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Convention Sales
6/1/2019-5/31/2020 Meetings Hosted & Serviced
Assisted Bookings
Future Bookings
Meeting & Event Planners: Conventions
Meetings and conventions are the backbone of the ACVB. The development of a downtown hotel will be a valuable asset for the long-term growth for this market. The core belief of the ACVB is that building trusting relationships through personal contact is key to growing group business. v
Objectives:
Increase hotel bookings by 5%. Grow government meeting business by capitalizing on $94 federal per diem. Alert meeting planners to new and improved meeting space inventory.
Strategies:
Direct sales to known meeting and association planners. Advertising in industry publications. Targeted email campaigns. Quarterly sales calls to the state capital to court meeting planners. Update convention video showcasing Abilene for sales bids. Renovations and expansion at the Taylor County Expo Center
already are attracting new business.
Incentives for sizable conventions that use the
Abilene Convention Center. Conduct a local sales blitz to encourage locals to bring conventions to Abilene. Austin Sales Blitz to 200 meeting planners to share news about Abilene’s new and improved venues after groundbreaking for new convention hotel downtown. Exhibit and network at tradeshows: • Southwest Showcase • Meeting Planners International • Texas Society of Association Executives • Connect Texas Seek out new marketplaces and publications to promote the downtown convention hotel. Target government meeting planners.
