Making yourself known

Since job.travel is a new website, the BIG push is to get people to the website. The well established mega site had a bit of a 'leg up'. One was developed by a recruiter with an active data base of employers and searchers. The other was developed in conjunction with several newspaper publishing companies, so they had the employers already and searchers knew to browse the want ads. Being the 'new kid' can be a bit lonely and daunting. So how do you get recognized?
We started out calling vendors that are part of the large vacation wholesaler that we are associated with. Unfortunately, our buyers, know their buyers, not their human resource departments. We still called and sent emails to hopefully get noticed. It worked for a few. Emails and calls were also made to employers that were on the other websites if the information was provided. A few more postings. 'Knocking on doors' garnered a few more postings.
Then for the personal meetings. For job seekers we had booths at job fairs to get resumes posted. Various trade shows were attended in the hospitality field were attended. We also joined the local Convention & Visitor Bureau Chapters. These chapters have monthly meetings for members to attend and network.
Now for the social networking angle. One local organization has monthly luncheons, a happy hour social and various other functions. Two weeks ago a coworker and I attended one of the after work functions, it was only a few blocks from work. We passed out a few cards and collected a few. The attendees were from a variety of fields, though the sponsor told us that several large hotels and restaurants are active in the group.
Today was the 'power' lunch at a downtown hotel. I assembled some information including my card an a nifty pen and set off. I was very early and distributed the material on the chairs and then walked over to the socializing room. Name tags were provided and made it easy since company names were also listed. The group was varied, but I only recognized a few people from the previous social. I did get a chance to pass my card on to the catering manager who said he would let human resources know the rates.
Since my web-page is not a 'stand alone' entity, I did some networking for other areas of the corporation. There was a local business journal representative, that would be a good way to get out name out in print. There is also an awards dinner in the next few weeks with a silent auction, a way to get the vacation branch of the company out there.