OMCA

Helpful Hints – Buyers

We want our delegates to feel as prepared as possible for our events so that they can get the most benefits possible out of our events. The following Helpful Hints will assist you in navigating this year’s OMCA Marketplace.

The MyOMCA Event Portal
This Event Portal is Your Pre-Event Tool. On October 23rd, find the link to the MyOMCA portal and details on how to update your profile and resources at https://omca.com/events/marketplace/my-omca-portal/

Buyer Profile Form

In the MyOMCA Portal (opens October 23rd), it is important to review your entire profile to ensure that it is thorough and accurate. The more details you include, the better sellers can prepare for their appointment with you and helps mitigate the chances of meeting with sellers who do not have products relevant to your business. This is the most important tool that sellers use in selecting appointments.

Orientation

On November 6th at 12:00 pm, OMCA is hosting an online session for all Buyers with details on how to use the online appointment scheduling tools and what to expect from OMCA appointments. Register here to attend that session.

What You Should Bring to Marketplace

We recommend bringing with you an ample supply of business cards and business casual attire. One of the evening events is hosted at an indoor/outdoor venue, so please bring warm outdoor attire.

Online Appointment Scheduling

  • Know Your Timeline
    Keep an eye on the important dates when it comes to creating an effective appointment schedule. If you miss your chance to request appointments, it will have a drastic negative effect on the quality of appointments in your final schedule.
    1. October 23rd: MyOMCA portal opens for delegates to do their research
    1. November 6th to 17th: Appointment Selection is open
    1. November 27th: Schedules are released, and you will have the opportunity to make additional manual requests to fill available appointment slots.
  • Review/Request Early and Often
    Requesting appointments will mark you on the seller’s portal as “Someone Who Requested Me”, which makes it easier for the seller to know that you are interested in their product. NOTE: Mutual requests are always scheduled with first priority.Be sure to check back in the portal often to see if there are new sellers registered or new requests for you that could be reciprocated.
  • Breaks
    All buyers receive a double appointment break for every Marketplace Session. These breaks can be self-scheduled through the appointment selection system between November 6th and November 17th. If no breaks are selected, the algorithm will select the break times for you.

Onsite Appointments

  • Appointments Schedules are Available Online Only
    On November 27th, your appointment schedules can be found online through the MyOMCA Event Portal and the OMCA Marketplace Mobil App. If you wish to have a printed copy, please print yours before you arrive.  Manual scheduling will be available throughout the event, so the most accurate and up-to-date schedule will be in the mobile app.
     
  • Two Days of 8-Minute Appointments
    Each of your appointments is a total of eight (8) minutes in length, including travel time. Appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. on both days. All sellers will have their appointments on both days, with only small breaks blocked for lunch and education sessions.
  • Buyers Sit and Sellers Move
    This means that during Marketplace, buyers will remain seated in their booths, and the sellers will move from one appointment to the next.

Marketplace Appointments

The Marketplace format of pre-scheduled appointments is a proven and effective method of matching buyers to sellers.  Buyers are seated and the sellers move through the one-on-one, eight-minute appointments. Please be considerate to sellers and refrain from cancelling appointments the day of. If you must cancel an appointment, please do so before the start of marketplace.

Appointment No-Shows

Please make note of any “No-Show” sellers in the mobile app by selecting the missed appointment slot and choosing “No Show” in the menu.

Use the Mobile App to Access and Adjust Appointments

The Marketplace Mobile App is the only method that OMCA will provide your schedule onsite. If you wish, you may print your schedule from the MyOMCA portal in advance however it will not reflect changes made onsite through the mobile app’s manual scheduling.

When Should You Arrive?

We would advise arriving on the morning of Monday, December 11th to take advantage of the tour operator education sessions that afternoon. Arrive early if you want to participate in the morning shopping tour to Vaughan Mills.

Marketplace Timeline

  • Monday, December 11th
    • 9:45 am-12:00 pm – Vaughn Mills Shopping Trip (optional) departs at 9:45 am sharp (includes a gift from Vaughan Mills) – sign up here
    • 12:00 pm-5:00 pm – Tour Operator Lunch and afternoon sessions, including mini-marketplace
    • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Buyer Reception hosted by Access Marketing
    • 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Opening Night Reception at The Second City Toronto
  • Tuesday, December 12th
    • Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and we encourage all operators to attend as these meals are sponsored by supporting OMCA members.
    • Marketplace appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th and Wednesday, December 13th. It is a good idea to arrive at your booth a few minutes before your first appointment.  
    • Evening Reception from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Illumi, Dazzling World of Lights
  • Wednesday, December 13th
    • Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and we encourage all operators to attend as these meals are sponsored by supporting OMCA members.
    • Marketplace appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th and Wednesday, December 13th. It is a good idea to arrive at your booth a few minutes before your first appointment.  
    • Dine around dinner
    • Party With a Purpose, 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm, tickets $50 in support of the OMCA development fund

Buyer Rebate Program (Members Only)

Let your business pay for itself with the Buyer Rebate Program.  OMCA provides a rebate of up to three nights’ accommodations at the host hotel for tour operators who fulfill the following:

  • Update and complete the online profile
  • Attend all pre-scheduled appointments
  • Book in the Buyer Block at the host hotel
  • Submit their receipt to laura@omca.com post-event

Travel Rebate Program (New Members Only)

OMCA will provide a travel rebate of up to $200 for new member tour operators who fulfill the following:

  • Attend all pre-scheduled appointments
  • Submit travel receipts or mileage to laura@omca.com post-event

If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact us at 416-229-6622.

We look forward to seeing you at the OMCA Marketplace!

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
info@omca.com