Countdown on for Ticketing Professionals Conference

Final registrations are being accepted for the 2012 NARPACA Ticketing Professionals Conference and Trade Show ï¾ being held from Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd February at the Melbourne Sebel Albert Park.
In developing the event, Conference Organiser Tim Roberts was determined to create a conference that truly addressed ticketing issues in a way that would be relevant and enticing to box office staff, marketing managers and chief executives from cultural organisations, venues and the wider leisure industry.
The result, with the theme 'Technology: New Opportunities for Engagement', is a 2012 Ticketing Professionals Conference with an impressive array of speakers to deliver the message.
Roberts explains "we are pleased to present a variety of opinion leaders on the impact technology ï¾ particularly online ï¾ is having on ticketing and where it is going. To ensure we provide a good overview, we have sourced a unique mix of speakers from Australia, New Zealand and the USA."
A particular coup has been scoring Devon Smith as Keynote Speaker. Currently the Director of Social Media for Threespot, a digital engagement agency in Washington DC which primarily serves non-profit and government organisations, Smith is a regular commentator and presenter in the US on topics surrounding digital strategy.
Devon has undertaken a range of research projects for arts venues and organisations in the use of social media and her extraordinary educational achievements include an MBA from Yale School of Management, an MFA in Theatre Management from the Yale School of Drama, a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington.
Smith is set to challenge delegates and create debate about social media's proven ability to sell tickets ï¾ or not.
Roberts adds "we get asked this question all the time ï¾ 'does does social media actually sell tickets?' (and) we have evidence that it does, but not always in the direct and instant way that organisations might hope for.
"Devon is going to be a very entertaining keynote speaker as she throws into harsh relief the issues and misperceptions around this."
Embracing every possible opportunity that new technology could offer was an essential approach for the organisers of last year's Rugby World Cup 2011.
As Manager, Online and Communications Projects, Rugby New Zealand 2011 Clare Wolfensohn was at the vanguard of new media marketing, challenged daily to try her hand at a number of new social and online marketing platforms. Presenting a case study at the conference, Clare will share the success factors of the online and social media strategy that achieved the tournament international recognition and 1.4 million tickets valued at NZ $269 million.
An established sports marketing and communications professional, Wolfensohn has almost a decade of experience in the international sports industry behind her, including with the International Paralympic Committee and Netball Australia.
Addressing the issue of adapting quickly to mobile internet trends, Sydney-based digital agency owner Stuart Buchanan will offer practical advice to delegates on optimising websites for mobile, including ï¾ importantly ï¾ ticketing transactions.
According to a global survey conducted by Ipsos research and Google, which polled a total of 2000 Australians, "in Australia, one in four consumers say they have purchased products on their mobile, while 49% said they have used their smartphone to research and call a business."
Adapting to this particular trend is arguably one of the most critical technology issues that faced the ticketing industry is facing. Buchanan's history of developing and managing projects for the arts and creative industries since 1990 makes him the ideal presenter on this topic.
Other sessions at the conference include an opportunity to hear direct from Google's local business development team about their new developments r
tim.roberts@ticketingprofessionals.com.au
http://www.ticketingprofessionals.com.au