The document summarizes interviews with experienced meeting planners about the value of partnering with Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs). The planners note that CVBs provide an unbiased and competitive bidding process, have industry clout and local knowledge to negotiate good deals, advocate for the destination, and serve as a "one stop shop" to efficiently provide all necessary destination information for planning meetings. CVBs help eliminate friction in negotiations and ensure maximum efficiency and speed in the planning process.

1. What Some Planners
Wish All Planners Knew
About Partnering With a CVB
Engaging thoughts from planners experienced
with getting the most from their destination experts

2. My Interviews
Hello, my name is Terri Roberts and I
work for DMAI, the trade association for
visitors and convention bureaus, also
known as destination marketing
organizations.
As part of my work, I spend a lot of time
talking with planners about the value
they find in working with a CVB. It’s
always fascinating and I always wish I
could share what they find uniquely
valuable with more planners…so, here
are some of their thoughts compiled in
an easy to read format.
I hope you enjoy their perspectives and
are eager to connect with a CVB as you
search to find the right fit for your next
meeting.

3. Doug Wear, PhD
Wear & Associates
Managing a nonprofit, the board
was interested in a competitive
bid process and a level playing
field as well as avoiding
unnecessary middleman costs.
CVBs provide this. They also want
to find the biggest bang for the
buck. CVBs seem to have the
reach to find the properties with
the availability I need and the
willingness to negotiate mutually
beneficial contacts.

4. Donella Evoniuk
Senior Director, Conference Services
International Society for Technology in Education
A good CVB is like the silicon spray
invented by Clark W. Griswold in
National Lampoon’s Christmas
Vacation. Remember, he sprayed it
on the snow saucer to make it go
faster and ended up rocketing
down the hill at lightning speed?
A good CVB is like this spray –
when applied properly, it
eliminates friction and ensures
that clients are able to achieve
maximum speed and efficiency in
their negotiations.

5. Jason Weinstein
Director of National Events
AARP
CVBs come to the table with skin in
the game and a tremendous amount
of clout. Their focus is to promote a
specific geographic area and they
have the support of the community
to ensure success. The unbiased
information and guidance we
receive about the destination is
invaluable when creating positive
lasting memories of our event.
Additionally, CVBs have the ability
to advocate on behalf of their
cities, providing valuable raw and
finished marketing resources.

6. Jeff Willett
Director of Conferences
Quest International Users Group
CVBs are like “Ambassadors
of Good Will:” initiating
and fostering
relationships, providing
sound/accurate
answers, offering
alternatives, problem/confli
ct resolving, peace
keeping, bringing parties
together for the ultimate
win/win.

7. Karen Miles, CMP
Senior Meeting Planner, Meeting Services
American Physical Services Association
I, like most planners, do not
have the time to go it alone in
a very busy meeting
department. The CVB is the
one stop shop for all the
destination information
required for considering a
meeting location.
We rely on efficiency and
thoroughness. The CVB saves
us time with reviewing
availability with just one
exchange of the RFP.