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Hot off the Press! Taking the “Bull” out of Booking Events, imbookin.com Debuts as the Internet’s Most Comprehensive Venue Booking Site

Posted on March 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

Taking the “Bull” out of Booking Events, imbookin.com Debuts as the Internet’s Most Comprehensive Venue Booking Site

Event planners, hosts, and hostesses love imbookin.com’s rapidly growing database of 10,000+ venue choices and thousands of event packages. Venue managers love that the site is a free tool to promote and manage their event space and packages (dinners, drinks, rentals, etc.) to those eager to book.

NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — The dinner party you are planning for 40 of your closest friends is fast approaching, but you still don’t know where you are going to host it. Time is running out and you need to send the invitations but you are waiting to hear back from five venues in which you are interested. The pressure to choose a location is mounting. Pricing and availability are your key decision criteria, but most importantly, you need to book now!

You’re in luck. Your dream of a Web site where you can get venue pricing and availability and book your event online, including booking special packages such as dinners and open bars, has come true. Imbookin.com, a new and free online tool for anyone booking or promoting all types of event spaces, is the most trusted source for finding unique venues to host a birthday, wedding, reception, office get-together, shower, or most any event that needs a space. The site is free to sign up and an easy-to-use resource for all types of venues that want to promote and manage their event spaces and packages to a global audience.

Imbookin’s goal is simple: Connect people that are selling event spaces with those who need a space, and help all involved to do so easily. “It may be a rooftop deck, country lodge, local bar, city zoo, art gallery, or top-rated restaurant, imbookin.com and our partners make it easy to find, price and book your event,” said Josh Gooch, CEO of imbookin.com.

Event planners, hosts, and hostesses can sign up at imbookin.com to book events. Venue managers can also sign up to sell their space. Searches on imbookin.com can be filtered by date, budget, guest count, location, privacy, amenities, age group, and keywords.

A unique feature on imbookin.com is the ability to create an event based on packages offered by the venue. Working like an “event cart,” hosts can search for venues that accommodate multiple packages (open bar, cash bar, minimum spend, dinner, appetizers, and more) to create their perfect event.  For example, you’re planning an event and want an open bar from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. and dinner from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Both packages can be priced, time selected, and then added to your “Event Cart.”

Features in development for imbookin.com include map-based searches, videos, user profiles and reviews, and a “special offers” engine for venues.

Imbookin.com is available nationwide with a focus in New York City. Over the next two years the company plans to roll out platforms for Washington, D.C.; Boston; Chicago; Miami; San Diego; Los Angeles; San Francisco; and Seattle, among other U.S. cities.

For more information on imbookin.com, visit http://imbookin.com or contact press@imbookin.com.

About imbookin.com

Imbookin.com (formerly Pogby) started with the goal to connect people who are selling event spaces and services with those who are buying them, and to do so in the easiest way possible with up front information, availability options, and transparency in pricing. Imbookin.com allows planners to search and book venues for their wedding, birthday party, anniversary gathering, corporate event, and more. Event space searches on imbookin.com can be filtered by date, budget, guest count, location, privacy, amenities, age groups, and more. The site allows all types of venues to merchandise their location easily and manage all of their bookings for free using imbookin.com. The online tool, which is available nationwide, plans to further expand to major markets including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. 

Media Contact: Tammy Petersen imbookin, 3129613280, tammy@lmpinternational.com

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Posted in Announcements, bookin, bookin Fun!, imbookin News, In the Industry, Plannin, Sellin, Startup

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Need a Reason to have an Event? We got one!!

Posted on February 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Restaurants, Art Galleries, Theaters, Hotels, Bars and more!

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Do you have a location for event? ADD YOUR LOCATION – It’s Free!

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Posted in bookin, bookin Fun!, Sellin

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We Launched!

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 2 Comments

We are proud to share with you news that imbookin – the ONLY site that allows you to find and book packages at event locations – has LAUNCHED!

After tons of hours of development on a complete site redesign and building a brand new version of the booking engine and back end interface, a bunch of sleepless/late nights, and thousands of discussions on upcoming product features, imbookin.com (brought to you by the team at Pogby) is now open for bookin’!

imbookin allows you to search and see pricing of packages at unique event locations. Users can filter by date, guest count, budget, location type, privacy, amenity, and age groups as well as see how pricing varies at different times of the day. One of the teams favorite features at launch is the ability to “Create Your Event” and select multiple package types. For example, you can select an open bar package, appetizer package, dinner package and then complete your event with a minimum spend or cash bar at the end. But this is only the beginning. Currently in development is the roll out of the next set of features including map based search, location videos, user profiles and reviews, offer codes, enhanced availability management features, and more.

We built this system to solve a serious need in the community. We wanted more people to get out of their homes and offices to have events. With imbookin, folks will now be able to see how much it costs and what different types of food and beverage services they can get at all kinds of event locations.

imbookin’s main focus today is New York City, but the team is planning roll outs to new markets this year and next to cities across the US including Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and more.

We urge everyone to sign up at imbookin.com so you can be the first to know about news, product updates, special promotions and upcoming events as well as earn $$$ booking credits for referring event locations that sign up and friends that book online.

Also, remember we’re in ‘beta’ so bear with us. Stay tuned and we look forward to bookin’ with you!

- The imbookin Team

For more information about imbookin and to arrange an interview, email press@imbookin.com.

January 20, 2012

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Posted in Announcements, bookin, imbookin News, Plannin, Sellin, Startup

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5 Tech Resolutions For Event Planners

Posted on January 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

The holiday season has come to a close and now is the time to start working on those New Year’s resolutions! For all of you Event Planners it’s time to get organized and use technology to do it. 2012 can be the year you embrace technology, so here are my top tech ideas for you to use!

1.)  Create a Twitter

If you don’t have a twitter account by now step out of the Stone Age! Twitter is a wonderful way to connect with clients and other event planners. It is a great place to share ideas as well as grow your client base.  Here at Imbookin we utilize our Twitter to connect and engage with our followers. Its all about creating a community and staying in contact. We like to share information about our company, news and announcements, special promotions as well as spread the word about interesting events in the industry and resources available. Its important to connect with your followers too – ask and answer questions, share their content, send thanks, etc! To learn more about using twitter in the events and meetings industry, check out this great post from @Streampoint.

2.)  Go on EventManagerBlog.com

I recently discovered this fabulous site created by Julius Solaris. It offers many tips for Event Planners.  You can search by category to find what you need. For example, it offers a place to learn the benefits of Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.  It’s a great blog to follow so be sure to check it out! He is also the manager of the largest group for Event Professionals on LinkedIn. Make sure you get involved. Other industry blogs that are great resources also include: Liz King Events Blog, Engage365, Ready2Spark,  Party Science,  PCMA Convene, PlannerWire, and Viktorix.

3.)  Get on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is extremely easy and very important to have. It lists all of your professional achievements and experiences. It is an advantage to have a complete profile on LinkedIn so that clients have the option to see how accomplished you are. Having information on LinkedIn will not only help you keep in contact with current clients and co-workers but it will make it easy for you to reconnect with past colleagues and stay in the know on what they are up to.

4.)  Be in the Know

There are so many great technologies out there for event planners to connect with and staying in the know on what’s available can be difficult. PlannerTech is a great event to help you learn about and even try out some great technologies for Event Planners. This bi-annual event presented by imbookin and Liz King Events took place in New York and DC in 2011. This year the event will happen on May 17th in NYC with some more cool, new tech companies presenting. Audience response devices, table seating software, mobile and virtual event applications are just some of the technology that has been presented in the past. To learn about past companies including IML, Social Tables, Event Farm,  Hashable, Twoppy, Top Quark, imbookin, Pathable, GrandStand, One ClipBoard, ShareSquare and more check out http://plannertech.com.

5.)  Book Online! 

Does this even need explanation? As an Event Planner the most important tech resolution for you to stick to is to book your event and meeting location online. Sign up to start booking with imbookin.com! We make booking an event easy as can be. You can find available locations, pricing, and reviews all in one place. Does it get any better than that?

I hope everyone had a happy new year and is ready to stick to those resolutions! Use technology to your advantage this year and make yourself even more successful.  Now it’s your turn to let us know, what do you think are some of the best ways to use technology this year?

- Written by Heather Newman

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Posted in Bookers, Plannin, Sellin, Tips

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Beta Club – Are you bookin?

Posted on November 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

We are excited to announce today the imbookin Beta Club!

The Beta Club is an exclusive group of imbookin users. The club is currently open only to event location managers. Members of the Beta Club have full access to all merchandising and managing features, personal registration support and education, invites to special events, and top tier placement in various marketing and promotions of the new site, and much more. Membership and all perks are currently complimentary and available only to locations that sign up before Dec 20th.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Announcements, Featured Bookers and Location Managers, imbookin News, Sellin, Tips

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3 Ways to Reach More Bookers Online

Posted on October 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

How do you reach Event Planners and Bookers online? Now a days, everyone is online learning, connecting and sharing. Here are 3 tips to help you reach more planners online.

1. Promote your offerings, everywhere

There are over 6 Billion people using the internet. Do you have information listed online? Where? If you didn’t answer ‘yes’ and ‘everywhere’ then start typing. Expand your internet presence by listing your location, everywhere. The more the better!

2. Get Social

Be in the conversation, not on the sidelines or missing out completely. Share pictures on Facebook, Tweet your availability, and stop by LinkedIn and Quora to share the news of your location.

3. Partner, Partner, Partner!

Why do everything by yourself? Partner with us and we will help spread the word about your location, for FREE! Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, LinkedIn, Quora and more. We L-O-V-E to talk about the venues we work with! Think of us as your brand ambassadors completely dedicated to spreading the word about your event space. Check out just a FEW examples:

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Foursquare

Want more? We also promote venues on Quora and our Blog too! Check out some of the Blog Features we have done: Venue Reviews, Featured Event Space Manager and Weekly Seasonal, Venue Type Specific Features.

Want us to promote you? Sign up! It takes 3 minutes or less, and its free for venues.

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Posted in Sellin, Tips

4 Ways to Reach More Planners and Book More Private Events and Meetings

Posted on February 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

#1: TELL YOUR CUSTOMERS ABOUT YOUR SPACE

How many of the people walking in and out of your location know you offer great packages for private events and meetings? Communicate with all customers and passerbyers by placing information at the front of your venue! Tell them personally by including “Book Your Event” promotional cards as a check presenter or in a visible space at your front desk, host stand, or other area, are a great way to connect with each individual customer. Contact us at Pogby for FREE promotional cards we provide to all venues to help them spread the word about their private event spaces.

#2  PROMOTE ON YOUR WEBSITE

You already have people coming to your site but they can ONLY call or email you. What if you aren’t there? What if they just had one simple question? What if they just want to book?!? Put a “BOOK NOW” link on your website to let your customers get the information they want 24/7 from your venue’s booking page powered by Pogby – when you aren’t there to answer questions, let them find the answers online! Provide customer service all day, every day and show your customers how convenient it is to book an event or meeting at your venue.

#3  CREATE SPECIAL DEALS AND OFFERS

Are there certain days or times you want more business?  Tell people about it! Offer upgrades, waive room rentals, just throw something extra in. If you create specials, make sure to let Pogby know so we can promote it to all the planners online at no cost to you! We send daily and weekly communications to our community of professional event and meeting planners promoting offers from venues, tell us your offer and we will make sure to spread the word.

#4  NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

Have you ever heard of Facebook? What about that thing called Twitter? Do you know about Groupon and Foursquare? Well if not… its time to start googling. Social networking is the newest rage and a great way to connect with your current customers, future customers and show the world you are innovative and “in the know”. Pogby is an active networker and we consistently tell our social circle about the great offerings from Pogby venues. So lets team up and tackle the internet one tweet at a time! Make sure to Follow Pogby on Twitter, Like Pogby on Facebook and Connect with Pogby on LinkedIn so can spread the word online together.

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Posted in Sellin, Tips

Your Very Own Pogby VME (aka Venue Merchandising Expert)

Posted on December 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

Make that venue live! Get the capacities. How many hours can it be booked? These were a few of the many new things I had to learn when starting at Pogby three months ago. Jumping right in to my new position as a VME ( Venue Merchandising Expert ) there were about a million things I needed to grasp, and quickly too. Luckily, I have a great cast of characters, I mean co-workers, around the office that have helped me, just as it is now part of my responsibilities to help Venue Managers with their registration for Pogby.com.

Something I always encourage Venue Managers to take advantage of is the Pogby VME – we are here to help! There are many ways to keep contact between the VME and Venue Manager. Some of the best are though e-mail, phone,in person and live chat, but anyway to keep the contact lines open is acceptable including smoke signals or carrier pigeons! Our goal at Pogby is to make is easy for people to book your spaces for private events and meetings, which is why uploading the correct and up-to-date package information is so important. Venues can take a while to get up and running, but some venue managers are rock stars from the start such as the Heartland Breweries, Caedmon Spaces the 21 Club. Having their information and images ready to go we were able to speed through registration and get their venues posted on Pogby.com.

Registration through Pogby is an easy three step process. When signing up, you will fill out basic information pertaining to your venue, including venue name, email address and creating your password . Once the initial information is filled out, the venue manager will receive an e-mail with instructions for Step 1. These instructions consist of uploading contact and booking information as well as additional venue details. Pogby has come up with some recommendations for these figures if your venue does not have set data. Dont forget to read out tips found throughout registration! Finally for Step 1, would be to upload you spaces. When creating spaces be sure to have information at hand due to the fact Pogby has space requirements so that we may promote your space correctly after registration. Pictures and floor plans are also encouraged.

After, these areas are completed it is on to Step 2, packages. These can range from a flat fee, minimum guarantees, cocktail receptions, meeting packages or pre-fixed meals and many more! Depending on your type of venue you may have one to one hundred different packages. At Pogby, we recommend uploading your best sellers aka the most popular packages to be booked in the past. We also come across many venues with very flexible packages and pricing, in this case we recommended uploading your basic packages with the starting price and then encourage the venue manager to up-sell or cross-sell. As the venue manager you may also apply different packages to different spaces, capacities and event day of the week and time of the day. Remember its all about letting the planner know how much it costs to just get in the door. And just like that Step 2 is finished!

Time for Step 3, the review, the final step. Your Pogby VME will send over a link so that you, the venue manger, can look through your venue’s page before it is launched on Pogby.com. Once we have the “OK” we can start going after the goal of Pogby, getting the venue some more bookings! Remember nothing is set in stone either. As the venue manager you have full access to log-in and update, change, add, delete any information 24/7. So lets get your venue launched!

As stated earlier, I am a Pogby VME ( Venue Merchandising Expert), here to help every step of the way.

-Kevin Ginty

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Posted in bookin, Sellin, Tips

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Make More Money. Today (with the Pogby Partner Network!)

Posted on August 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

We’re excited to announce the launch of the “Pogby Partner Network!”  This innovative affiliate program is designed for exceptional website partners to offer Pogby as a unique venue booking solution to their customers.  Pogby, being the first to allow the online booking of meetings and events, is excited to be the first to have an innovative affiliate program for online venue bookings in the meetings and events industry.

The Pogby Partner Network offers two types of marketing programs to help you develop your own meetings and events business:

Pogby Branded Program – Allow your website to feature Pogby as a meetings and events industry partner at no cost. This relationship gives you the opportunity to earn a commission when your referrals book meetings or events. Plus, it is easy to integrate into your site.

Private Branded Program – This is a privately branded product that enables you, the Pogby partner, to customize the look and feel of the site with minimal Pogby branding. This solution provides generous revenue share and our partner support is supreme. There are minimal upfront fees for our technology, and implementation is quick and easy!

To learn more, click here

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You get to decide which program is best for your business. Either way, you will get the highest level of customer support and service available.  Not to mention, a leadership position with having booking capabilities from your website!

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Posted in Sellin, Tips