Convention Sales

Strengths:

Central location Attractive venues ACVB services ACVB sales team Expo Center Dodge Jones Youth Sports Center

Weaknesses:

Limited air service Limited hotels with convention space Travel distance to convention center from lodging Limited resources (staff and funding)

Opportunities:

Convention hotel New and improved venues SoDA District

Threats:

Funding Affects of COVID on conventions Competition from other cities Convention Center rental increase Increased role of intermediaries

Micro Markets:

Association Meeting Planners Corporation Meeting Planners Military Planners Third-party Meeting Planners Tour Operators Reunion Planners Meeting Attendees SMERF (Sports, Medical, Education, Religious and Fraternal) Planners

Meeting & Event Planners

Meetings and conventions are the backbone of the ACVB’s work to provide economic impact to local businesses. The development of a convention hotel will be a valuable asset for the long-term growth and to leverage the community’s investment in downtown revitalization.v

Objectives:

Identify potential markets for overnight stays resulting in 10% increase in hotel bookings. Recapture lost business from the COVID-19 era, targeting group business that will use the new Expo Center arenas, convention and meeting spaces. Grow awareness about new downtown convention hotel and downtown meeting spaces.

Strategies:

Create and implement campaign to promote downtown convention hotel and meeting spaces. Generate a timeline to promote new tourism assets. Produce direct mail to key decision makers about downtown convention hotel, Abilene venues. Engage hotel and venue partners to create incentives for group bookings. Advertising in industry publications. A C E C N O M M A C T I T E R T O V A D A T I T I E I N M I S E O N N T S Create a digital packet of sales resources that are easily editable and can be emailed when needed. E X H I B I T S P A C E Refresh and redesign the format of print and digital bid packets. Targeted emails to meeting planner lists. Update convention video showcasing Abilene for sales bids. Create or secure virtual tours for major meeting spaces. M E E T I N G Conduct a local sales blitz to encourage Abilenians to bring P L A N N E R S conventions and meetings to Abilene. Sales blitz to 200+ meeting planners to share news about new and G U I D E improved venues. Exhibit and network at tradeshows: A B I L E N E V I S I T O R S . C O M v Southwest Showcase v Meeting Planners International

The renovations and expansion at the Taylor County Expo Center already are attracting new business.