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Zibrant is a global provider of end-to-end event services and has worked with direct selling companies for many years. Jacquie Freer, Business Development Director, is the Account Manager for the direct selling business, with overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the partnership, ensuring Zibrant continues to go the ‘extra mile’ and negotiates the best deals and provides the best solutions, particularly in these challenging economic times.

Jacquie prides herself on delivering a professional but personal service incorporating the key company value of ‘client marriages’, through building relationships with the client to ensure the Zibrant team becomes an extension of the client’s team, completely attuned to and focused on achieving the client’s objectives on time, on brand and on budget. A great example of this approach was the World Federation Congress held in London a few years ago. That event was two years in the planning working with the team from the DSA, and involved 3,000 room nights, group transfers, event management, offsite dinners and several individual meetings held alongside the main conference. A challenging but exciting event that received fantastic feedback for the whole steering committee.

We spoke to Jacquie about her views on the current economic climate and its impact on direct sellers. She said: “As many companies are reporting economic downturn we are pleased to observe that the direct selling industry remains strong and Zibrant looks forward to continuing to work in partnership on a global basis. I believe that ‘thinking out of the box’ and providing innovative solutions will be critical in the success of us all. I also believe it is important to develop strong relationships with suppliers and leverage opportunities for the long-term benefit of both Zibrant and our direct sales clients.”

Zibrant has recently opened an Asia Pacific Office, in direct response to client requirements, and we took the opportunity to speak to Jacquie about this development which can add real value to those direct selling companies that have a need in this vibrant area. She said: “The move was originally led by high demand for events in the Asia Pacific region, in particular, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam and Singapore. These are all destinations where the DSA is active, and more importantly Asia Pacific is still showing sustained growth.”

Jacquie travels regularly between the UK and Asia as it is important to continue to meet with her large base of corporate clients in the UK, and the Asia knowledge is proving valuable in further enhancing the personal service Zibrant delivers. Jacquie has developed strong relationships with key hotel groups driving hotel prices lower and gaining a better understanding of cultural differences. Equally clients based in Asia have started to utilise the broad knowledge base that Zibrant has in the UK and Europe, for events coming out of Asia. We challenged Jacquie with a couple of questions.

What can Zibrant bring to direct selling companies worldwide?

Jacquie: As a major meeting, incentives, conference and events agent we hope to create opportunities not only for clients but also for the local industry players such as destination management companies who over and above their normal services offer a vital link in ensuring cultural differences and local business etiquette are recognised and incorporated into best practice. Additionally with budgetary travel constraints, the added value of having someone who understands the client needs can potentially remove the need for site inspections.

What will be the benefit to the client?

Jacquie: We already deliver our event services on a global basis but having fixed bases in Europe and Asia will develop stronger relationships, and provide ‘knowledge on the ground’. We believe that the building of relationships face to face will foster successful partnerships with our suppliers and provide them with a greater understanding of our client’s needs. This also provides strategic benefits in being able to leverage consolidated spend on an increased global level.

Background Information on Zibrant

Chris Parnham, Managing Director of Zibrant explained about how the model works, “Jacquie is focused on servicing the needs of our clients that operate or visit the Asia-Pacific region, and supported by our specialist teams back at base in our UK offices, her clients get the best of both worlds – local knowledge and influence, strengthened by a backbone of stability and experience.

Our core values are Pride, Passion, Creativity and Leadership and we hope to continue to demonstrate this to all our clients, wherever they operate.”

The range of services provided by Zibrant include:

• Venue Find
• Event Production
• Event Management
• Incentives and Performance Management
• Video
• Group Travel