CHPA 2013 Annual Conference Call for Proposals

The Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) invites speakers for the Association’s 2013 Annual Conference on the following topics. Please indicate your interest to speak or a speaker you recommend on the following form. Speaker suggestions will be accepted until June 29, 2012. The 2013 Program Task Force will meet in July to determine speakers for the 2013 Annual Conference and respond to all proposed speakers. Submit a proposal.

Requested Conference Topics

How to Value Your Business and How to Sell It. You own your own businesses but what is it worth? How do you value your businesses? What is our exit strategy – and what are the different options open to you? Or, you’ve already chosen one of these options – share why. This session will have speakers share the factors in this decision making process.

Security - Ensuring Safety in Your Company & in the Industry. This session will encompass everything from security of clients to the security of data in your office. From protection against identity theft to after-hour guest arrival procedures/lock boxes to criminal background checks – how does your company ensure security? If your company experienced an issue and figured out how to solve it, please share the concept with others. Potential panel session.

How to Sell to Different Segments. Everyone has targets markets. We are looking for speakers that can share tips on how to effectively sell service v. price, offer insights into what the following segments really need and how to really reach them in new ways: Relo Companies; Consultants; Universities; Fortune 500 Companies and others.

How to Get Your Company Certified. If your company is certified as a Woman-Owned, Vet-Owned, Minority-Owned business or on the GSA schedule, you successfully navigated processed to make this happen. Share how to get your business certified in these different segments as part of a panel discussion.

What’s going on with government spending? What is the real story on government spending and travel restrictions? How are these standards set? What are the trends you’re seeing in this segment? This session will showcase multiple views from different size companies. If your company specializes in one of these segments, share your experience with other members.

HR Headaches All HR functions are critically important to your company. How does your company stay apprised of labor laws? How do you compensate or incent your team? How do you evaluate the sales persons’ efforts? How do you decide what to spend money on – inside sales, outside sales, etc.? When do you hire an outside salesperson? This will be a best practice session sharing what your company does to determine if your sales efforts/ advertising efforts / % you spend on overhead and staff – all pay off.

How Does Your Local/Regional Company do Business Internationally? With today’s global marketplace, it’s just a matter of time before one of your regular clients needs help internationally. Or, you may get a lead to partner with a small international company – today. This session will focus on how to navigate the challenges that accompany these opportunities. How does your company start competing globally? What does international business entail? What are the local laws, time zones, cultural differences? If your company expanded in this direction, we need your perspectives and lessons learned.

Diversifying Your Business: Pros & Cons. What have you added to your company’s P&L to be more profitable? How have you diversified your business? If your company now offers extra services (value) to your clients, share the factors that went into making this decision. Do the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa?

REITs & how do you deal with apartment communities? At what level does your company best deal with REITs or apartment communities? We are looking for senior leaders from a REIT or a property management company to discuss corporate housing and multi-family on how to be better partners. This session will present insights into the RFP process - how vendors are chosen and evaluated, what clients do with RFP/RFI information, etc. If your company does this well, please share how your company responds to an RFP and more.

Branding Your Name. This session seeks speakers that have successfully branded their companies to separate them from the competition. Share best practices re: marketing name branding using social media, communications and more.

Pricing Methodologies. This session will outline the different models and methodology used in determining rate. Understand the differences between daily and nightly stays, the impact seasonality has on rate and new ways to figure out your company’s strategy.

Measurement Tools and Importance of Ratings: Surveys. Surveys and service measurement tools have become the standard in our industry. This session will discuss and review different types of account management tools needed to do business in this type of environment. If your company successfully navigates and uses these measurements well, share your success at CHPA2013.

Ensuring Quality with Wholesaling. This best practices sharing of ideas will focus on how the industry navigates the wholesaling trend. Topics will include ‘sharing’ outbound booking or cross-selling with other partners, ensuring consistent quality, and how to choose your company’s partners well.

Start Up Companies . There are many decisions to make as an entrepreneur with your own company. What are the components involved in starting up a business? How do you decide on your markets — where do you go for information? How do you negotiate? What should you consider before deciding to buy or rent? Do you have a business mentor? Speakers new to the corporate housing or partnering industries are needed to share their stories – lessons learned and successes.

Submit a proposal.

Important Information

CHPA Audience Expectations of Presenters

Knowledgeable of the industry so the presentation is valuable to participants and the audience is engaged.
President/Owner/CEO and/or senior management executives are often the majority of the audience. Sessions must present information that challenges and engages them as business owners, entrepreneurs and savvy business people.
Provide business owners and managers resources/tools that they can take back to their teams to immediately implement in their offices.

Audience Profile

CHPA members are entrepreneurs, owning and operating their own businesses.
85-90% of all members are independently-owned businesses in local, statewide or regional markets.
Company owners/presidents/CEOs, upper executive level staff, some sales people and vendors to the industry.
The male/female ratio is approximately 50/50, with multigenerational attendees from 20s to 60s.

CHPA Speaker Policy

All speakers receive complimentary registrations to attend the CHPA conference for the day on which they present at no charge. If the speaker intends to attend the full conference, they must register at the appropriate rate.

CHPA Member Speakers: No honorarium or travel support will be provided for member participation. All members are required to pay meeting registration fees.
Non-Member Speakers: Speakers are encouraged to fund their own travel and associated expenses. If CHPA is asked to fund fee or travel for speaker costs, a maximum of $1,000 will be reimbursed for travel related costs per speaker.

If you have any questions, please contact the CHPA office via phone at 317-328-4631 or via email at info@chpaonline.org.

Submit a proposal. Proposals are due by June 29, 2012.