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How the West Has Won
Big skies. Blue waters. Soaring mountains. Western destinations bring new meaning to meeting amenities. Here, some of their top executives answer a simple question: What is the one thing…?
… you try to cultivate within your CVB team? Our goal is to exceed expectations when working with clients, partners, and members.
Dave Gazley Vice President, Meeting & Convention Sales Tourism Vancouver
… meeting planners should know about your destination? Vancouver is a beautiful, clean, green, easily accessible, and great walking city that is fun and friendly. It is a truly international, cos- mopolitan, urban oasis. Our newly expanded, award-winning Vancouver Convention Cen- tre is one of the most spectacular convention facilities in the world, surrounded by world- class hotels right in the heart of a vibrant city.
… a meeting attendee shouldn’t miss doing or seeing while in your destination? Vancouver is surrounded by water and mountains; we are blessed with geography that is spectacular by nature. Dine at one of our fabulous restaurants with a sunset view of the water and mountains. Walk, run, cycle the famous Seawall, which runs almost all the way around the city’s edge — at the same time experiencing Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park, a natural temperate rainforest. Take the aerial tram to the peak of Vancouver at Grouse Mountain. Stroll Gastown or Yaletown, where the city’s heart beats and feel the vibe of Granville and Robson Streets day or night.
… you think will change with regard to meetings this year? Planners will be using technology to not just talk to delegates, they will use technology to talk with them. Video use in digital conferenc- ing, social media, even gamification — any- thing to engage the delegates and increase the value of their experience. Content will need to be delivered in different ways. Meet- ings will have to inspire and provide even more value in order to engage people.
locales for team-building and off-site activi- ties. Planners are most surprised by the short distance to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and they are seeing the Metro Light Rail that cores through Mesa’s downtown as an added value to their attendees.
… a meeting attendee shouldn’t missing doing or seeing while in your destination? Mesa boasts the largest arts and cultural complex in the entire Southwest. The Mesa Arts Center offers a wealth of corporate dis- covery programs centered on team-building and training through a variety of mediums. The seven-acre campus is a magnet for activ- ity in the city, and its design was inspired by the unique character of the Sonoran Desert
— a rich desert, mountain, and canyon envi- ronment. For planners, it’s a blank canvas featuring a complex of four theaters, five art galleries and exhibition space, 14 artist stu- dios, and a 700-foot Shadow Walk that cre- ates an inviting, shaded, outdoor-oasis plaza.
… you try to cultivate within your CVB team? To have a team that is passionate about our destination and expresses a positive, winning attitude in everything they do.
Marc Garcia President & CEO Visit Mesa
… meeting planners should know about your destination? The multitude of activities and experiences in Mesa is limitless. Mesa’s advantage is our close proximity to Tonto National Forest and our area lakes and rivers — literally, just min- utes from our hotels. The desert is our play- ground, and Mesa has some jaw-dropping
… you think will change with regard to meetings this year? Like most destinations in our industry, we will continue to face challenges as part of corpo- rate and association budget constraints. We like to say that planners can get the same Arizona experience for their attendees at a much lower cost. Items like free parking, complimentary breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi access, and room incentives really do make a difference to planners.
MARCH 2013 PCMA CONVENE 87