DESA: Helping You Exceed Expectations

Your Company Logo – More than just Artwork

2012-02-24T07:34:00.000-08:00

A company logo is a powerful tool for brand recognition. Just think of the Nike swoosh symbol – see it anywhere and you know that it’s Nike. The same applies for major brands such as Adidas, Apple, Facebook, Mercedes Benz, McDonald’s and countless others. A company logo creates a visual identity for a brand, speaks volumes about it, and is intended to become ingrained in the minds of consumers for years to come. That is the magical power of logo.

So where should your logo appear? The simple answer is anywhere information about your brand or company exists. Your logo coveys your brand message and signifies your company’s values and vision. It should appear on all of your company materials such as business cards, newsletters, letterhead, brochures, pamphlets and your company website.

What are the most important elements of a successful logo? Image, color, printability and consistency. Your image should be timeless. Your color(s) should be eye-catching and appealing. Your logo should be simple enough to appear flawlessly in full color print or just black and white. And most importantly, your logo should maintain consistency. Even if you decide it’s time to update your logo, it should maintain a consistent look so that your brand remains recognizable.

The bottom line: your logo is an extension of your brand’s message, image and promise. You need to communicate your message and promise in every aspect of your business to fully develop your brand, and your logo is no exception to that rule. Do you have a great company logo? Become a fan of our blog and share your logo with us!

Our Favorite Social Media Story of 2011

2011-12-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

In today’s digital world, speed and response times can be competitive advantages when communicating with your customers. Social media and online platforms give you the opportunity to survey what your customers have to say about you and respond in real time. A perfect example of this is from our favorite blog in 2011: “The Greatest Customer Service Story Ever Told, Starring Morton’s Steakhouse,” by HARO founder, Peter Shankman.

According to Shankman’s blog post, he was boarding a flight to New York City after a long day of meetings. As he waited for his flight to take off, he jokingly posted on Twitter how much he wished he could have a Morton’s steak when he landed at LaGuardia – "Hey @Mortons - can you meet me at the newark airport with a porthouse when I land in two hours? K, thanks. :)"

To his amazement, when he landed at LaGuardia, an employee from Morton’s approached him and handed him a bag. He proceeded to tell Shankman, “Hey, we heard you were hungry and inside this bag is a 24 oz. Porterhouse steak, an order of Colossal Shrimp, a side of potatoes, our famous round bread, plus napkins and silverware.”

A few hours later, Shankman posted this incredible customer service story on his personal blog and the story took off. By the next morning, the “Morton’s” story was everywhere – it was even featured on The Today Show and in publications Forbes Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. That’s some pretty great PR for the folks at Morton’s Steakhouse and it was a simple as reading their Twitter posts and getting creative with their response. And that’s what real-time marketing is all about.

This kind of strategy can work for all business types if you’re able to consider the instantaneous nature of online business communications and how that can work to your advantage. If you’re able to change your mindset and strategize in real time, you could create your own greatest customer service story ever told. Empower your marketing team and let them get creative…the payoff can be big.

Do you have an exceptional customer service story? What was your favorite blog or social media story from 2011? Share it with us on our blog and check out what Twitter listed as the top ten Tweets of 2011 at http://news.yahoo.com/according-twitter-2011s-top-tweets-164603990.html.

10 Ways to Keep Your Clients Happy

2011-11-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

No matter what kind of business you’re in, the end-goal should be a satisfied customer. With thousands of competing firms out there, how do you distinguish yourself? More than likely, it’s your customer experience that sets you apart. With social media all the rage, word of mouth is more important than ever, so utilize these tips to ensure your customers are raving about your products and services:

1) Listen. The feedback your customers give you is vital. It shows you where you’re succeeding, what areas you’re lacking in, and ultimately, how to improve your overall customer service.

2) Be Proactive. If problems are lurking on the horizon, solve them before you’re asked to. There’s a reason for the catchphrase, “hindsight is 20/20.” Think ahead and consider contingencies – it’ll put you in problem-solving mode and keep you ahead of the game.

3) Solicit Feedback. Ask your customers what think of your business and how they would make it better. Encourage them to use a suggestion form and offer incentives for doing so. By showing a desire to partner with your customers and proving that you value their opinion, customer loyalty will grow.

4) Keep in Contact. Once someone has done business with you, stay in contact with them. Whether that means sending them your latest capability statement or employee newsletter, keeping them in the loop will remind them that you’re thinking of them. They’ll then think of you the next time they are in need of service.

5) Own the Experience. Your customers want an experience with your company that is enjoyable and memorable. As soon as they enter your store, website, event or where ever the business is taking place, you are responsible for what happens. Take ownership of their experience and ensure that it’s a good one.

6) Protect the Customer. Who are you protecting them from? Many times, themselves. If you sense your customer isn’t taking the right approach, tell them. The long-term effect of helping a customer avoid a mistake far outweighs the short-term effect of telling them they’re doing something wrong. In the end, they’ll appreciate your foresight and honesty.

7) Empower Your Associates. Wasted time is wasted money. Don’t make your customers wait for a supervisor to approve a solution. Once an employee has shown good judgment, trust them to make the right decisions if a problem arises and they are equipped to handle it.

8) Continuously Add Value. While a customer may only hire you for one service, analyze all of their needs and inform them of the additional services you can provide. They may be unaware that you offer the solutions they need.

9) Anticipate Unmet Needs. This is similar to tip number two and involves staying proactive. The trick is to empathize with your customer – put yourself in their shoes and ask the question, “What would make the perfect customer experience?”

10) Reward Customer Loyalty. Long-term customers and those who refer you to new clients should be rewarded. For many businesses, that means discounting merchandise or services. Don’t solely focus on drawing in new customers and forget about those who already on board. Make sure they know they are valued, and they’ll most likely stay with you.

Customer loyalty is a hot topic in any industry. Follow the ten steps in this article, and you’ll go a long way toward turning one time customers into loyal advocates of your business who will buy from you and refer others to you, again and again.

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Do You QR?

2011-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Do You QR?

You’ve probably seen them everywhere – on ads, coupons, magazines and even bills. Similar to a barcode, but differing in appearance and functionality, QR codes are seemingly everywhere. But what exactly is their purpose?

QR (Quick Response) codes are 2D matrix barcodes that can hold thousands of characters of information that link to digital content on the web. Any camera-enabled smartphone user can download a QR scanner and then snap a quick picture of the QR code presented and be instantly connected to the website, email or video being introduced. The ability of QR codes to connect people with each other and to multimedia digital content is useful for businesses and consumers alike. Simply put, QR codes are one of the biggest current trends in mobile marketing and they’re everywhere.

There are a number of sites for generating QR codes and they’re all free and easy to use. DESA recommends http://qrcode.kaywa.com for easy, quick QR creation. You can create a QR code to link to a web page, text, SMS, video – basically any digital content you want to connect your users with. To download a QR scanner on your smartphone, search your apps for QR scanners and dozens of free applications will appear.

So where should you be using QR codes? DESA suggests:

Business cards
Printed marketing materials
Product tags and packaging
Convention and event nametags
Ticket stubs and sales receipts
Restaurant menus

What kind of content should your QR code link to? Things like:

Your company website
Your social media pages
Installation instructions
Directions to your business
Coupons and special offers
Customer feedback forms
How to videos

The potential for QR codes is limitless. What’s most exciting is how they merge social media and technology to better connect businesses with consumers. So how will you use QR codes to further enhance your users’ experience?

Meet our Conference & Event Management team!

2011-01-04T12:11:00.000-08:00

Working with the right people can make or break your conference planning experience. At DESA our staff takes pride in going the extra mile, not just talking about it. Unlike other planners, our team is passionate about making your event as successful as possible because your cause becomes our priority. We thought you should meet the people behind the success. Below is a profile of each member of our conference and event management team.

Camille Shaw, CMP, Director of Conference & Event Services
shaw1@desainc.com

With more than 15 years of experience, Ms. Shaw uses a hands-on approach for conference plan development, staffing and implementation. An accomplished meeting and conference planner, Ms. Shaw has taken a leadership role and has actively worked to the successful completion for groups of 25 - 3,000 participants.

Q.How did you get started in the meetings industry?

A. When I started my career at DESA I was providing administrative support and database management for conference registration. After lots of hardwork I was then was promoted to other areas of managment with more responsibililty. After years of experience manageing events of all sizes I was promoted to Director of Conference and Event Services.

Q.Tell us about your family.

A. I’m the proud mother of twin 12 year old sons, William and Tirrell.

Q.Tell us about your hobbies and interests.

A. I enjoy interior decorating, website design and planning support for church.

Cathy Mauldin, CMP, Senior Meeting Planner
cmauldin@desainc.com

Ms. Mauldin is a creative and dependable team player that excels in communication, organization and attention to detail. She is responsible for multiple event contracts at any given time and handles the daily activities of the contract’s SOW with ease.

Q.How did you get started in the meetings industry?

A. By accident, of course! I was working at a corporate real estate office as the administrative assistant in the Commercial department when it was decided that I should assist the Recruiting and Training departments as well. It was a welcomed challenge although it came with no pay increase or promotion. Nonetheless, through that experience I learned to manage the details involved in bringing people together and found that I enjoyed it more than any other task I’d been presented with and have pursued that passion ever since.

Q. Best memory from childhood?

A. When my Daddy retired from the Navy and I realized he wouldn’t be in the tape recorder anymore and Christmas would be in December again not in July.

Q. If I was an animal I would be?

A. An owl, I always have my nose in a book and owls just seem so bookish to me. But by no means do I believe myself to be a “wise old owl” rather just a girl on an infinite quest for knowledge. How Renaissance that sounds! My high school English teacher, Mrs. Jackson, would be so proud!

Natoshia Drinkard, Meeting Planner
ndrinkard@desainc.com

Ms. Drinkard is an experienced event planner with more than five years experience. Her attention to detail and ability to multi-task has proven to be beneficial in planning meetings, events and workshops.

Q. How did you get started in the meetings industry?

A. At some time or another we all will plan or be a part of planning a party for our children, a baby shower for a friend, and/or a birthday party for a family member. I have always enjoyed leading the quest to make that event special for that loved one. As years passed, I was presented with the opportunity to plan a major symposium with minimum direction. The symposium was a success and I enjoyed every minute of the hustle and bustle. A light bulb went off and I realized that not only was event planning my new passion, but it was also my talent. I find it very fulfilling to be passionate about your career while utilizing your natural talents. This was the break through of my career as a planner and I can only imagine where this road will continue to lead me.

Q. Best memory from childhood?

A. Receiving my driver’s license is one of my best childhood memories. During those days, I always volunteered to transport a family member to their destination. It didn’t matter if it was a one or 10 mile drive; I was excited about driving. I didn’t receive my license until my late teenage years, but I believe the wait made me a more responsible driver.

Q. Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
A. I enjoy shoe shopping, clothes shopping, jewelry shopping, home décor shopping, car shopping, window shopping, purse shopping…okay, the point is-I ENJOY SHOPPING!

Janice Smith, Travel Specialist

jsmith@desainc.com

Ms. Smith has been finding the best deals on flights and lodging since she began working with DESA over five years ago. Her role on DESA’s team doesn’t stop with travel coordination, Ms. Smith also aides with other areas of planning such as site preparation, registration and budgeting.

Q. How did you get started in the meetings industry?
A. I got started in the meetings industry by sheer accident. After learning the business and serving DESA for the past four and a half years, I found that I really enjoyed seeing the final conference come together. It’s especially rewarding when our team receives "kudos" from proud clients!

Q. Tell us about your hobbies and interests
A. My hobbies include traveling, collecting unusual paper napkins, playing competitive scrabble and reading any novel by the famed author, Terry McMillan.

Q. Best memory from childhood?
A. My best childhood memory is from when I was five years old and was taken to Times Square in New York City to watch the famous ball drop on New Years Eve! New Year’s Eve is always special to me, because it’s my birthday!

Tiffany Flood, Graphics Specialist

tflood@desainc.com

Ms. Flood’s work in graphic design is truly a step above the rest. Highly imaginative, she creates stunning visuals with the client’s vision always in mind. Her designs give continuity through designing websites to designing program books, save the date cards, brochures, folders, promotional items and more. When working with Ms. Flood, you are guaranteed of your vision becoming a reality.

Q. How did you get started in the meetings industry?

A. An opportunity as a Graphics Specialist opened at DESA nearly five years ago. I happily applied and was selected. Ever since, I’ve been creating unique designs for hundreds of conferences.

Q. Proudest accomplishment?

A. I am the first person in my family to graduate from a four year college, so my proudest accomplishment was receiving my diploma from the University of South Carolina.

Q. Best memory from childhood?

A. I have always been a little of a late bloomer. In fact, I learned to ride a “two-wheeler” while living in New York, when I was in middle school (around 10 years old). At the time it was a chilly fall day, like any other. I remember putting on my snow suit and two jackets so I would make sure not to get any scars while riding on the lawn with my purple banana seat-style bicycle. After I thought I grasped the concept, I literally rode off onto the side of the road (by accident). Now, whenever I feel afraid to do anything, I just remember how I felt after I started riding … ridiculously happy.

Michelle Moshinskie, Marketing Specialist

mmoshinskie@desainc.com

With Ms. Moshinskie’s extensive background and education in marketing, advertising, graphic design, public relations and journalism, she is ideal for creating and implementing marketing strategies and assuring the development and accuracy of all written documents for conferences of any size.

Q. How did you get started in the meetings industry?

A. When studying at the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!), my minor focused on special events and the tourism industry. After graduation, I started working full-time with DESA where I continue to develop and implement marketing strategies for small and large events.

Q. Tell us about your family.

A. I married my best friend Jeremy Gile in the summer of 2009. We have two cute little ferrets, Jack and Bella. My parents and brother live in Tennessee, and the rest of my siblings and extended family are back home in Vermont.

Q. Tell us about your hobbies and interests.

A. I love playing and watching sports, cooking, traveling and relaxing on the beach

Krystale Canty, Administrative Assistant

kcanty@desainc.com

Ms. Canty is an experienced administrative assistant with extreme organizational skills. Her expertise includes customer service, graphic design, word processing, quality control, writing and analytical skills that are essential in organizing and preparing for different aspects of each conference, as needed.

Q. How did you get started in the meetings industry?
A. Working at DESA for the past four years, lead me in the direction of meeting planning. It wasn’t until the 2009 Hydrogen Conference that I witnessed and experienced the full process of conducting a conference, the DESA way.

Q. Tell us about your family
A. I am a 30-year-old single mother of one. My beautiful daughter’s name is Ayana Evelyn Canty. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. During my teenage years, my mother moved my sister and me to Greeleyville, SC where I graduated from high school.

Q. Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
A. I love drawing, painting and graphic design.

Hope you enjoyed getting to know our team a little better! If you've decided DESA is the right choice for your next conference or event, or if you just want more information, contact Camille at (803) 743-1131.

Want ROI? Design Your Trade Show Exhibit to Work for You.

2010-12-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

When you attend a trade show, your exhibit should attract and wow your target audience... not necessarily display every single product you produce. By following these four steps your exhibit will be effective and engaging.

The exhibit instantly communicates to visitors that the exhibitor offers products visitors are looking for
The exhibit quickly engages visitors with a compelling, relevant message
The brand impression created by the exhibit matches the exhibitor’s own corporate identity
The unique advantages of the exhibitor’s products and solutions are easily understood

As you probably know this isn't normally what happens, instead displays are overwhelming with information or just plain boring except for the mega brands and huge corporations.

Always remember, more than anything else, trade show attendees want information on products and services, and especially innovative new solutions. What trade show attendee gives up his valuable time just to look at products he’s known about for years?
Aligning your trade show exhibit design to the needs of your target audience is a well proven principle: Less is actually more! In addition, a simplified exhibit costs less, which is also attractive for your company.

Lessons from the Gulf: Forgetting the Environment Can Kill Your Brand

2010-11-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

Go Green! Everyone is doing it, or at least they want the public to think they are. You have to admire the savvy marketing professionals who distract us with flashy green logos and “go green” campaigns. However, many companies are still avoiding the popular movement toward environmentally safe business practices. While that strategy may have worked it the past it has certainly been damaging to BP as a company and a brand.

The mega oil company has suffered tremendous losses since the detrimental oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico this past summer. From the mass media coverage we all know the horrifying damage the oil spill caused not only to the environment, but also to the economies of the surrounding countries.

BP was obviously reckless and negligent with their offshore drilling operations, but besides killing the environment they may have killed the value of a multi-million dollar brand. People no longer associate the vibrant yellow and green BP sun with eco-friendly fuel. Instead the logo reminds consumers of oil filled oceans, helpless animals, and the economic distaster caused by thousands of gallons of BP oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico. For many BP has become the poster child of corporate greed and irresponsibility.

The question remains, can BP be saved? The company is certainly putting all their resources toward that goal. Millions of dollars have been sent by the company to aid those affected by the spill and restore the Gulf Coast. BP has made their response a primary focus on their website and in their public relations strategy. But is it enough? Will BP survive as a brand and if so, will eco-friendly operations become a top priority?

iPad Apps for Event & Cenference Planners

2010-11-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

The iPad is without a doubt one of the most innovative and successful pieces of technology Apple has recently launched. For conference and event planners who are tired of carrying massive paper binders, the iPad looks like a great alternative. For those who are skeptical about the slick Apple gadget we've done the homework for you. Below we've reviewed 6 great apps event planners are already raving about.

Keynote

Keynote is one of many presentation softwares available on the market. I have never encountered the phrase “Death by Keynote” – and we are all aware of the fact you can die from Powerpoint. The iPad app is incredibly similar to the full Mac software. You can carry your presentations on the go and plug them to a projector straight ahead. That’s grand when your speakers forget their slide pack.

Task Cards

Task Management my friends. It’s all about that. I am against overly complex applications. I love simplicity. Whenever I note down tasks in a simple list, I am sure I am going to fulfil them. Quite enjoyed the “Sometimes” and “Tomorrow” archiving functionalities. A great GTD implementation that helps in prioritizing and organizing.

Office2 HD

Despite the comprehensive offer of iWork, .doc and .xls are the standards. You may need to open and edit Word and Excel documents on the go. Office2 HD is quite an amazing iPad app that allows full control over Microsoft Office documents.

Desktop Connect

No more “Darn I have it on my desktop” negativity. Desktop Connect allows you to control your desktop from your iPad. Remote access to your desktop is key when you are in the trenches fighting to get your attendees happy. A no brainer.

Voice Memos

iPhone lovers are used to record voice memos on the go. The iPad does not have such a feature. Voice Memos comes to the rescue allowing you to record passing thoughts and voice to-do’s. We don’t always have the time to write down tasks, this app comes very handy and gives planners extra time to organize ideas later.

Penultimate

Tapping may be the way forward, but nothing compares to handwriting. Penultimate has 3 amazing pen inks to take quick notes and show them around. We’ve always seen handwritten sheets of papers for crisis handling. Showing your iPad to direct crowds in a room sounds kind of cool to me. Give it a go.

Hope this helps! And if you have other Apps to rave about please comment below and spread the word!