What are the top trends driving the popularity of destination selection for meeting and events? This fall, as Cvent released their 3rd annual list of the Top 50 Meeting Destinations, it is evident that many times popularity and ultimately selection centers on getting a great deal! Saving money always hits the top rung of any planner survey about what’s important when planning a meeting. Planners consider cost a priority, and the Cvent survey has uncovered some interesting data to support just how important cost is to meeting location. In the end, cost effective meetings aren’t just about finding a bargain, much of the control is still in the hands of the planner; how you communicate the specifics of your meeting in your RFP will greatly increase the likelihood of a competitive bid. Join our webinar to learn how to leverage your meeting and find great deals: • Understand how your meeting is evaluated based on 5 factors of meeting desirability • Enhance and leverage those factors • Find destination and hotel promotions in empowerMINT.com’s destination profiles and Cvent’s Promotions Hub • How to enlist the help of CVB partners to make meeting negotiations more effective

1. Save Money on Your Meeting: Spend Less and Get More for Your Meeting

2. George Shagoury, Senior Director
of Sales
Cvent
Our Guest Co-Host

3. Beth Witzak, Global Account Executive, Conference Direct
Our Panelist
Julie Coker Graham
Executive Vice President, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

4. Our Discussion
Survey Results
Where to find deals
5 factors of meeting desirability
Resources to help you make meeting negotiations more effective
Enhance and leverage those factors

5. •Chicago rises to #1
•New Orleans and Nashville enter the Top 10
•St. Louis climbs 8 spots
•Louisville’s first appearance
Trends in the Top 50
Competitive Pricing in the Midwest

6. The Big Question
What do meeting planners want in a group promotion?

7. Ask Them!
Cvent conducts survey to find out.

8. Ask Them!
Cvent conducts
survey to find out.
Yields 779 responses
from meeting planners

9. Promotions Make an Impact
WHY?
of planners look for a promotion during the sourcing process
%

10. Promotions Make an Impact
WHEN?
of planners seek a group offer while researching venues
%

11. Promotions Make an Impact
HOW?
of planners say promotions usually influence their final booking decisions
%

12. Top 10 Concessions Most Valuable to Planners
Discounted Sleeping Rooms
Discounted Meeting Space
Meeting Room Wi-Fi
Discounted Menu Prices
Sleeping Room Wi-Fi
Allowable Attrition
Sleeping Room Upgrades
Discounted AV
Discounted Parking
Late Checkout Times

13. Top 10 Amenities Most Valuable to Attendees
Wi-Fi/Internet Access
Roundtrip Airport Transportation
Free Parking
Late Checkout
Meal Service
Early Check-in
Fitness Center Access
Business Center Access
Welcome Reception
Beverage Service

14. All meetings are NOT created equally

15. The Desirability Continuum
Higher Negotiation Leverage
Lower Negotiation Leverage

16. Factor 1: Meeting Rooms to Guest Room Ratio
“Space Hog”
Lots of meeting space vs.
guest rooms
Lots of guest rooms vs. meeting space “Opportunity Creator”
Higher Negotiation Leverage
Lower Negotiation Leverage

17. Factor 2: History of Guest Room Pick-up
“Attrition Attractor”
History of low pick-up compared to block
History of high pick-up compared to block
“Just Plain Attractive”
Higher Negotiation Leverage
Lower Negotiation Leverage

18. Factor 3: Time of the Year
“Prime Dates”
Meeting dates over times of historical high occupancy
Meeting dates over times of historical low occupancy
“Need Period”
Higher Negotiation Leverage
Lower Negotiation Leverage

19. Factor 4: Arrival- departure pattern
“The Blocker”
Arriving on Monday or Tuesday
Arriving on Sunday or Wednesday
“The Conventional Connecter”
Higher Negotiation Leverage
Lower Negotiation Leverage

20. Factor 5: Total revenue potential
“Just the basics!”
Limited or low ancillary revenue
Lot’s of ancillary revenue
“Kitchen Sink?”
Higher Negotiation Leverage
Lower Negotiation Leverage

21. Deals to be had…and where to find them
An exclusive collection of meeting focused offers

22. An exclusive collection of meeting focused offers
Opportunities from Cvent

23. We are the best FIRST point of contact to help planners FIND the right fit for ANY SIZE meeting.
CVB Promise and Value
To Planners
•Local expertise.
•Extensive in-market relationships.
•Comprehensive view of the destination.
•Free to you!

24. www.empowerMINT.com
•Review at-a-glance destination profiles
•Get destination news
•Find your Destination Expert
•Search and compare
•Submit a Quick Request or RFP to multiple destinations

25. Participation has earned you 0.5 credit hours for:
CMP Credit
Your CMP certificate and a webinar recording will be delivered in 5 business days.
CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning