Introducing ConferenceDirect's Vendor Sourcing Transformation

Founded in 1998, ConferenceDirect is one of the largest meeting and event management firms globally. With over 13,000 meetings sourced and managed annually, they serve a diverse clientele around the globe. Their impressive sourcing volume totals more than $1.2 billion annually, powered by innovative solutions like Reposite.

Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer, Larry Hanson, identified the need for a strong technology partner to streamline their manual vendor sourcing processes to boost efficiencies.

The Challenge of Manual Vendor Sourcing

Initially, ConferenceDirect relied heavily on manual processes to source vendors outside hotel venues. Manual vendor sourcing not only consumed valuable time but also complicated workflows. Associates had to manage static spreadsheets, leading to inefficiencies and convoluted processes. Hanson knew there was a need for an automated solution to improve vendor sourcing and streamline their operations.

Larry sought a strong technology partner to help improve processes for managing these critical business opportunities. “Our initial preferred platform ultimately didn’t work,” he explains. “We were therefore sourcing everything outside of hotels manually, which created a convoluted process for finding the right vendor for what our customers and associates needed.” 

Enter Reposite

To address these challenges, ConferenceDirect adopted Reposite. Reposite offers over 65,000 vendor offerings across 2,500 locations, enabling efficient vendor discovery and simplifying coordination for event managers. Users can now source everything from restaurants to entertainment, all within one intuitive tool.

Benefits of Reposite

• Expanding Vendor Offerings: ConferenceDirect expanded their network from around 200 vendors worldwide to access Reposite’s global network of more than 65,000 vendors offerings, increasing the variety of offerings and services available to clients.

• AI powered Automated Matching: The tool’s AI matching algorithm pairs requests with the best-suited suppliers based on various criteria like geography and budget.
• Customized Proposals: Associates can create customized proposals with vendor options, images, and quote pricing, which can be organized by project for easy review.
• Time Efficiency: Initial supplier responses are typically received within 48 hours, reducing sourcing timelines by up to 90%.
• Commission Tracking: The tool allows ConferenceDirect leadership to download a list of commissions and track them efficiently, providing invaluable information for managing vendor relationships and financial performance.

Future Outlook

Hanson anticipates continued significant growth with these tools, maximizing their impact and solidifying ConferenceDirect’s reputation as a full solution provider. The unique capabilities of Reposite ensure ConferenceDirect stays ahead in the event management industry.