GBTA 2011-Denver, CO

Topaz attended the annual GBTA conference in Denver, CO August 21st-24th. We set up a booth where current and potential clients could visit us to learn more about what we do and how we can help them. My favorite part about GBTA is getting to meet some of the clients I’ve been e-mailing with for months. It’s so nice to put a name to a face and connect in person. It really reminds me of the value of personal communication face to face and reminds me why I love visiting clients for client reviews.

One of the challenges we face at GBTA is that we are a very small fish in a very big pond. Our booth is much smaller than many of the other participants, mostly very large companies in the travel industry. This year we tried to fly blue balloons with our logo high above our booth to help people find us, but I think even those may have gotten lost in the mix.

Some of you know our CEO Brad Seitz; he is known for being outgoing and always being himself. He walked around the convention floor for much of the time we exhibited in a Loud Mouth Golf Sport coat. (See photos) This is probably the thing that attracted the most attention to our booth. Even the people who thought it was crazy still seemed to like it.

As we looked back and reflected on GBTA this past week we are thinking of some new ideas for next year. The convention is in Boston. Brad lives in Maine and I live in NH, so it’s kind of our “home turf.” We may not even do a booth next year. We love walking around and meeting people and thinking, “outside the box.” We hate to confine ourselves to a tiny space where you have to find us. We may just walk around as suppliers next year or maybe host a unique event. We’d love to hear from all of you and hear your opinions on where you’d like to see us or what you’d like to see us do.

I’d like to thank all of the clients who visited our booth. It was a great meeting with you and learning more about what you do and letting you know where Topaz fits in. I’d also like to thank our friends (Especially those at T&T) for all of your hospitality. Thank you everyone for your time and energy.

So, here’s to new opportunities, new beginnings and Bean town; where we hope you can find a place to Pawhk your renta Cawh and we show you a wicked good time.

PS: This is ahr yeahr, Red Sawx aull the wahy.

Cheers,