I had the opportunity to attend the Dow Jones Wireless Innovation Conference last week in Redwood Shores, CA. The event is primarily designed to connect new mobile start-ups with funding, but the show had some interesting panels where today’s hot mobile topics where debated (e.g. open systems, Internet devices, LBS). More on panel discussions coming soon in later blog entries. There were some interesting companies showcased at the event.

I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick Payne CEO of a new Vancouver BC start-up called Quickmobile. The company has developed a mobile marketing platform specifically designed for the global travel and tourism industry. The application enable the delivery of coupon offer to the traveler.

I was very impressed with company’s capabilities and approach. Offers that are received are personalized, relevant, timely and valuable to the consumer sent on an opt-in basis only. Quickmobile was able to show how an SMS message can be sent that when accepted sends a bar coded coupon to the user. How can this be used? Here are just a few examples:

• Hoteliers – could use this method to send coupons for hotel services such as a discount at the restaurant, bar or spa to promote on property services
• Travel Management companies or leisure travel agents can promote “long tail” services (restaurant discounts, activity promotions) to increase loyalty and add to traveler convenience.

Mobile advertising will explode over the next few years. The key to mobile promotional campaigns is giving the consumer control over what they receive and making sure the offer is relevant. Quickmobile understands this need and is a company to watch.