Incentive - April 2009 - (Page 32)

TRAVEL Idyllic Deals PAGE 34 Value Ahoy PAGE 40 Caribbean destinations continue to offer affordable travel rewards No prying eyes of the media, many choices and a small budget on cruises Facing Pressure on Several Fronts, Las Vegas Responds Economic challenges serve as catalyst for the Vegas Means Business campaign By Alex Palmer I n the face of a struggling travel market, cancelled corporate events, and the portrayal of Las Vegas as a city of excess by the President of the United States and other leading public figures, the destination is stepping up to defend itself and stimulate corporate travel. Las Vegas’ real trouble began on Feb. 9 in Elkhart, Ind., where President Barack Obama told an audience, “You can't get corporate jets, you can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer’s dime.” Between that public pronouncement and the alreadysoft business travel market, Las Vegas has seen 340 events cancelled since the beginning of the year, costing the local economy $131.6 million. In early March, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) The LVCVA is getting the message out that Las Vegas is serious about business, as well as fun launched the Vegas Means Business marketing and lobbying campaign, aimed at demonstrating the city’s value and expertise as a meeting and events destination. A central pillar of this effort is www.vegasmeansbusiness.com, a Web site which includes a number of features designed to provide information about the value of holding meetings, incentive trips and corporate events in Las Vegas, including a list of reasons to hold events in Las Vegas, a template letter to send to members of Congress and for the media, a fact-and-fiction section, and an open letter to the public from the LVCVA. “We admit, Las Vegas is more fun than any other place on the planet. Guilty as charged. However, serious business is done here every day,” the letter reads. “Don’t get us wrong. We don’t think taxpayer dollars should be spent for any unnecessary expenses. Las Vegas has been doing business for decades and has the track record to prove it. That’s the reality.” Besides those cancelled meetings, incentives and events, and the additional 14,000 rooms at 20 new properties scheduled to open this year, and the city is clearly in need of a message change. Filling the city’s meeting facilities and booking incentive and group business “is on my mind every minute of the day,” says Chris Myer, vice president of convention sales for the LVCVA. “I think we’re 32 | Incentive | April 2009 | incentivemag.com http://www.vegasmeansbusiness.com http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - April 2009

Incentive - April 2009
Contents
Editor’s Note: Speak Out!
Headlines
Cover Story: Penn Mutual Stands By Its Incentives
Defending Incentives
Primer: Merchandise 101
Employee Contracts Work
Gift Card Roundtable
Incentive Strategies
Endo Pharmaceuticals
Travel News: Where To Go
Caribbean: Idyllic Deals
Cruises: Value Ahoy!
Potentials: Here and Now
Cameras: Smart and Active
Merchandise IQ Survey
Incentive Merchandise Buyer’s Guide

Incentive - April 2009

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