The unsung heroes of the meeting and event planning industry are the hard-working men and women who operate CVBs across the country. And while not every CVB has the resources or budget to provide all of the following, many do offer some sort of valuable services to meeting and event planners at no cost.
1. Visitor information. This can include maps, local guides, and brochures on events or attractions. This allows CVBs to promote the local businesses in their community while providing planners with need-to-know info.
2. Site visits. This service entails coordinating site visits between the planner and the venue or hotel event team, a task that allows the planner to skip the hassle and the time of tracking down contacts and making phone calls.
3. Registration services. Pre-registration and assistance with on-site registration including name badge distribution and information table frees up a planner to focus their energies on other responsibilities.
4. Promotional items. Bags, notepads, pens, lapel pins all can be incorporated into a swag bag for attendees.
5. Team building activities. Because CVB employees know their area so well, they can help coordinate activities for attendees that lend themselves to effective team building.
6. Activity planning. Spouses or guests of attendees will benefit from organized activities planned especially for them while attendees are busy with attending meetings.
7. Publicity assistance. CVBs have contacts with the local media and can assist in creation and distribution of press releases and advertising for an event.
8. Transportation arrangements. This service is very convenient for planners if attendees require shuttles to venues or from airports to hotels and back.
9. Room blocks. CVB employees will arrange room blocks with local hotels, as well as secure group rates.
10. Entertainment/Speakers. CVBs can easily locate entertainers or speakers who are local and book them for a meeting or event.
These are just a few of the complimentary services CVBs offer. Contact your destination CVB to find out what they can do for you.
