Prevue March/April 2015 - (Page 14)

bureau buzz Atlanta DMO Expands Local Business Networks to Attract Groups There's buzz in the meetings industry about DMAI's new DestinationNEXT research Wind Industry Leaders Panel, American Wind Energy Association CVB, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, engaged with local companies that produce parts for wind farms. This helped lure the conference to Atlanta. "It was a win-win for everybody, and it gave the organization exposure in our business community with companies that have a vested interest in that sector," says Vaughn. "That collaboration has always been there to some degree, but not to the extent that it is now." In a similar situation last year, the Atlanta CVB called on the EDOs to tap local and statewide companies in the transportation sector to sell the MODEX supply chain show on hosting their event in Atlanta. MODEX focuses on advanced logistics and transportation and the CVB promoted Atlanta's position as the transportation hub of the South. The show now plans to return every other year. WIN-WIN: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL INVESTMENT D MOs have always introduced planners to the region's hospitality and tourism suppliers. Now, they're bringing the entire business community to the table to explore the potential for new business opportunities. By working more closely with economic development organizations (EDOs) to expand local and national networks, DMOs are potentially broadening their customer base of companies that organize large meetings and conventions. "DestinationNEXT is a great roadmap for people to follow, and there's a lot of forward thinking and thought leadership there," says Mark Vaughn, EVP/chief sales ofﬁcer at the Atlanta CVB. "Basically, we're peeling the onion back further to better understand where there's some alignment in Atlanta with companies and organizations outside the city that might want to bring a large event here." For example, Atlanta was successful in hosting the annual conference for the American Wind Energy Association in 2012-but not because there are a lot of wind farms in Georgia. The Atlanta In December, DMAI launched a new research paper in partnership with Oxford Economics, called "Destination Promotion: An Engine of Economic Development." The paper examines how DMOs are often targeting the same prospects for conventions that EDOs target for economic development and local investment. Together, they can attract large-scale events and drive business to a city. "Cities and states that coordinate destination marketing and economic development are generally better positioned to compete for new investments and corporate relocations," says Adam Sacks, director, Oxford Economics. So if a meeting planner is bringing a large convention to the city, he or she can help facilitate introductions between the event's business leaders and the local EDO, and help organize ancillary networking sessions in alignment with the primary event. "As the destination marketing organization," says Vaughn, "we are responsible for making sure we position ourselves in a way that can help planners be successful in Atlanta-whether making introductions for them at the state or the city level, or introducing them to business networks that will be of value to them." -Greg Oates "We're peeling the onion back further to better understand where there's some alignment in Atlanta with companies and organizations outside the city that might want to bring a large event here." 14 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue March/April 2015

Planner’s Pick: Los Angeles
Fresh Meets: The Evolution of Local Hospitality
Bureau Buzz: Atlanta
Good Business: On the Agenda: Zero Waste
Sea Shores: American Queen Steamboat Company
Incentive Bound
FLORIDA
CALIFORNIA
NASHVILLE
IHG EUROPE
On Location: Bermuda
CLUB MED CANCUN YUCATAN
On Location: Beaches Turks & Caicos
On Location: St. Kitts
On Location: Delano Las Vegas
Club Med Meetins, Incentives and Corporate Events 2015 Edition

Prevue March/April 2015