MEEC

1
MEEC

• Chapter Eleven
• Convention and Visitors Bureaus

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Role and Functions of CVBs

• A CVB is a not-for-profit organization supported
  by transient room tax, government funds and
  private membership in order to
• Encourage groups to hold meetings, conventions
  and tradeshows in the city or area it represents
• Assist those groups with meeting preparations
  while their meeting is in progress and
• Encourage tourists to visit and enjoy the
  historic, cultural and recreational opportunities
  the destination offers.

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Role and Functions of CVBs

• The Purpose of CVBs
• Help the long term economic development of
  communities through the travel and tourism
  business
• Bring together businesses that rely on tourism
  and meetings for revenue
• Serve as official contact points between their
  destination and meting professionals, tour
  operators and individual tourists.

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Role and Functions of CVBs

• The Value of CVBs
• Offer unbiased information about a destinations
  services and facilities
• Act as one stop shop for meeting professionals
• Provide full range of information about a
  destination
• Do not charge for most of their services

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How CVBs are Organized

• Organizational Structure
• 63 of CVBs are independent organizations
• 24 are some form of government agency
• 7 are a division of a chamber of commerce
• Average CVB has 14 employees and a Board of
  Directors of 16 voting members with 6 people
  serving on an Executive Committee
• 53 of CVBs are membership organizations
  averaging 663 members representing
• 24 convention services and suppliers
• 20 lodging establishments
• 15 restaurants
• 10 retail

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How CVBs are Funded

• Funding mechanisms include
• Average tax rates
• 11.6 hotel room tax 56 of which goes to the
  CVB
• 8.7 car rental tax
• 7.1 general sales tax
• 7.5 restaurant tax
• 82 of CVBs budgets are funded by hotel room
  taxes
• 18 of the budget comes from membership dues,
  advertising, merchandise sales, etc.

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CVBs Expenditures

• On average CVBs spend their income as follows
• 27 Convention Sales and Marketing
• 25 Tourism Marketing
• 20 Administration
• 9 Communications
• 6 Visitor services
• 4 Membership
• 3 Convention services/housing
• 6 Other

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Convention Marketing Sales

• CVB Sales manager assigned to assist in the
  process
• Gathers relevant information about dates, guest
  room and meeting requirements, and appropriate
  properties and convention center, if needed
• Produces sales leads
• Specifications about the particular meeting
• Distributed to members of the CVB as appropriate

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Convention Marketing Sales

• CVB Sales manager assigned to assist in the
  process
• Monitors the process
• Assures that client receives information from
  members
• May relate prices but MAY NOT negotiate prices on
  behalf of properties
• Sets up site visits
• Develop itinerary, establish schedule, set up
  appointments
• Informs client about local laws, union issues,
  taxes, etc.

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CVB Services for Meeting Professionals

• Encourage groups to hold meetings in the city
• Locate and check space availability in hotels,
  convention centers and other facilities
• Arrange for site visit and familiarization tours
• Provide detailed information on all venues

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CVB Services for Meeting Professionals

• Assist groups with meeting preparations
• Give planners access to a range of services from
  supplier members
• Act as information database and one-stop-shop for
  facilities and services
• Develop transportation network shuttle
  services, ground transportation, airline
  information
• Assist with on-site logistics and registration
• Suggest local speakers and educational
  opportunities
• Help to secure auxiliary services

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CVB Services for Meeting Professionals

• Help to market the destination
• Provide promotional materials to encourage
  attendance
• Suggest pre-post conference tours
• Highlight cultural attractions, events and
  activities
• Establish and monitor room blocks
• Provide housing bureau if required
• Serve as official point of contact
• Act as liaison between community officials and
  planners
• Arrange for special permits
• Provide access to special venues

13
IACVB Services

• International Association of Convention and
  Visitors Bureaus
• Over 1200 professional members representing over
  500 CVBs
• Purpose to enhance the professionalism,
  effectiveness and image of destination management
  organizations worldwide
• Promotes bureaus worldwide
• Links CVBs with consumers and planners
• http//www.officialtravelguide.com/
• Conducts a variety of educational programs

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IACVB Services

• MINT (Meetings Industry Network)
• A database that contains historical meeting data
  of over 25,000 events and future bookings
• Aids the supplier and planner in negotiations and
  RFP process
• www.MINT.org
• RFP Bid Proposal Program
• Electronic Request for Proposal program is
  available at www.iacvb.org
• Destinations Showcase
• Annual one-day exhibit of CVBs and their exhibit
  facilities
• Held in Washington DC, New York and Chicago

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IACVB Services

• ExPact Study
• Convention Expenditure and Impact Study
• Demonstrates the value of of the convention and
  trade show industry to the overall economy
• IACVB Professional Development
• A variety of educational opportunities for CVBs
  and their employees
• Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME)
  a global recognition for CVB executives

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IACVB Services

• IACVB Foundation
• Sponsors research and resources
• Compensation and Benefits Survey
• CVB Organizational Financial Profiles
• ExPact Study
• IACVB Resource Center

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Review

• Role and Functions of CVBs
• How CVBs are Organized
• How CVBs are Funded
• CVBs Expenditures
• Convention Marketing Sales
• CVB Services for Meeting Professionals
• IACVB Services