Promoting their flagship product to top C‑level personnel throughout Europe and the US was the order of the day.

bda conducted an extensive study into C‑Level personnel six months prior to the delivery of the project to gain a complete understanding of the target audience and to identify an appropriate method for communicating the Siemens message. It was decided that a series of events, would be the most effective way to engage with this notoriously difficult audience, providing a face‑to‑face environment, rather than relying on print and web based marketing to do all the talking. As a result 'A Meeting of Open Minds' was born.

A series of Global events, totaling 5 across the US and 4 across Europe, with guest speakers and industry professionals presenting to C‑level delegates on key issues affecting their business and positioning how Siemens Enterprise Communications' solution can help.

The collateral consisted of a high quality invitation clearly setting out the rational behind "A Meeting of Open Minds" and detailing the guest speakers.

Following the printed invitations, a series of follow‑up emails were distributed. Email communication was selected due to their high trackability, enabling Siemens Enterprise Communications to ensure all potential delegates had received some form of correspondence prior to any call centre activity.

All delegate registration information was collated through a web, with the data then being used in the production of their personalised delegate packs, which were given out on the day.

Following the event, bda generated a series of web portals, accessible only by those who attended the events. On the portal were all white papers, case studies, presentations, images and pod‑casts from the event, allowing them to download any information of interest.

The events were considered such a success we are now producing an internal 'How to' portal, giving any of Siemens Enterprise Communications global regions a guide to organising and running such an event.