable for more casual attire (jeans are acceptable).
Online Appointment Scheduling
- Know Your Timeline
Keep an eye on the important dates when it comes to creating an effective appointment schedule. If you miss your chance to request appointments, it will have a drastic negative effect on the quality of appointments in your final schedule.- October 7th to 18th: Appointment Selection is open
- October 28th: Schedules are released, and you will have the opportunity to make additional manual requests to fill available appointment slots.
- Review/Request Early and Often
Requesting appointments will mark you on the seller’s portal as “Someone Who Requested Me”, which makes it easier for the seller to know that you are interested in their product. NOTE: Mutual requests are always scheduled with first priority. Be sure to check back in the portal often to see if there are new sellers registered or new requests for you that could be reciprocated. - Breaks
All buyers receive a double appointment break for every Marketplace Session. These breaks can be self-scheduled through the appointment selection system between October 7th and October 18th. If no breaks are selected, the algorithm will select the break times for you.
Onsite Appointments
- Appointments Schedules are Available Online Only
On October 28th, your appointment schedules can be found online through the MyOMCA Event Portal and the OMCA Marketplace Mobile App. - Two Days of 8-Minute Appointments
Each of your appointments is a total of eight (8) minutes in length, including travel time. Appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. on both days. All sellers will have their appointments on both days. - Buyers Sit and Sellers Move
This means that during Marketplace, buyers will remain seated in their booths, and the sellers will move from one appointment to the next.
Be courteous to every seller you meet with, as they have taken the time to prepare a presentation for you. If you have a seller on your appointment schedule who doesn’t seem to have product relevant to your business, let them know as early as possible that you wish to cancel the appointment and explain why. Happy sellers are what make this Marketplace possible.
Marketplace Appointment Etiquette
- Start and finish the appointment on time
- Don’t keep the next appointment waiting
- If the conversation needs more than 8 minutes, make a plan to continue it outside of the appointment
- Don’t cancel last minute
- Keep cell phones on silent
- Don’t text or email during an appointment. If you need to use your phone for something related to the appointment, explain what you are doing.
- Maintain professional and attentive body language
Use the Mobile App to Access and Adjust Appointments
The Marketplace Mobile App (available for download on October 28th) is the only version of your schedule that OMCA will provide onsite. If you wish, you may print your schedule from the MyOMCA portal in advance however it will not reflect changes made onsite through the mobile app’s manual scheduling.
Education Sessions
OMCA has curated a tour operator afternoon with education sessions, updates and a mini-marketplace to highlight new product. These sessions take place on Monday from 12 pm to 5 pm and is followed by a tour operator reception and an all-delegate evening event.
Marketplace Timeline
When Should You Arrive?
We would advise arriving by the morning of Monday, November 4th to take advantage of the tour operator lunch (12:00 pm), sessions, mini-marketplace, and tour operator reception – all before the opening night event at 7:00.
When Should You Leave?
The final night networking event is our Party With a Purpose event on Wednesday, November 6th. This is a ticketed event supporting the OMCA Development Fund and is held after the Dine Around dinner from 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm. We recommend checking out on the 7th to accommodate for this late night.
- Monday, November 4th
- 12:00 pm-5:00 pm – Tour Operator Lunch and afternoon sessions, including mini-marketplace
- 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Buyer Reception hosted by Access Marketing
- 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Opening Night Reception at Cosmos Lounge (onsite)
- Tuesday, November 5th
- Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and we encourage all operators to attend as these meals are sponsored by supporting OMCA members.
- Marketplace appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. It is a good idea to arrive at your booth a few minutes before your first appointment.
- 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Evening Reception at Willistead Manor (shuttles provided)
- Wednesday, November 6th
- Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and we encourage all operators to attend as these meals are sponsored by supporting OMCA members.
- Marketplace appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. It is a good idea to arrive at your booth a few minutes before your first appointment.
- Dine around (roughly 5:45 pm – 8:30 pm)
- Party With a Purpose – 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm, tickets $50 in support of the OMCA development fund
Buyer Rebate Program
Hotel Rebate Program
Let your business pay for itself with the Buyer Rebate Program. OMCA provides a rebate of up to three nights’ accommodations at the host hotel for tour operators who fulfill the following:
- Update and complete the online profile
- Attend all pre-scheduled appointments (minimum of 95)
- Book in the Buyer Block at the host hotel
- Submit their receipt to laura@omca.com post-event
IMPORTANT: Only one room will be reimbursed per buyer booth.
Travel Rebate Program (New Members Only)
OMCA will provide a travel rebate of up to $200 for new member tour operators who fulfill the following:
- Attend all pre-scheduled appointments
- Submit travel receipts or mileage to laura@omca.com post-event
We look forward to seeing you at the OMCA Marketplace!
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
info@omca.com