2007 Training Conference
(Click the link above to register.)

Where: University of Denver in Denver, Colorado

To learn about the University go to www.DU.edu

When: July 30th thru August 2nd, 2007 (Mon thru Thurs)

Links on this Page:

Conference

Conference Agenda  (Last updated 5/18/2007)

Conference Schedule  (Last updated 5/18/2007)

Lodging

What to Expect

Justifying the Cost - and Venue

Testimonials from past Conferences

Conference

The Conference agenda is wholly dedicated to helping DialVision Administrators, Managers, and Supervisors become better acquainted with the power of the DialVision software, so they can return to their organizations and use it more effectively. Being effective allows the users to spend less time wrestling with the system and more time focusing on how to use DialVision to positively impact the campaign.

Preliminary Session Topics

If you have a suggestion for a topic, please email us with your idea and we will try and incorporate it into a session.

1. Accounts / Funds: How can I make account or fund selection easier for callers: naming conventions and activating/inactivating for different segments.
2. Reasons: Learn the flexibility of using reasons for any outcome.
3. Outcomes: Adding new outcomes – when to add a new outcome or use existing. How are reports affected? How are my stats affected?
4. Custom User Defined Fields: Adding or changing your user defined custom fields - when should I change them? How will this affect my past Prospect data? How will this affect my next import? Custom User Defined Fields are now 80 characters long – what are the benefits to this?
5. Dataset: What exactly does the dataset do and when do I need a new one? Advantages and disadvantages to using separate datasets. Import and Post Shift requirements of using separate datasets.
6. Campaigns and Lists: Should I reuse Campaigns and Lists from year to year or create new ones each year? What do I gain from using new Campaigns and Lists each year? Will I still be able to get comparisons if I use the same List each year?
7. Matching Gifts: Are you leaving money on the table? Take advantage of matching gifts.
8. Automatic credit card processing: learn which standard interfaces are available and the advantages of using one.

1. Techniques for modifying scripts or pieces of the script. How to clone an existing script and make changes to create new one.
2. How to apply emphasis on the text in your script so it stands out for the caller.
3. Benefits of using an advanced script, such as a bulleted or one question script.
4. Creating, using and managing database fields in your scripts.
5. Learn how to use calculated ask amounts to your best advantage in your scripts.
6. Learn the different ways to gather information from my prospects via the script.

1. What causes, and how to correct, that infamous Data Pump error during imports.
2. How do I add a new field to my import file?
3. When a prospect is not imported into DialVision because of bad or missing phone numbers, what should I do to correct this?
4. How can I update the data in DialVision without re-importing the data? What are the different ways I can purge prospects?
5. How do I deal with duplicate prospects?

1. Making omit selections work: setting up dial omits, state/area omits, specific prospects omit.
2. Using your custom user defined fields in your selection criteria to pull specific prospects for calling or omitting.
3. Learn the difference between the priority and order in your selection group and when to create new groups.
4. Using the Selection Export option to create a text file for use in other packages, such as Excel.
5. What should I do to run my day calls?

1. Learn to correct caller mistakes using the Touched Records or Incomplete Transactions menu and Prospect Maintenance.
2. How can I purge a prospect from DialVision that we decide not to call?
3. Prospect Purge Menu: learn the functions available through this menu – it’s more than purging.
4. Post Shift and Fulfillment Files: What is the best way to take full advantage of my post shift and fulfillment files? Can I use these files to manipulate data in third party software, such as Excel or Access? Can I create a Pledge or Gift post shift file to automatically update my Host system? What happens if Post Shift fails?
5. Ways to do some information gathering with your prospects – using standard DialVision functions, such as script free form answers, outcome reasons, follow-up, and send info.
6. Gaining valuable information using ad-hoc reports.

1. How many prospects will I need for my call center each night? What if I run out of prospects?
2. How can I tell how many prospects are available?
3. What do I need to do to run a different shift, such as Sunday, late night, or day shift?
4. Advantages and disadvantages of using Teams.
5. Learn how to use our standard reports to manage selections, scripts, and callers.
6. Hear about our new reports.
7. Troubleshooting Basics: Calling issues and how to resolve: Caller can’t log in, No prospects available, Logging in when no active shift, etc. Computer issues: checking your IE settings, your internet access, your network access, etc. How to train your phone center supervisor on what items to check first.

1. What do I need to do each Fall or Spring to get ready for my next call session?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages to cleaning out my prospect list and log files?
3. Why do I need to test my computers and dialing devices before the start of each campaign?

1. What are my choices? Advantages and disadvantages of each device.
2. Reporting stats based on each dialing device.
3. Setup, testing, and troubleshooting the devices.
4. Bring your questions and “ask the source” at this informative topic.

1. SQL – using queries to pull information about your phonathon.
2. DTS packages – learning how to create or modify your import and export packages.
3. DialVision table structure – learn where data is located within the DialVision database.

1. Enhancements for the next release of DialVision.
2. SaaS vs. ASP – new terminology for our service. What to expect from us as a SaaS.

Lodging

The Conference will be held at the University of Denver, with lodging in their new Nelson Hall.  Many customers suggested having the Conference hosted by a school, and making the Conference more affordable by using dormitory lodging.  It is certainly more affordable.  The nightly rate is less than one-third of last year's rate in Vail. 

Housing our adult attendees in a dorm will be an interesting experiment.   I suspect some will look forward to reliving their "good old college days". 

Neither couples nor children will be allowed in the residence hall.  If you will be accompanied by either a spouse or guest of a different gender, or if you just don't want to re-live that great college experience, alternative lodging has been arranged at local hotels.  Contact Tracy Jones at 970-535-9500 for hotel lodging information.

Nelson Hall is air conditioned with suite-style lodging, holding from 2 to 6 people per suite with a shared common space that includes a refrigerator, microwave, bathroom, shower and vanity.

For details about Nelson Hall go to http://slife.du.edu/housing/living/nelson.html.  To reserve a room Call Tracy Jones at MoonFire (970) 535-9500 ext 101

The Conference rate is:

The University will be invoicing MoonFire for all room charges and will not accept reservations from other sources.  The group rate has been extended for attendees for three days prior to and after the conference, so feel free to add a little vacation to the front or back end of the conference.

Meals

Breakfast and Lunch in the Nelson Hall food court/cafeteria is included with your registration fee for Monday thru Thursday.  Your registration fee also includes food and entertainment for Monday and Tuesday evenings. 

Getting to the University

We recommend that you fly into Denver (DIA), and take a taxi to the University.  Once at the University, you won’t need a car.  The address for Nelson Hall is 2222 South High Street.

Getting Around

If you are staying at Nelson Hall you won't need a car to get around Denver.  This year they opened a new Light Rail station at the school.  You can travel south to the Marriott Denver South which is right on the rail line, or you can travel to downtown Denver.  MoonFire will be providing each attendee with a four-day Light Rail pass, which is included in your Registration Fee.

Air Travel

Denver’s International Airport:  (DIA) is the fifth busiest airport in the U.S. with more than 1,100 flights daily an direct flights to 108 cities.  The airport is beautiful.

What to Expect

The climate - Denver normally enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year.  Comfortably low humidity adds to perfect daytime temperatures which average 90 degrees in the daytime and 70 degrees at night.  Although the days are plenty warm, you probably won’t be comfortable in shorts late into the evening. 

The sun - take away the protection of the bottom mile of the atmosphere and you wind up with very intense sun rays.  Don’t forget the sun block, a hat, or a visor.

Alcohol - because of the altitude, less oxygen is available for your blood stream.  Fortunately the math is simple.  One drink will be the equivalent of two.  Don’t over do it.

Endurance - don’t accept any bets on long-distance races.  With less oxygen, you will become fatigued easily.  Just about the time you start to acclimate to the altitude, you’ll probably head home.

Rain - One more thing about the climate.  The summers are fantastic in Colorado.  Mornings usually start clear.  In the mid-afternoon we often get a 30-minute shower.  Then it clears up for the rest of the day and night.

Attire - The dress code for this conference is “casual”.  Please do not upstage the rest of us by showing up in business attire.   One Colorado weather forecaster says "There is no such thing as bad weather - just inappropriate clothing."  If you go out for an evening, consider taking a sweater.

Justifying the Cost

Although our 8-hour days are full of intense training, and the conference's evening events provide an excellent opportunity to pick the brains of your peers, it is a given that your management may initially balk at the idea of sending you to Denver. This may be a short-sighted decision.

1.  If you knew more about how others are utilizing the power of DialVision, wouldn't you be more effective in your Phonathon Campaigns?

2.  If you are more effective in your Phonathon Campaigns, won’t you generate more and larger pledges, and increased fulfillment?

3.  If you can increase your Phonathon revenues by $100,000, $20,000, or even $10,000 would that justify spending less than $2000 to help make that happen?

4.  Phonathon managers and supervisors work long hours. They may have stresses at home because they don't get home until 10:00pm - or later. Not only do they need the benefit of MoonFire's highly-focused training sessions; they deserve a break - and a reward.

5.  If you have MoonFire come to your site for training, the fees are $500 per day, plus travel expenses. With four days of training, your total cost would be between $2,500 and $3,000. Therefore, the $1,845 to receive the training at the Conference is a great deal!

Testimonials from Past Conferences

"The relaxing environment and clean mountain air created a learning setting free of distractions. The conference displayed no exception to MoonFire's creed- "Support the Client Always, and do it Cheerfully!"

The conference greatly improved my ability to choose, run and design reports. The MoonFire staff provided in-depth training on new reports and facilitated a discussion on how their reports can help us monitor and train callers, measure productivity, and evaluate our success. The reporting tools I learned at this conference will maximize my ability to address my phonathon's weaknesses and share my successes with the university's administration - at lightening speed!

The conference also provided hands-on training in Crystal Reports, SQL, data management, and Active X Scripting. MoonFire managed to transform a bunch of technologically-illiterate fundraisers into straight-up techies. This training will greatly reduce my dependence upon DialVision support, increase my efficiency in managing our prospect data, and assist me in trouble-shooting, importing, and reporting errors.

To me, the most valuable aspect of the conference was the ability to network with other DialVision clients and discuss how they use the software to raise funds for their university. MoonFire managed this conference in such a way that we were able to share ideas in a small-group, hands-on setting. Everyone had a computer. As we discussed our phonathon programs, each client gained new ideas - and had the opportunity to immediately discuss these ideas with the MoonFire staff in order to implement them using DialVision.

I have no doubt that having attended the conference will help me and my phonathon program raise more money for my university. I gained valuable skills that will help me reach more prospects, work more efficiently, and report our successes accurately and quickly. Needless to say, I'm anxiously awaiting the 2003 Conference!"  

Angela Vandenhaak, Assistant Director Annual Giving, Western Washington University 

"I just attended a four-day training session with other DialVision customers from across the country. It was great to meet the MoonFire staff in person. They have always been there to offer their support and help with any questions or concerns I might have about their software. I had been looking forward to attending this annual seminar to learn more about the upgrades they have made to the DialVision system. The software and support just keeps improving!

The majority of the upgrades they do to their system come from suggestions that DialVision customers have proposed. The training I received gave me a sense that I can take our call center to an even more productive level. I also enjoyed the discussions I had with the other DialVision customers. Getting to know my colleagues at this conference helped me learn ways that I can improve my DialVision skills as well as learning different ways of managing a call center.

If you are looking for the right seminar to attend to help your call center’s productivity and effectiveness when communicating with your alums, then the 2003 MoonFire Training Conference is for you. Learn all that DialVision has to offer to help you with your fund-raising, and have the pleasure of sharing ideas with DialVision customers from across the country."

Maria Garcia, Phonathon Manager, University of Texas, El Paso

 "DialVision users can benefit greatly from attending the annual User's Conference. I attended this year, and as a new user to the system, I found the experience to be extremely valuable. The software is very sophisticated, and having the opportunity to work in a hands-on environment prior to going "live" with the system was very helpful to me. I now feel much more confident in implementing this new system. Even though my university is working with MoonFire as an ASP client (and thus, MoonFire will handle most of the system management), I believe I benefited greatly from being exposed to all aspects of the software -- even those functions which I technically will not need to manage in-house. Knowing more about how the entire program works will, no doubt, save time and frustration down the road, especially during our busy campaign times.

I would encourage any new users, current users who want to expand their knowledge, and advancement executives who want to gain an overview of the potential of the system and learn how it can enhance development performance to attend. If you want to improve your fundraising efforts and want to utilize the software to its maximum potential, the user's conference is the place to be. It's also a great opportunity to network with colleagues from around the nation and gain valuable new ideas for your program."

Peg Zwicker, Director of Annual Giving, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

"As DialVision customers, it is critical to keep up-to-date on the changes and advances of your telemarketing system. The users conference enables you to visualize and work hands-on with MoonFire's product and staff to effectively do this. You will also have the opportunity to interact with existing and new customers, and compare how the product has worked for them and what it will permit you to do.

The conference thoroughly covers the ins and outs of DialVision. MoonFire covers many areas that are crucial to understanding and executing your phone program in the most effective and productive way possible.

While maintaining a one-on-one relationship, the conference offers you the opportunity to interact and draw ideas on other customers’ experiences. In the craziness of the fundraising world it is very rare that you have the time to benchmark with other programs. The MoonFire staff allows you the opportunity to work in a team environment and thoroughly evaluate your program in comparison to other fundraising groups.

Practice what you preach! As fundraisers, donor renewal is a well-known term. Your calling system should be thought of within this same terminology. Annual training allows you to stay on top of the latest technology and produce the best results. Many users attended this year's conference can testify to the importance of participating. Involving all levels of leadership amongst your development programs is key to having a successful philanthropic calling program. It is vital to maintain the overall picture of how the calling program contributes to the rest of your organization, and representing all areas of the spectrum insures success!

Kate Rhonstrom, Project Manager, Brown University