Michael Kushner, Vice President, Digital Media Strategy of UBM Studios to Speak at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® Mid-America Conference & Expo

CHICAGO, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM Studios today announced that Michael Kushner, Vice President, Digital Media Strategy, will present at Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® Mid-America Conference and Expo, which motivates planners and vendors from all sectors of the meetings and incentive travel industries, who attend looking for quality resources and education to enhance their meetings and events.  The event will take place April 13-14, 2011 at the Navy Pier in Chicago.

Kushner will present "Mix it Up: Integrating Virtual Events into Your Business" session, which will take place Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Kushner will discuss how virtual events have become a go-to resource for organizations in every market.  Some companies have adopted these online technologies as a result of dramatically reduced budgets, while others use them to augment and enhance live events and meetings.  Regardless of the reason, virtual solutions can enable organizations to gain a competitive advantage, improve communications and increase lead generation and marketing.  As a valuable lead generation tool and a virtual playground for attendees to interact, many companies are left trying to figure out how to integrate a virtual experience into their businesses.  This presentation will examine event strategy, target audience development and the myriad of virtual business solutions on the market today.  In addition, Kushner will highlight case studies of virtual success stories showcasing how any organization can benefit from a virtual solution.

"Event planners are beginning to realize that hybrid events are the new 'black' and are incorporating virtual components into their multi-dimensional brands.  I'm looking forward to discussing how to integrate a virtual presence, without taking away from a physical event, to create a new and improved version of any event," said Kushner.

UBM offers a complete virtual environment solution as a Marketing-as-a-Service (MaaS), from the production and creation of virtual environments to the content development, recruitment, custom creative development and the management of audiences within the virtual environment. 

Kushner has a track record of significantly growing revenue and profit by monetizing content/information through innovative, interactive delivery platforms in both domestic and global markets.  Kushner led the streaming media business for the Business Media division of the Nielsen Company where he oversaw a $3m+ business that produced over 150 webcasts, 200 event videos and 20 virtual expos and conferences.  Additionally, Kushner launched Reed Business Interactive at Reed Elsevier and produced one of the first enterprise virtual trade shows as an extension of a trade publication. He also pioneered ads webcast series, trade show video and video product showcases as media extensions, building a multimillion dollar business.   Kushner was also founder of Virtual Media Strategies, a consulting firm that developed ancillary lines of business integrating print, on-line, events and custom media, transforming one-dimensional products into multimedia brands. 

For additional information on UBM Studios or to purchase a virtual business solution, contact Michele McPhail at (773) 687-4321 or [email protected].

To follow UBM Studios on Twitter, visit http://twitter.com/UBMStudios, to follow on Facebook, visit UBM Studios and to follow on LinkedIn, visit UBM Studios. 

About HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®

HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® offers attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with exhibiting companies during a unique exposition that showcases venues, products and services to help produce various types of meetings and events. Year-after-year, the highly-acclaimed trade exposition is a main attraction for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers who are determined to help produce valuable meetings and assist with purchasing decisions. Exhibitors represent hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers. HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by J. Spargo & Associates. Visit www.affordablemeetings.com or email [email protected] for more information.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals & their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI's Affordable Meetings, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Management Strategy Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at www.hsmai.org, www.facebook.com/hsmai, www.twitter.com/hsmai and www.youtube.com/hsmai1.

About UBM Studios (www.ubmstudios.com)

UBM Studios leads the industry in world class user engagement for virtual environments, social networking and gaming.  A global marketing service, UBM Studios delivers content, audience and in-depth analytics driving deeper award winning user engagement paired with vision, process and execution.

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities -- from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists -- with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.ubm.com.

Contact
Michele McPhail
UBM Studios
773 687 4321
[email protected]

SOURCE UBM Studios