TOTAL PACKAGE: “It’s not dates, rates,and space anymore,” Bill McMillan said. Planners are looking at the “overall value of the destina- tion.”
How are younger CVB and meeting professionals changing the industry? The way in which younger CVB andmeeting professionalsembrace social media for virtually every- thing they do makes communication more dynamic. At the same time, it can be a bit daunting for those of uswhoare catch- ing up to this new medium. I am very excited that this is hap- pening, as it is creating newways for us to build and maintain relationships in a really meaningful manner.
LEADERSHIP PROFILE
What, in your opinion, will be the top destination- selection criteria for meeting planners during the coming year? Overall value of the destination. It’s not dates, rates, and space anymore; it’s the totalpackage andhowit provides benefits that meet our clients’ objectives. I don’t see that changing for quite some time.
If you could turn back time, would you choose to go back to the dominant way of doing business in and the general business environment of 2007? Yes, I would, and it has little to do with our business. When we see businesses closing, people losing their jobs, and those without jobs struggling to find a job, it makes me long for those good old days of just a few years ago.
What innovations in the realm of social media/ networking and technology in general will your destination be pursuing in 2011? As new avenues of communication and technology become available, we’re eager to evolve and assist planners through thesemeans. Resources like empowerMINT.com, the only vir- tual national sales office for the DMO industry, are invalu- able connectors that put our destination in front of planners and meet their needs.
How has attendee behavior changed over the past two years? Attendees are finding that Charlotte is a different destination. Nightlife destinations like the EpiCentre and NCMusic Fac- tory, cultural diversions like the Mint Museum Uptown, and major attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame have rein- vented our city, making for memorable downtime and excel- lent off-site event options.