The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has debuted a new strategic plan which promotes the value of face-to-face business meetings in the city. The centerpiece of the plan is a Web site — vegasmeansbusiness.com — featuring talking points that refute and rebuff recent criticism from lawmakers and reporters, who have used examples from AIG, Wells Fargo and others to characterize resort-based meetings as extravagant and frivolous.
According to the LVCVA, 340 Las Vegas events have been cancelled in the past 90 days, costing the local economy an estimated $131.6 million in lost spending.
To reverse the trend, the CVA has populated the site with a variety of features including a Top 10 list of reasons to meet in Las Vegas, a meetings toolkit with which planners can promote their Vegas-based meetings, a “Write Your Congressman” tool, a fact-and-fiction section, and an open letter to the public from the LVCVA.
Lisa Deveney, Director of Convention Services at the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau provides 10 reasons why event and meeting planners should use a CVB.
- When It’s Right…It’s Right. Think of your local CVB as your meeting matchmaker! We help find the right fit between your meeting and a venue in the city you are considering. Do you need a hotel? Are you considering a conference center? Could an auditorium work for your group? We will start out broad and narrow down the choices to those properties that best suite your needs.
- Let Us Do The Legwork. Don’t feel overwhelmed thinking of all the potential venues you have to contact with your RFP. Your CVB will contact the venues on your behalf and ask them to send their proposals directly to you. Or, we can gather up the proposals and send them to you all at once, creating an easy to read summary of all the offers available. Our goal is to make the process as easy for the planner as possible.
- We Want You To Look Good. We help you generate responses so you get the best options and thorough proposals – all before your deadline. We will take care of the follow up and make sure you have every option available. Allow us to use the relationships we have developed in the city to your advantage.
- We Know Our Stuff. Consider the CVB staff your city experts. What’s new, who’s renovated, what are the advantages of each neighborhood, suburb, or resort…We’ll give you all in inside information.
- Leave The Planning To Us. No more trying to figure the ins and outs of a new city during a site inspection. CVB staff will help you from start to finish, making sure we maximize your time. By creating a personalized itinerary, we make sure your appointments are geographically located and fit your meeting parameters.
- We Just Keep On Giving. You’re not forgotten once you book your meeting. By using a CVB for your search, you are at the top of the list to get attention from the Convention Services Department. They do not wait for you to contact them, they will contact you to offer assistance.
- No Question Is Too Big. Or, Too Small. Need a destination management company, a venue for a reception, a transportation company or a sightseeing tour? The CVB can help! It’s not just about the location, we also help with all the services you need to enhance yours and your attendee’s experience while you are here.
- Stress Free Is The Way To Be. Should challenges arise, CVB staff know just who to call to get your issue resolved. We challenge ourselves to find an answer to your question in two phone calls. How will the local parade affect the timeliness of my meeting? Patriot’s Day….that’s a holiday? How frequent does the public transportation run during rush hours? These are the types of questions your local CVB and handle with ease.
- Who Said Nothing In Life Is Free? Most CVB’s will offer planning and selection services are free of charge! Plus, once you’ve booked, we can further assist you with exclusive free promotional materials, such as photos, maps, DVDs, B-Roll and guidebooks, all the materials you need to promote your meeting and the destination.
- Great Minds Think Alike. We’re friendly, efficient, and helpful. Just like you.
Consider Boston for your next event, meeting or convention. Contact Lisa at 617-867-8216 or e-mail ldeveney@bostonusa.com for more information.
1. CVBs solely book hotel rooms and convention space.
CVBs represent the gamut of visitor-related businesses, from restaurants and retail to rental cars and racetracks. Therefore, they are responsible for introducing planners to a full range of meeting-related products and services the city has to offer. Basically, they match needs to a city’s resources.
2. CVBs only work with large groups.
More than half of all meetings involve less than 200 people. These meetings are just as important to a CVB as larger ones. In fact, larger bureaus often have staff members specifically dedicated to small meetings.
3. Bureaus own and/or run the convention center.
Only five percent of CVBs run the convention center in their location. Nevertheless, CVBs work closely with local convention centers and can assist planners in getting what they need from convention center staff.
4. Planners have to pay CVBs for their services.
In truth, the services of a CVB are free. Most bureaus are primarily funded through hotel occupancy taxes. Some bureaus also charge membership fees.
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