Mention either Annapolis, Md., or Newport, R.I., and visions of yachts, seaside charm and centuries of maritime and colonial American history come to mind.
So why not form a marketing partnership? Planners who attended a recent launch in the Washington, D.C., area of just such a union certainly thought the idea was a winner.
“Multicity partnerships like this one really save me time,” said Charlotte Porter, senior director for public health preparedness at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials in Arlington, Va. “It’s great to come to one event and learn about two destinations instead of one. Also, when destinations cooperate in this kind of thing it’s easy for one to share meetings history and experience in working with us with the other. And that really adds value.”
Tim Walsh, CMP, vice president of sales for the Newport CVB, said the partnership also creates efficiencies.
“We find that planners usually have a short list of sites they consider for a meeting or event, and Annapolis and Newport often appear on the same list,” Walsh said. “So if a planner considers one we find it’s usually easy to get them to look at the other.”
Easy drive and air access is another feature both share because they have proximity to major metros like Boston; Providence, R.I.; Washington, D.C.; and Baltimore. And the airports that serve the big cities present the flexibility of service and low air fares.
