The New dmo

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

Experience that goes the extra mile

As host to major events like the annual North American International Auto Show and Super Bowl XL in 2006, Detroit knows a thing or two about how to successfully pull off a big event. So when it comes to an experienced partner who knows all the ins and outs of the destination, the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) is the go-to source for every step of the planning process. This past February, the DMCVB celebrated

117 years of service. Quite a bit has changed since then, but the purpose has stayed the same — a mission of “hustling for all these conventions,” as stated by the bureau when it was formed in 1896. The DMCVB’s award-win- ning services team is still hustling for meet- ing planners in a number of ways, including

assistance with pre-show attendance build- ing, welcome programs, exhibitor services, housing, on-site registration, public relations, post-event evaluations, and even volunteer services. In fact, the DMCVB maintains a data- base of more than 5,000 skilled and experi- enced volunteers. “What makes our volunteer program dif-

ferent is that these are volunteers who were trained for Detroit’s biggest marquee event, Super Bowl XL,” said Harriet Carter, director of bureau services at the DMCVB. “They know our region inside and out, and they specialize in making visitors feel welcome.” Other special programs the DMCVB offers

for meetings and events include a VIP air- port-welcome program done in partnership

AT A GLANCE Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau services • Pre-show attendance building, welcome programs, exhibitor services, housing, on-site registration, public relations, post-event evaluations, volunteer programs, and more

Convention facilities • The 2.4-million-square-foot Cobo Center

Hotel rooms • 4,266 rooms downtown

Front and center Detroit’s lively riverfront is at the heart of its economic renaissance, and Cobo Center, which features a brand-new atrium with river views, is currently in the midst of a $300-million expansion and renovation due for completion in early 2015.

with major airlines, as well as a corporate social responsibility program that matches groups with local nonprofits. In addition, the DMCVB’s new meetings-dedicated website, meetdetroit.com, features an online toolkit with everything planners need to promote their meeting, from sample social-media posts to positive news articles about the destination.

For more information: Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau — Bill Bohde, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing; (313) 202-1920; bbohde@meetdetroit.com; meetdetroit.com

Comeback city Detroit’s Campus Martius district is home to many of downtown’s newest developments, including revamped hotels like the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit and new ofice headquarters for companies like Compuware and Quicken Loans.

90 PCMA CONVENE APRIL 2013 PCMA.ORG