Meeting News - August 11, 2008 - (Page 25)

CVBs Orlando Takes Marketing to the Skies Business travelers riding with AirTran Airways may be saying “yes” to Orlando—even if they’re not headed there just yet. The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Orlando-based budget carrier AirTran in July unveiled a Boeing 717 plane emblazoned with “Say Yes to Orlando” logos, in a joint marketing effort. Each side of the plane sports the olive-color and shaped logo, and the aircraft will be used on a number of AirTran routes across the country to maximize exposure. The logos will stay on the plane for nine months, with the promotion ending around March. The marketing effort recalls a similar promotion by Skybus Airlines and Nationwide insurance company in April 2007. “By collaborating with the CVB, we hope to encourage more passengers around the country to visit Orlando,” said Kevin Healy, AirTran’s senior vice president of marketing. Performers from La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil put the finishing touches on “Say Yes to Orlando” logo at AirTran plane unveiling. Grand Rapids Gets Closer To Finding New President The Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau has begun interviewing candidates for the president’s position vacated by Steve Wilson, who left in the spring to return to his hometown Flint, MI, according to the Western Michigan Business Review. According to the journal, there is a short list of 10 candidates, and the CVB expects to have someone in place by the end of summer. The new executive will be counted on to raise national group business, said the report. Wilson has been credited with helping raise Grand Rapids as a convention destination with the 2003 opening of DeVos Place, the city’s 250,000-sf convention center along Grand River. The venue connects to the 12,000-seat Van Andel Arena and the 207-room Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown. r www.meetingnews.com don’t worry; you’re going to be ok Our diagnosis for a successful meeting is the combination of Knoxville’s “Meeting Docs” and world-class venues like the Knoxville Convention Center. Contact us today and let us prescribe the perfect remedy for your next event. 800-727-8045 • sales@Knoxville.org • www.Knoxville.org August 11, 2008 MeetingNews 25 http://www.Knoxville.org http://www.Knoxville.org http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - August 11, 2008

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