What a Meeting Planner Needs from a CVB

Recently the Association of Convention Operations Management hosted a webcast, "The Planners Answer Your Questions," which three meeting planners addressed, among other topics, the top things planners need from CVBs. Here are the answers:

1. Site Visits -- hosting a site visit is an excellent way for a CVB to build a planner's confidence that the destination will work. Planners need the CVB to be very visible. A sit visit provides CVBs the opportunity to demonstrate that they will be the connection for the hotels being used.
2. Client Advocacy -- Any assistance the planner can get in negotiating good rates will help in the decision process. The CVB should be involved throughout the entire event; representation from the CVB on the site inspection, pre-con, and during the event is a great help.
3. Destination Information -- The CVB needs be relied on for off-site venue and attraction recommendations. Clients like to offer their attendees the top 10 list of things to do and along with restaurant options. When CVBs pick what goes on the list, it carries a lot of weight with the client.

SOURCE: Successful Meetings Magazine