Pow Wow Website Fails at Basic Usability and Design

Last week, I mentioned how excited I am that the folks from Pow Wow are bringing their travel convention to Miami. Even though they snubbed our request for press pass, it is an honor they chose Miami Beach to be the host city, and if you ask me, says something about us being the great vacation destination we are.

But I have a bone to pick with you, Pow Wow. I find it surprising that the largest travel convention in the world has such a poorly designed website. What makes your site so bad is, you keep all the important information about the convention locked inside gigantic PDF documents that takes minutes to open. I thought travel planners were supposed to be web savvy folks?

Since I’m going to the convention, I thought it would be helpful for other attendees if I pulled out the important details and put them here in a blog post:

What Is Pow Wow, And Why The Silly Name?

The Pow Wow website states “International Pow Wow is the largest generator of Visit USA travel with more than $4 billion worth of future business expected to be booked this year in Miami.”

As far as the name, Wikipedia says:

A pow-wow is a gathering of North America’s Native people. The word derives from the Narragansett Indian word powwaw, meaning “spiritual leader”.

After reading that, the name is not silly at all.

How Much Does The Convention Cost To Attend?

Pow Wow charges $1,595 for domestic travel buyers, like you, me, and companies like Viator and Miami Beach 411. The cost of International buyers is: $995.

For travel sellers, companies like Expedia and Miami Tour Company, costs vary depending on your booth size:

If you don’t want to buy a ticket, volunteers are needed to assist with the Convention in the following areas: Tour Sign Up, Meet and Greet, Special Event Hosts, Interpreters, Receptionists, and Door Monitors. Learn more

International Pow Wow at Miami Beach Convention Center

The Convention at a glance:

• Free sightseeing tours on Saturday and Sunday.
• Seminars and Sessions on Sunday only.
• Appointments begin Monday.

All sessions will be held in the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Saturday, May 16
8:00 am - 5:30 pm - Registration Open
8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Booth Set-Up for Exhibitors
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Local Sightseeing Tours

The evening is open to explore Miami.
Sunday, May 17
08:00 am - 5:30 pm Registration Open
08:00 am - 5:00 pm Booth Set-Up for Exhibitors
08:00 am VISIT FLORIDA Golf Tournament, Doral Golf Resort and Spa
9:00 am - 10:00 am International Pow Wow Orientation Session.
10:00 am - 12:00 noon Market Update Educational Session
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Local Sightseeing Tours
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Evening Event: Under The Stars On South Beach
Monday, May 18
7:30 am - 1:00 pm Registration Open
8:30 am - 9:30 am Appointment Scheduling Session

Media Marketplace - Session I
9:15 am - 12:00 pm   Press visit participating U.S. Suppliers at their tables.

9:35 am - 12:25 pm Business Appointments
12:40 pm - 1:40 pm Lunch (Sponsored by: Wyndham Hotel Group)
1:45 pm - 2:10 pm Open Networking Time
2:15 - 5:05 pm Business Appointments
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Media Marketplace - Session II
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - U.S. Suppliers visit Press at their tables (Sponsored by: CityPass, Inc.)
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Evening Event - Miami Spice Dining Extravaganza
Tuesday, May 19
8:00 am - 1:00 pm Registration Open
8:30 am - 8:55 am Open Appointment Session
9:00 am - 12:15 pm Business Appointments
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch (Sponsored by: Texas Tourism)
1:35 pm - 2:05 pm Open Networking Time
2:10 pm - 5:50 pm Business Appointments
Evening Open for Private Events
Wednesday, May 20
8:00 am - 1:00 pm Registration
8:30 am - 12:10 pm Business Appointments
12:25 pm - 1:25 pm Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:10 pm Open Networking Time
2:15 pm - 4:00 pm Business Appointments
4:00 pm $10,000 Prize Drawing (For Buyers Only. Must be present to win!)
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Evening Event - A Spectacular Farewell - Miami Arts & Culture Showcase

Where’s The 411 About Miami?

Another thing that annoys me about the website, they don’t have any good information about the city hosting the Convention. So, here are a few links that might come in handy for convention attendees:

• Chat With A Miami Expert Now
• Miami Restaurants (A to Z)
• The Down and Dirty on South Beach Dive Bars
• A Peek Inside the Beach’s Best Hotel Pools
• The Official Guide To Miami Strip Clubs and Topless Bars
• A Guide To Gambling In South Florida
• Sightseeing Tours & Day Trips
• Discussion Forum & Networking For Visitors

And since this is the “International” Pow Wow Convention, we should make it easy for International visitors to learn the most common travel industry terms before they arrive.

My Final Complaint About Pow Wow’s Website

Your shopping cart is broke.

Even after upgrading to the most recent version of Flash, I still cannot purchase tickets on my computer from your website.

It’s never too late for a re-design.

Feel free to track me down at the Convention, and we can discuss how to make your site more user-friendly.

Related Links: • Pow Wow at Miami Beach Convention Center • Comparing Coconut Grove to South Beach… Don’t Even Try, Tom Related Categories: Miami: Travel News, Technology, Gus Moore heads up Miami Beach 411 as site administrator. You can reach him at 1-305-754-2206. See more articles by Gus. See more articles by Gus Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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