<p>Amid today’s technological explosion one might expect most ramped-up CVB services to focus on mobile offerings, on-site tech assistance and other cutting-edge resources.</p><p>And while those efforts are evident here and there, it’s truly a stepped-up, hands-on “old school” approach that often pays off the most for the most-successful CVBs.</p><p>Following is a look at the new and improved meeting support services from several top CVBs from around the U.S., and how they’ve specifically upped the ante on their group assistance.</p><p><strong>Rhode to Success</strong><br>
<a href="http://www.discovernewport.org/" target="_blank">Discover Newport</a>, in the regal Rhode Island community, has found that creating a small team of dedicated Destination Experts has paid off big when hosting groups and events.</p><p>“I know you might think in the digital age that we’re always looking for the latest high-tech offering, but conversely, in today’s tech-savvy environment, it’s the human element that’s completely innovative,” remarks Andrea McHugh, marketing and communications manager for Discover Newport.</p><div style="clear: both; float: right;"><div id="callout_style_0" class="sidebar_related_article"></div></div><p>That being said, these seasoned experts are armed with iPads and robust social media tools, but that’s just one set of resources in their arsenal as they help foster successful events from start to finish.</p><p>“I’m considered a ‘comforting source’ for meeting planners,” says Destination Expert Patricia Smurro. “I don’t ever pass [planners] off after the program has booked—I am there from start to finish. Whatever they need, from professional photography for their event’s collateral and advance publicity to advice on transportation to the ‘inside scoop’ on what they’ll need to know that only an on-the-ground source can provide, I am here for them.”</p><p><strong>Albuquerque Gets Social</strong><br>
On the social and technological end, small changes can also make a big difference, such as the <a href="http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/" target="_blank">Albuquerque [N.M.] Visitors Bureau (ACVB) </a>creating a dedicated Twitter account for visiting groups, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeetABQ" target="_blank">@MeetABQ</a> through its convention services team.</p><p>It’s designed so that attendees can follow the account while their group is in town, and planners can also retweet information to their groups; shared info can range from schedule changes to logistical details such as specific shuttle pick-up locations.</p><p>Small groups who may not have a dedicated Twitter account especially appreciate having this information when they’re visiting, and the account can be up and running prior to a group’s arrival to help promote attendance and more.</p><p>“The @MeetABQ handle is designed for a group’s entire delegation to follow and share, so that everyone has the most up-to-date information available,” says Cecilia Padilla-Quillen, the ACVB’s director of convention services. “It’s an interactive tool that can be used for everything from schedule changes to shuttle pickup locations, and we frequently use photos of locations so they will be easy for attendees to find.”</p><p><strong>Big Easy Does It</strong><br>
The <a href="http://www.neworleanscvb.com/" target="_blank">New Orleans CVB</a> has grown its meeting services into in-depth, well-rounded support that includes meeting strategizing and event marketing.</p><p>“In New Orleans we are looking at our role as a destination management organization and rethinking the way we do business in a positive way,” says Brad Weaber, executive vice president of the New Orleans CVB. “Everyone has a personal experience and we recognize that it is our [duty] to provide strategic management and customized plans to assist each organization to achieve their goals and ensure each person’s experience in New Orleans is one they will never forget.”</p><p><span class="page-break">PageBreak</span></p><p>New Orleans CVB services include the following: acting as a dedicated extension of the client’s organization to aid in driving ROI through public relations efforts and branded marketing templates, e-mail templates and other such tools; assisting CVB members with clients by showcasing the city’s portfolio of offerings, housing and offering on-the-ground logistics support; and even creating marketing timelines to maximize event exposure to stakeholders.</p><p>Other resources available for planners include assistance with rebates to offset convention-related expenses, CVB staff attendance at shows prior to their event in New Orleans to drive excitement, and customized hotel and restaurant maps.</p><p><strong>Columbus Discoveries</strong><br>
In Ohio, <a href="http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/" target="_blank">Experience Columbus</a> discovered success via an old-school, hands-on approach, and a newer emphasis on tech and social networking, according to President and CEO Brian Ross.</p><p>“Our street teams and social media and digital services—one high-tech, the other high-touch—provide extra layers of hospitality for our visitors,” Ross says. “These services enable us to communicate with them face-to-face and in cyberspace to ensure each individual enjoys a great experience in Columbus.”</p><p>On the tech side, Experience Columbus offers a menu of social and digital services groups can select from, including a custom landing page on ExperienceColumbus.com that can also be mobile-friendly, social media assistance and customized Google maps. Social media assistance can include sample tweets for planners to send out as attendance-builders for their Columbus events, or even collaboration on a destination Pinterest board.</p><p>On the “touch” side, Experience Columbus’ Street Teams approach attendees and provide helpful information about Columbus at events, rather than passively waiting behind an information table. While not exactly cutting-edge, the Columbus CVB has found that this approach is incredibly effective at improving the attendee experience.</p><p><strong>Oregon Explorations</strong></p><p>At the <a href="http://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/">Eugene, Cascades and Coast CVB</a>—aka Travel Lane County—a number of ramped-up offerings have provided planners with a boost in recent years.</p><p>Among them are a “Show Your Badge” Program, where they create convention name badges for attendees along with a list of businesses and restaurants participating in the program, with attendees receiving discounts and special offers; the creation of micro-websites for meetings and events that serve as an info portal for a conference website, or—for smaller events with lower budgets—can serve as the event’s main website; and customized maps and welcome signs that can be created specifically for a particular group or event.</p><p>They’ve also gotten more hands-on, with a dedicated Social Media and PR Manager for Conventions/Meetings, and have also recently hired a full-time Group Housing Manager to manage housing for convention groups and events through Passkey, an online housing program. The Group Housing Manager will also work closely with area hotels, event managers, and meeting planners to provide support and training on the Passkey system, and assist participants with their reservations and payments. </p><p>Other planner pluses are the offering of e-newsletters to specific markets, such as government, association and military, and a Meetings blog that has become an outlet for their staff to share local insights with planners, and to introduce planners to their staff.</p><p><strong>The Power of Three</strong><br>
Earlier this year in Nashville, at ASAE’s annual convention, Baltimore, San Antonio and Anaheim, Calif., made a splash by announcing a coalition that’s already paying dividends, <a href="http://synchronicities.us/" target="_blank">Synchronicities</a>.</p><p>“The three-city partnership between Baltimore, San Antonio and Anaheim simplifies the meeting planning process with customized solutions that increase engagement and save money across a set of compelling coast-to-coast destinations,” says Tom Noonan, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “Synchronicities was designed to enhance and improve the natural buying pattern of meeting professionals, as well as facilitate a better sales and services experience. Through this partnership, meeting professionals will have access to an expanded network of resources along with intellectual capital that no one else can offer.”</p><p>Synchronicities is already seeing success with the partnership, as the National Postal Forum has selected Anaheim, Baltimore and San Antonio to host its annual conference in 2015, 2017 and 2018, respectively.</p><p><strong>Here and There</strong><br>
In California’s Silicon Valley, Team San Jose has created innovative concepts like “Own the City,” extending an event’s marketing reach well beyond the meeting venue or lodging, and “Show Your Badge,” which provides attendees with discounts at various retailers and restaurants.</p><p>Visit Orlando continues to find success with what is actually a tried-and-true program, its Destination Meetings Team, comprised mainly of CMPs, while placing an added emphasis on assisting exhibitors coming to town in addition to planners.</p><p>Destinations like Irvine, Calif., and the Wisconsin Dells, Wis., are bringing tangible monetary motivation to the table, Irvine via a $2,500 incentive offering and the Dells through a grant program rewarding new groups for the local economic impact of their event.</p><p>Florida’s Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB has increased pre-event promotional efforts for attendance, furnishes ramped-up volunteer help during conferences and hosts micro event sites showcasing event details such as lodging and meeting locales.</p><p><a href="http://www.meetingstoday.com/NewsEvents/EventDetails/tabid/104/ItemID/3940/Default.aspx">UPCOMING FREE WEBINAR: Leverage Your CVB Relationship, with Bonnie Wallsh</a></p>
