Social media guru, educator and founder of the Ogilvy Digital Marketing Academy, Dave Duarte, will throw a lifeline to small and medium enterprises in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors later this month when he hosts a one-day workshop on marketing, at the Getaway Travel & Tourism Conference.
Duarte’s step-by-step master-class is designed to equip SMMEs with a customised roadmap to marketing their businesses using multi media. The programme will allow delegates to create their own marketing plan so they leave with an integrated strategy tailored to their needs, say the organisers.
“Time is money for SMMEs. We want to make it worthwhile for them to attend, so we’ve designed a programme that will allow delegates to do more than wonder how to implement what they’ve learned. Armed with a marketing toolkit specific to their needs, they will leave will knowing exactly what to do. The day will be like have a private consultant in the office,” explained Tracy-Lee Behr, Getaway events manager.
The Getaway Travel & Tourism Conference – hashtag #GTTC – will cover all the elements of a sound marketing plan. Topics include defining the market and what differentiates businesses from their competitors, setting up a good website, social media marketing, online and email advertising, mobile and location-based marketing and nurturing loyalty and reputation.
“This very practical, participative workshop will teach delegates how to invest time and money to improve their returns from online marketing. They will learn the basics of maintaining their own online presence – from website to social media – without prior technical expertise,” said Duarte.
While the focus will be on those in travel and tourism, business people from any sector would benefit from the skills and insights covered, he added.
The Getaway Travel & Tourism Conference, co-hosted by Getaway magazine and the Ogilvy Digital Marketing Academy and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans, takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome, Midrand, on 28 August.
It will run from 8:30 to 17:00 and costs R1 200 a person, inclusive of the day’s presentations on flash-drive, meals and refreshments.
Full details are available at http://conference.getaway.co.za/travel-and-tourism.
