May 18
Misc Tidbits, News, Trade Shows economy, meeting industry, National Travel and Tourism Week, tourism No Comments
Here we are trying to advance American tourism in a time of economic distress, and the bison are blocking the road!
Picture taken in Yellowstone National Park this past weekend, courtesy of Al Rickard – ConventionPlanit.com Director of Communications.
May 13
Member News, News cvbs, meeting experiences, meeting industry, National Travel and Tourism Week, Rally Day 2009 No Comments
Yesterday was the first U.S. Travel Rally Day. It was a nation-wide success!
The Twitter account for Keep America Meeting, an initiative to promote and protect meetings, events and incentive travel in the U.S., (Twitter username: KeepMeeting) helped keep the travel community involved in yesterday’s festivities across the country by encouraging users to post with #rallyday.
(Twitter 101: Hashtags serve as search terms in Twitter – entering #rallyday into Twitter search pulls every post from a user with the term).
Tweeters posted real-time pictures and words from rallies across the country while others showed support by sharing great facts and statistics about the importance of meetings.
Some powerful ‘tweets’:
ACAREYCMP said: “Meetings and incentives are NECESSARY in this economic environment, to motivate employees & maintain market share!”
DaleCollie shared that “One of your best business development resources is your annual convention, don’t miss it this year when needed most.”
LIEvents noted “On an average day, there are 17 million meetings in America! Happy #rallyday”
To check out what else travel supports were saying, visit the Rally Day Twitter Feed.
ConventionPlanit.com members were out in full support for Rally Day. Here are some highlights of our members’ Rally Day activities from across the country (We are proud of you all!):
Visit Fairfax: held a rally today at the Fashion Court in Tysons Corner Center Mall to show support for the meetings industry.
Chicago area CVBs held a rally – complete with some furry friends on stage
New Orleans CVBs held a rally day parade – even local high school bands participated!
The Hyatt Regency McCormick shared this video on YouTube of Concierge Tony explaining why meetings matter to him
The Orlando/Orange County CVB went all out to show how important tourism is to Central Florida, with a rally yesterday that included appearances by several of Orlando’s most well-known theme park characters, as well as performers from Pirates Dinner Adventure, Gatorland, SeaWorld Orlando, & Walt Disney World Resort.
If you participated in a special Rally Day event, let me know! I’d love to hear how you are helping raise awareness for the meetings industry.
May 12
Member News, News meeting industry, National Travel and Tourism Week 1 Comment
May 9-17, 2009
Join hundreds of cities, states and businesses nationwide in the annual salute to travel and tourism in America, presented by the U.S. Travel Association!
National Travel and Tourism Week is a collective effort to promote the power of travel through customized events in communities nationwide. The goal is to enhance the country’s economy, security and perception, and recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism.
The first-ever U.S. Travel Rally Day is being staged in communities nationwide today, with convention and visitors bureau leaders uniting with local government and business leaders to promote the message that “Travel Matters”.
Tell us how you participated in today’s Rally Day!
CVBs, send us details about your Rally Day, and we’ll post them to share.
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