The meetings industry is fast paced and ever changing. It’s hard to keep up with trends, let alone services and product changes in specific destinations. Talking to the Convention & Visitors Bureau destination experts is a good place to start. No one knows their destination better and has a better pulse on what is trending. Read on to hear from six CVB experts from various sized destinations on what they see as trending in the meetings industry.

"Personalizing the experience for the attendees – any unique suggestions you can share with the meeting planner – strengthens your relationship and earns credibility. Once I find out what is important to the planner or group, I always try to share the things that you can’t find in most destinations."

Mark Crabb
Vice President of Convention Sales & Services
 Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau

"Planners are paying attention more than ever to what expertise is available in a destination. They want to know how they can be supported and how to amplify their meetings content with CVB assistance."

Luke Wiggins
Meeting and Convention Sales Manager
Visit Rogers

"Meeting planners are looking for experiences! More and more they are looking for creative events that will make a lasting impression. This could be local tours, themed events or taking one of their meetings to a unique location outside the typical conference walls. The CVB staff can help suggest creative ways to make your meeting stand out."

Dana Ecker
Director of Convention Sales
Explore La Crosse

"One area we notice trending is the work/life balance.  In our area, we are seeing an increase of meetings that are combining a bit of family time with meetings.  We’re hearing from planners that this is an area they are emphasizing and one of the benefits is increased attendance.

Traverse City is a natural family friendly/adventure/activities type of area, so many of the amenities we offer help us accomplish this as a resort area.  In addition, our hotels offer pre and post rates to groups and have on-property amenities.  As a CVB, we work with planners to offer itinerary planning, creation of customized landing pages and customized email blasts that let attendees and their guests know what’s going on in our area before they arrive."

Tori Piersante
Vice President of Sales
Visit Traverse City

"I see more and more people looking to have a unique Colorado experience that they can’t find anywhere else. They’re looking for the "behind the scenes" tour and going to local hubs. Visit Aurora is continuing to build relationships with our community partners that make our destination unique. Places like Jubilee Roasting Company, Fox Theater, and any of our amazing ethnic eateries are where clients and groups can experience the authentic culture of Aurora."

Victoria Lewis
National Sales Manager
Visit Aurora

"Locally-sourced food product and unique, authentic venues. "Locally-sourced" has been a Southern tradition for generations. Our coastal cuisine includes local shrimp, oysters, flounder and blue crab, not to mention the locally-grown farm produce. The food in Savannah has been legendary for almost 300 years."

Jeff Hewitt
Senior Vice President
Visit Savannah