Meeting News - March 23, 2009 - (Page 21)

80 Toledo Sandusky 71 Cleveland 80 76 Youngstown Canton OHIO MEETINGNEWS Q & A Lima 75 Springfield 70 Dayton 75 Cincinnati 71 71 Akron 77 Cambridge Columbus 77 Marietta 70 Columbus CVB Invites the Community To Become the ‘Faces of Tourism’ Though meeting meccas like Las Vegas are being hit particularly hard by the economy and corporate events backlash, small destinations, like Columbus, OH, are feeling the pinch, too. On March 10, Experience Columbus, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, held its annual meeting. In concert with industry-wide efforts aimed at communicating the economic value of meetings and events, the theme of this year’s event was “The Faces of Tourism.” To find out how Experience Columbus is spreading the word about the economic impact of Midwest meetings, MeetingNews spoke with vice president of marketing Pete McGinty. Q: What’s the purpose of your annual meeting, and who typically attends it? A:We expect around 800 people. The audience is local political, civic , and corporate partners, plus members of the hospitality industry. The purpose of our meeting is to demonstrate the value of tourism to our local economy and to the quality of life for central Ohio residents. Q: How do you expect this year’s meeting to be different from past summits? A: Everyone is more sensitive to economic conditions. But tourism stimulates our economy. Our message is one of hope and pride. Q: Where does your theme “The Faces of Tourism” fit in with that message? A: The theme is about informing our audience about the breadth and depth of our industry. We are broadening the definition of the industry to clearly include indirect and induced economic sectors—not only direct service providers like butchers, florists, and caterers, but also insurance agents, accountants, and construction workers. We will be positioning the 62,000 people employed in our local tourism industry as not just jobs, but as livelihoods, families, real people—real faces. Q: How will you actualize that theme? A: We hope we launch the mindset that everywww.meetingnews.com one is a face of tourism. We will give the community a role in helping us sell and market Columbus; our residents can be ambassadors for Columbus. We each can play a role in inviting friends and family to Columbus, and in providing a great experience. We want people to know that tourism is invaluable to our community and is a driver of economic prosperity. I —MA FOR YOUR NEXT CONVENTION OR MEETING, LOOK TO THE CITY THAT IS THE NBA’S NEXT JEWEL IN THE CROWN. WHERE A STREAMLINED AIRPORT AND LACK OF TRAFFIC MEAN YOU’RE IN FAST. AND WITH THE BEST RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE JUST A FEW MINUTES’ WALK FROM YOUR HOTEL, YOU’RE OUT EVEN FASTER. IT’S OUR MEET & GREET, OUR NICE & EASY. OUR V I SI T OKC .C OM March 23, 2009 MeetingNews 21 http://www.VISITOKC.COM http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - March 23, 2009 Contents What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Meetings Mean Business As 'Meeting Matter' Marriott Unveils Promo Columbus, OH, Addresses Convention Hotel Issues People Making News Orlando Strives for Cost Transparency Is Biz-Class Air Travel Dead? Greenest Planner Awards Mid America Insider Report: Conference Centers Destination Insider: Mississippi Gulf Coast Las Vegas Destination Insider: Cleveland Ad Index Live from the Forum

Meeting News - March 23, 2009

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