Transcript Slide 1

Meetings & Conventions
USA Markets
May 11, 2005
Today’s Agenda
Welcome & Introductions
2004-A year in review
 Vancouver…Becoming a Genuine Brand
Meetings & Conventions Trends
Meetings & Conventions Goals
SWOT
Media & Advertising
Working with Meetings & Conventions Team
Q & A
Member Services
Your Member Services team:
Janet Carson, Vice President, Visitor & Member Services
Eric Kalnins, Manager, Member Services
Curtis Wong, Account Executive
Eric Glaser, Account Executive
Kathy Myck, Member Services
Presenters
Wendy Surkan, Eastern USA
Kyle Matheson, Washington DC & Region
Sonia Baldissera, Midwest USA
Bronwyn Slade, Western USA
Hello, My Name Is . . .
Who are you?
Where do you work?
What do you hope to learn today?
Meeting & Convention
Priorities
 Generating long-term, city-wide business
 Ready for expansion
 Building short-term (0-2 years) business
opportunities
 Leadership & Accountability
 Customer-focused & market driven
 Dynamic & innovative bids
2004 A Year in Review
 Exceeded all targets!
- Lead roomnights: 33% increase over 2003
- Definite roomnights: 45% increase over 2003
- 33% short-term bookings; 67% long-term
 Held 25 citywide meetings
 Short-term lead generation and database clean up
 UK/Europe Sales Representation
 Chicago Sales Representation
 Be A Host
Vancouver…Becoming a
Genuine Brand
 Brand Review
 Vancouver Brand Promise
 The Brand Opportunity
The Brand Identity
Meetings & Conventions
Trends
 Sustained market recovery; 2% growth in 2005
 Buyer’s market
 Standardized meeting management policies &
procedures
 Measuring Meeting ROI
 Outsourcing Here to Stay
 Attrition Resolution
 Web and Wireless
Meetings & Conventions
Trends
 City Site Selection based on “Word of Mouth”
 Competitors Dependent on Season
 Competition between Meetings for Attendees &
Exhibitors
 Hotel Selection based on “Cost” and “Quality”
 Planner/Supplier Dynamic
 Elevated Recognition of Meeting Planner Position
Networking Break
Marketplace Opportunities
 Overall destination appeal
 Expansion of the convention centre
 2010 Olympic Games
 Strengthening U.S. economy
 Excellent infrastructure
 High value & quality of products & services
 Airlines more flexible with Saturday stayovers
 Issues in competing cities
Challenges
 Unknowns about expansion
 Lack of 1000+ room hotel on-site
 CVBs with larger budgets and incentives
 Lack of large off-site venues
 Conservative room blocks
 Increased use of the internet for destination research
 Perception of lack of air access and high airfares
Challenges Cont’d
 Increased security measures, VISAs and passports
 Concerns about customs
 Exchange rate – strengthening CDN dollar
 Peak season hotel rates
 Small convention hotels
 International politics and trade disputes
 US Government travel policy
Addressing the Challenges
 Remove the value proposition from the Vancouver
sell
 Be proactive & spread the good word
 Handle objections earlier in the sales process
 Be prepared to be creative, flexible & think long term
Media Relations
Media relations team works to get coverage of
Vancouver in consumer and trade magazines for free.
In 2004 audience of 340 million reached worldwide
through print and broadcast outlets.
Advertising equivalency of this coverage was $22.5
million.
Outlets include ABC’s The Bachelor, M&C magazine, US
Weekly, Cooking Light, National Geographic and Meetings
West.
Media Relations
 The media relations team achieves this coverage
through:
 Hosting 400 media per year on site inspections
 Providing support such as fact checking, images
and story ideas
 Sending monthly newsletters and regular updates
to our extensive database of media contacts
 In-market activities, including media marketplaces,
CTC media events and sales calls
Working with Meetings &
Conventions Team
 Members Only
 Sales vs Convention Services
 Client-driven lead distribution
 CVB M & C Team-we are here to help you!
Q&A
Wrap Up
• Workshop Evaluations
• Mark Your Calendar!
– May 26, 102nd Annual General Meeting
– June 8, Media Training
RSVP ONLINE through the Members Only website at
tourismvancouver.com/members or call 604.631.2855
Thank You For Coming!