Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/34521
35 countries for the 55th annual competition, the largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition in the world. GPTMC has won four Platinum Adrian Awards since 2004. GPTMC won the Platinum Adrian Award for the With Love, Philadelphia XOXO®campaign in the public relations con- sumer marketing program category. The organization also took home a Bronze Adrian Awards for With Love in the advertis- ing full campaign category. Developed in direct response to the recession and designed to work across all marketing platforms, the campaign launched in 2009 and features love letters to reach various audiences. Penned by the city itself, the letters demon- strate a bit of Philly “atty-tude” while extending the invitation to visit. With Love helped drive increases in leisure tourism to Center City in both 2009 and 2010, with leisure hotel room nights increasing 3% in 2009 and 13% in 2010 to more than 800,000 — a record for Center City hotels. HSMAI is a global organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.comor uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676. THE NEW‘LAUDERDALE CONVENTION COLLECTION’ OFFERS ONE-STOP PLANNING FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s SUNsational Service Team Handles All Details for Groups up to 2,700 Rooms In Six Luxury Hotels Near the Broward Convention Center Greater Fort Lauderdale is raising the bar for major meetings with the introduction of an innovative concept called the ”Lauderdale Convention Collection.” The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (GFLCVB) “SUNsational Service Team” has joined forces with six leading, upscale hotels (all within a mile and a half of the Broward CountyConventionCenter) to accommodate groups of up to 2,700 rooms in a single,unified convention experiencewhile pro- viding one-stop planning assistance. In addition to accommodations and hotel facilities, planners can take advantage of special savings through the Convention Collection program that include complimentary meeting and event space at the convention center, complimentary one-hour Board ofDirectors andConventionWelcome receptions, commemorative gifts fromlocal suppliers, and a 10 percent discount on such services as food and beverage, electric, audio/visual, internet and security staffing. “By creating a single hospitality experience for large groups, the “Lauderdale Convention Collection” puts Greater Fort Lauderdale ahead of the game in attracting national and internationalmeetings, conventions, exhibitions and special events,” said Nicki E.Grossman, the CVB’s president.“This is a win-win concept for convention planners and their clients as well as for the convention center, the hotels, and the entire tourismindustry ofGreater Fort Lauderdale.” The six hotels participating in theCollection include theHilton FortLauderdaleMarina,TheHyatt NICKI E. GROSSMAN Regency Pier Sixty-Six, the Harbor BeachMarriott Resort & Spa, the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel, The Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, and the Fort Lauderdale Embassy Suites. Speaking for the group, Carlos Molinet, general manager of the Fort Lauderdale Marina, noted:“TheConventionCollection is a tremendous asset because together and individually the hotels can attract business they otherwise would be unable to accommodate.At the same time, by offering a distinctive, highly appealing convention experience to the largest groups, the stature of Greater Fort Lauderdale as amajormeetings destination is strongly enhanced.” In addition to a total of 2,700 rooms offering beach or IntracoastalWaterway views, the Collection hotels provide easy access not only to the convention center itself but to all of Fort Lauderdale’s unique venues, cultural and sports attractions and facilities, restaurants and nightlife. Equally important, by working with the GFLCVB’s SUNsational Service team, planners can get assistance in confirming availability of accommodations, planning site visits, creating a com- prehensive proposal, coordinating transportation and vendors andmarketing in order tomaximize attendance.Adding to the efficiency and ease of planning is the assignment of a single, consistent contact at theGFLCVB for each group. Recognizing the significant potential benefits of the Collection, the GFLCVB is implementing a comprehensive mar- keting strategy to maximize awareness of the nation’s meeting planners. In addition to ongoing public relations initiatives, a brochure and dedicated web page have been developed and the Collection will be promoted at upcomingmajor industry events inWashingtonD.C. and Chicago and elsewhere, through telemarketing and email communications, and cooperative advertising. For details on booking the Broward County Convention Center and Lauderdale Convention Collection, call (800) 356- 1662 or visit www.sunny.org/conventioncollection. Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9