Friday, January 30th, 2009
With the current state of the economy, it’s no surprise that business & government professionals are much more discerning about investing money in exhibits and events. As such, conference hosters must do everything possible to fine-tune and enhance the value they promise and deliver to both exhibitors and attendees.
Research can provide the timely insights necessary to maximize the marketing appeal and actual success of events. Often such studies can be conducted with email surveys, since event organizers typically have email addresses of exhibitors and attendees from the most recent and prior events. Response rates for event research can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, so it’s important to send the survey to as many people as possible within the target population.
Of course, the survey instrument for exhibitors will be different from that for attendees. In addition to seeking open-ended responses on specific event offerings and improvements, exhibitor questionnaires should probe desires and satisfaction levels in specific areas. To learn more about these areas… Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments 
Posted by Karen Quesenberry in Events 
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
Don’t fret. You’re not alone. Over the past few years, frustration has grown over declining response rates to online survey recruitment emails. Some of that decline can be blamed on emails being intercepted by spam or virus filters, which block them from reaching the in-box. And, for a variety of reasons, recipients don’t open and read many of the emails that do make it through the filters.
But we all know that online surveys have become more and more important for market research. So if you are looking for some tips on how to boost the open and response rates for your next online study recruitment… Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment Posted by Lisa Dezzutti in Research Methods
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
A new level of transparency has come to the White House. On Tuesday, mere minutes after President Obama was sworn in, the new White House website launched. The new site promises greater transparency and an opportunity for all Americans to have input regarding new legislation.
According to Nextgov, the site will have three priorities. The first will be providing in-depth content through various features, like the blog, e-mail updates, and briefing room. The second priority is transparency through the posting of documents such as executive orders, proclamations, and policies. Finally, President Obama will be fulfilling his campaign promise by asking for public input in lawmaking by allowing them to review and comment on non-emergency legislation for five days before it is signed into law.
To find out more, visit the WhiteHouse.gov website!
No Comments Posted by Karen Quesenberry in Government
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
According to our friends over at Input, contractors can expect more than $350 billion in new opportunities due to President-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package. These opportunities are expected to be in areas such as infrastructure improvements, school modernizations, electronic health records, and green initiatives. Contractors should expect various opportunities at local, state, and federal levels of government.
Click here to read the press release from Input, Inc.
1 Comment Posted by Sarah Wholey in Government
Monday, January 12th, 2009
Today FEMA is trying something new and interesting.
From 3:00-3:30pm FEMA will hold a press conference discussing where they are and where they are going. The interesting part is, this press conference will be held via Twitter.
To learn more go here.
Click here to check out FEMA’s Twitter page, FEMAINFOCUS.
No Comments Posted by Karen Quesenberry in Current Trends, Events, Government
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
Breakthrough scientific research currently underway at Carnegie Mellon University allows researchers to read the minds of their subjects. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, researchers were able to scan the brains of participants and determine which of a predetermined set of pictures the subject was thinking about.
Granted, this is a far cry from the ability to scan someone and determine innermost thoughts and desires, but it is a baby-step toward a whole new level of marketing research. Just imagine the possibilities! In the future you may design a new advertisement and present it to a test panel in an fMRI setting to determine whether people are focusing on your logo, your tagline, or simply the attractive model in the picture.
This fledgling idea is still in development, and is still much too expensive to be practical. However, this research could have interesting implications for the future of marketing research efforts.
Follow this link to find out more.
No Comments Posted by Molly Huie in Current Trends, Market Research
y of having some of the funniest, most engaging advertising seen on television all year. These are the kind of commercials that people remember, so much so that a study by Millward Brown Optimor showed that one Super Bowl commercial generates as many sales as 250 regular television spots. Not every company can spend 3 million dollars for a 30 second spot during the most anticipated sporting event of the year, but every company can learn from Super Bowl advertising. Make your advertisement memorable, engage your audience, and target those who have a need for your products and services. Market Connections can help you test all facets of your advertising and messaging campaigns; it may not make the Super Bowl, but it could definitely make a touchdown for your organization!