Hope to see you at the VAB Convention!

      Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel

Montpelier. VT

 

VAB CONVENTION SCHEDULE
8:30 - 9:15 Registration and Coffee
9:30 - 11:30 Increase Sales with Mark Levy of Revenue Development Resources
9:30 - 11:30 Political Advertising Refresher Course with David Oxenford and Scott Goodwin
Noon - 1:30 Commercial of the Year Awards Luncheon - main ballroom
1:45 - 3:15 Profiting from Social Media with Karen Travis of Advantage Systems
1:45 - 3:45 Increase Sales with Mark Levy of Revenue Development Resources
1:45 - 3:45 Programming Essentials with John Lund of the Lund Group
Please note that Mark Levy will be presenting morning and afternoon seminars.  The seminars will cover different topics. Morning session: “I Work Here… But What Is It That I Do?” This session answers that question by covering key concepts behind consultant-style selling . . .and feedback from awesome sellers! “This is Me at Hoover Dam, and This Is Me at The Grand Canyon . . .”  If there is anything worse than being forced to watch the neighbors’ travel videos, we don’t want to know what that is! Unfortunately, we do the same thing when we talk about the features of our stations instead of the benefits. You’ll learn the differences between the two as well as how to make your story better. Afternoon session: “Killer and Killers of Ad Copy.”  What you convey and how you convey it can be the difference between a great campaign and a miserable failure for your client. We’ll help you write better copy than you ever thought you could, we promise! “And Behold, A Green Rider Came Forth . . .  And His Name Was Gumby!”  Did you ever make a call and it just didn’t “feel” right? We’ll teach you how to recognize and sell each of the many personality types! And as you master this skill set, you’ll see your clients looking at you in a whole new way. (Think, “Making sure the stories you are telling your clients do a better job of getting through to them).

PROTECT YOUR STATION WITH ABIP IN 2012

The VAB is pleased to announce that it is increasing its financial help to all stations who wish to take part in the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) in 2012.  In the past, our stations paid $150 towards the overall inspection cost (which is now $475).  For 2012, the station contribution has been reduced to $50 if the contract agreement is executed before July 1, or $100 if the contract is executed on or after July 1!  This is perhaps the single greatest ongoing member benefit provided by the VAB.

ABOUT THE ABIP PROGRAM

Every three years, stations may schedule a mock FCC inspection by Robert Shotwell of Spectrum Investigative Services.  The cost of the ABIP inspection is $475, of which the VAB will pay $425 and the station will pay $50 if the contract agreement is executed before July 1, 2012.  If the contract agreement (including scheduling of the inspection, completed station ABIP agreement and receipt of the station operator contribution) is received on or after July 1, 2012, the VAB will pay $375 and each station will pay $100.  All station inspections must be scheduled to occur during the 2012 calendar year to be eligible for a VAB subsidy.

Once a contract has been signed, fees paid and an inspection scheduled, the VAB will notify the FCC that an inspection is pending, and the FCC will not visit the station for a regular inspection.  Once the inspection is successfully completed, a certificate will be issued to the station (and a copy sent to the FCC) that will protect your station against a surprise inspection for a three-year period.  Stations, however, are not immune from complaint-driven inspections. 

Bob Shotwell will be in touch with all of the stations to set up a schedule.  ABIP contract agreements may be downloaded by clicking HERE.

IS YOUR STATION PURCHASING A NEW CAP-COMPLIANT EAS DECODER?  YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REBATE OF UP TO $1000 FROM THE  VAB!DOWNLOAD THE REIMBURSEMENT APPLICATION HERE.