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GLTSA 2004 Conference Recap
Jan/Feb 2005
The 2004 annual convention of the Great Lakes Telemessaging
Services Association (GLTSA) was held at the Radisson Hotel and City Centre in Indianapolis,
IN on September 27 and 28.
The conference focused on innovative methods to increase business
revenues while building high-quality customer relationships in the increasing
call center and telephone answering service marketplace.
On
hand to welcome the attendees and vendors on Tuesday was GLTSA President, Rob
Bennett of Bennett Answering Service, of Flint,
MI.
Rob
set the stage for the day by highlighting some of the GLTSA achievements of
recent years and underscoring the need to continue the progress of the
organization.
Sessions
began with a high-energy presentation from Gary
Pudles (AnswerNet Network) on "Effective Negotiations."
Mr. Pudles demonstrated winning techniques used in negotiations,
including how to strike productive terms with new clients, staff, and potential
partners.
Kelli Robbins
of Contact One Communications followed
with a presentation entitled "Mining for Gold." The
presentation included a step-by-step guide on how to create an in-house sales
and marketing campaign, using low-cost or no-cost strategies.
Morning
sessions were followed by a luncheon in the exhibitor's room.
Demonstrating products and services for the TAS/Call Center industry were
Amtelco, represented by Tom
Lindsay and Bob Bennett; Ron Kritzman of DB
Masters; Ron Violante of Professional
Teledata; Nancy Raftis of Startel; and
Patty Anderson and Lindell
Bates of Telescan.
Afternoon sessions opened with
Trues Wheeler of Verizon Wireless, who
provided insight on emerging wireless technologies, and how GLTSA member
companies can benefit from wireless package offerings in today's competitive
telecom arena. Next Bob Denman of MessagePlex
captured the audience with an exciting multi-media presentation on company
branding using a well-developed Website. Mr.
Denman demonstrated the benefits and features of implementing a
password-protected client page for message retrieval, which increases client
satisfaction, decreases payroll, and raises business revenues.
Afternoon sessions concluded with Dwayne
King of Service Pricing Group, an
industry veteran, who offered GLTSA members a program and practices
to consolidate business telephone accounts, effectively reducing monthly
telephone company expenditures.
Evening
festivities included a formal dinner in the Library Room, overlooking downtown
Indianapolis from the 21st floor of the hotel.
GLTSA members networked with friends from across the Midwest
and Canada. Special thanks to our
friends from Amtelco for sponsoring our happy hour cocktail party!
The
Wednesday session highlights included an informative look at ATSI
(the Association of TeleServices International), by
ATSI President Gary Tedrick, who outlined the role of ATSI in the industry for the
upcoming year. Mr. Tedrick also
discussed the positioning of regional associations in the overall industry
landscape.
Joe Sameh of
NeedMyDoctor demonstrated the role of the medical call center in helping
to combat disease and in the prevention of bio-terrorism in today's world.
Mr. Sameh's business model incorporates the creation and maintenance of
a national database for physicians, healthcare providers, and patients to report
illness and infections.
Special
thanks to Kelli Robbins of Contact One Communications and to Tom Lindsay of
Amtelco, for their help in the promotion and planning of the conference.
Our success this year would not have been the same without them!
As
with any convention, the attendees in Indianapolis made all the difference.
New attendees turned out in full force, in addition to the familiar faces
that come back year after year. The
loyal attendance and consistent support of GLTSA members make the annual
convention both a success and a homecoming.
The
dates for next year's conference have not yet been established.
However, GLTSA is investigating facilities at the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame, in Cleveland, OH for the 2005 convention.
Call 888-712-9396 for more information
about GLTSA.
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