Questions I Wish People Would Ask

May 1, 2016

Meghan Hambrick

Meghan Hambrick, Sales Manager at Core-apps, has been in the business of connecting people for almost 10 years and her vast experience has helped her to understand her clients and the bigger picture.  

Fact:  There are dozens of mobile event app companies. However, having more options doesn’t make your job any easier.

Fact:  Most apps have the basic features that you want. From Alerts, Schedules, Exhibitor Listings, and Social Engagement … name it and most apps have it.

Fact:  Not all mobile app providers are created equal.

I recently attended AENC’s Technology Conference and one of the sessions really resonated with me.  It was called Questions I Wish People Would Ask.  Being in a sales position, I love it when prospective clients ask questions but I appreciate it even more when they bring up the good ones. These are the type of questions that go deeper than features and price. 

Today, I wanted to share with you some questions. I encourage you to ask these questions to every potential vendor that you’re considering to work with: 

1.      The Question: What is your mission? 

The Reason:  Know the vendor’s mission to check if it complements with yours. You want to make sure that both parties are culturally aligned and share the same goals.

2.      The Question: How dependable are you? Explain your stability.

The Reason:  App companies are popping up left and right but will they be there for you in five months?  How about at 10pm on a Sunday night? You need to check how reliable the vendor is.

3.      The Question:  What do you do best?

The Reason:  Ask about their customer service model, integration capabilities, customizations, and flexibility.  These things matter and should be considered over price.

4.      The Question:  Is everything done in-house?

The Reason:  Many vendors outsource aspects of their business like Customer Service and even development work.  This question will inform you on who will be the key contact persons you’ll be working with if issues arise and how quickly will the vendor address concerns.

These are just a few suggestions but these are great examples of how you can see more beyond the surface. Remember, asking the right questions will lead you to a deeper understanding and consequently better decisions.  

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Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact