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10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus

10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus. 10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus. Craig Davis Executive Director of Convention Sales, VisitPittsburgh Denny Edwards Executive Vice President, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau Kevin Lewis

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10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus

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  1. 10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus

  2. 10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus Craig Davis Executive Director of Convention Sales, VisitPittsburgh Denny Edwards Executive Vice President, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau Kevin Lewis Vice President of Convention Sales, Meet Minneapolis

  3. 1 Myth CVBs are only available to assist with citywide conventions Fact • 50% of all meetings held are 200 people or less on the peak night • CVBs are there for you no matter what size meeting you are planning • Along with hotels, CVBs represent restaurants, printers, speakers, transportation companies, and so much more

  4. 2 Myth CVBs will send my lead to all hotels within the city Fact • CVB sales personnel are trained to qualify the lead appropriately • They can direct leads to only those industry partners that planners request, or that fulfill the planner’s requirements

  5. 3 Myth I work with my national sales offices, so I do not need to use a CVB Fact • While CVBs work hand in hand with National Sales Offices, there are properties in their area that are not affiliated with a national chain • You may be missing out on some great facilities by not having information from them during your bid process

  6. 4 Myth The good thing about working with a rep firm or National Sales Office is that I can send my specs to one person and they can search availability throughout the country. Otherwise, I have to call each bureau direct. Fact • Through DMAIs RFP Online service, you are able to send your specs via the Internet and they will be forwarded to only the bureaus that you are specifically interested in • CVBs have the same online capability as NSOs to share leads on the spot with any hotel or vendor of your choice! Customized software programs allow for quick and accurate turnaround. • CVBs also offer online RFPs

  7. 5 Myth CVBs are only located in their “home” cities Fact • In addition to their home offices, many CVBs have offices located in Washington, D.C. and Chicago that can assist in RFP lead generation and hospitality information • Some CVBs have satellite offices in Europe and Asia

  8. 6 Myth A CVB is like a travel agent or consultant who will charge or take a commission for their services Fact • CVBs are typically publicly-funded, and therefore represents all properties impartially • Their time for following up an RFP, assembling a choice of convention venues, or working with a meeting planner are all free • Contacting a CVB costs you nothing and can save a lot of time and money

  9. 7 Myth The CVB doesn’t provide any services for my meeting. I get everything I need from the hotel where I’m holding my meeting. Fact • CVBs assist meeting planers to help build attendance with: • Personalized site inspections • Suggestions of off-site venues • Referrals to area service suppliers • Including destination management and transportation companies • Public relations and collateral support

  10. 7 Sample Support Services • Surveys • Housing • Parade permits, road closures, etc. • Official welcomes, dignitaries • Meeting and crisis needs • Local education opportunities • Community service events • Volunteer recruitment • Local vendor referrals • DMCs • Promotional Materials • Printing and Mailing • Sponsorship Assistance • Discount Coupons • Offsite Event Locations • Speaker Assistance • Customized attendee websites/microsites • Customized City Maps • Pre-registration, name badges, lead retreaval • On-site registration

  11. 8 Myth I have to provide all the information to my meeting attendees on my own website Fact • You can link your web site directly with most CVBs • Links are provided free of charge and they provide your meeting attendees with up to the minute information such as weather, things to do, etc.

  12. 9 Myth I have the perception that larger CVBs offer more services than smaller CVBs Fact • Most small bureaus have sufficient staff to service your needs just like a larger CVB • Each city has their own charm and style, contact a CVB and find out for yourself!

  13. 10 Myth Bureaus can only assist me with hotel and convention conference facilities for my meetings Fact • CVBs are an incredible resource and provide wonderful recommendations on those special and unique meeting venues • CVBs provide not only meeting space but an experience of the destination!

  14. 10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus Open Forum

  15. 10 Myths About Convention and Visitor Bureaus For More Information Please visit www.destinationmarketing.org

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