We hired a vendor after the marcus evans Summit

“We just launched a product that a vendor introduced to us at the marcus evans Summit. Two more vendors we met will be included in a full RFP for different services,” said Nila Carrington, Director, Benefits & Well Being, Regional One Health, a speaker and delegate at the marcus evans Employee Benefits & Compensation Summit.

What new business opportunities has the Summit brought your way?

I met some very interesting vendors, both during the scheduled meetings and networking time. I liked a musculoskeletal telemedicine program that one of the vendors mentioned to me, which can reduce our costs while improving accessibility for employees. We just launched that a few weeks ago. This year I have been very focused on diabetic management so this was not a program I was looking for. But when the vendor approached me over a coffee break, I was open to listening to him. I attend events specifically to find new technologies. 

I also spoke to five pharmaceutical companies, which is such a high-cost item of any healthcare plan, and engaged with two vendors with tuition reimbursement programs. Both of those companies will be included in our formal RFP. 

Costs continue to rise every year, so we must keep up-to-date with new technologies. Once or twice a year, it is important to look at what services the market is offering and tailor them to what our employees need.

Had you heard of those vendors before?

I had not. I am open to exploring new opportunities at certain times of the year, so when vendors approach me, I share my calendar for when they can contact me. If I am interested, I pass on their information to my benefits consultant to vet and bring other vendors from the same space to the table. I do a benefits survey every summer to see what employees are asking for. There are so many companies out there, I need a system that they can understand so that we don’t waste each other’s time.

Did the Summit help speed up the cycle with the vendor you hired?  

Absolutely. At the Summit, I let myself wide open to new ideas. This specific vendor had not scheduled a meeting with me, but the rep approached me and within a few minutes I knew I was interested. The product was intriguing, and it was easy to see how we would benefit. The rep caught me really quick. It turned out to be a successful sale.

How would you compare the Summit with other industry events?

Excellent. The Summit was focused, the presentations and speakers were wonderful. It was a very comfortable environment to network. I gained valuable information and made great contacts. 

The one-on-one meeting format is very effective compared to events that just have a huge open hall with booths. We had 30-minute scheduled time to speak to people. That is enough to get your point across and determine if there is a fit. The Summit is definitely worth the investment for vendors. They’re not just in a booth trying to attract the attention of people walking by. They have specific time to meet people like me. It was the first time that I experienced this format, and it was a great way to explore companies.

Find our more about the upcoming Employee Benefits & Compensation Summit.