Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Pocono Mountains, PA
David M. Jackson, CMP, vice president of sales for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, says he expects the meetings industry to continue to be a sellers’ market through 2019.
He also expects that planners will be more interested in knowing what security measures and programs are being utilized by lodging and event facilities. This will result in more formal security plans being drawn out during the sales process and later passed along to both delegates and guests.
“Successes will come from second and third tier cities in the form of increased demand and revenues,” predicts Jackson. “Planners will be looking at new desti- nations that fall into the ‘road less traveled’ mold. Reasons include affordability, farm-to-table ideas, change of pace for their delegates, as well as flexibility. In other words, the little guys are going to look even better to planners and will offer a safe haven for their meetings and events.”
As for the Pocono Mountains CVB’s goals for 2019, Jackson expects to continue to grow the medical and pharmaceutical markets in the area. He also hopes to attract larger conventions (500-plus delegates), increase international guest trav- el, and to continue to build the region’s reputation as a clean and green destina- tion for meetings and group events.
Visit Bucks County Bucks County, PA
Jenna Worrell, business development and events manager for Visit Bucks County, says that no matter which sector of the hos- pitality industry she observes, she sees a broad experience being in the mix of top trends. “Visitors
and event goers both are looking for a well-rounded and full range of experiences to integrate into their plans, including: adventure, culinary, culture, history, hands-on experiential and more.”
Worrell also foresees an emphasis on catering more to the “new- gen sector,” which is a softer term she prefers to use for the Millennial generation. “With it being the largest generation in the nation, the growing demand to meet the needs of the new-gen is essential for the success of the meetings and events industry. In doing so, I think an approach to “bleisure” marketing (a blending of business and leisure), work-life balance, enhancing the overall meeting and event ‘experience,’ and incorporating health and well- ness are all attractive to the new-gen.”
Worrell adds that she also believes the tourism events industry is all about becoming a “one stop shop” with everything the client needs in one convenient location. “Whether the client is traveling for leisure or business, I think spaces that provide the best on-site amenities, which are pertinent as part of site and destination selec- tion, will be the most successful.”
She notes that Visit Bucks County focuses on being innovative with regard to education, events/scheduled initiatives, as well as mar- keting. “We strive to stay on top of trends to keep Bucks County top-of-mind for tourism, off-site meetings, corporate events, leisure travel, groups, retreats, team building, weddings and more.”
Worrell says that the bureau’s staff members take part in educa- tional opportunities pertaining to tourism, meeting/event groups, and marketing. “We partner with leading industry members and incorporate top trends in our scheduled events. As for marketing, we are putting an emphasis on video production to market the Bucks County region.
4 0 Januaryz February2019
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