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ANTHONY DI FI LI PPO, PRE S I DE NT & C EO, NORFOLK CVB Fortunately, Norfolk has not encountered the major reductions in occupancy that many destinations have seen. However, the booking window has shrunk precipitously. Uncertainty about budgets and long range plans for their respective organizations has resulted in many meeting pro- fessionals taking longer to make future commitments. Norfolk remains a great value and planners, agents and individ- ual travelers continue to recog- nize this. The implementation of several value-added programs for both planners and individual trav- elers has continued to reinforce Norfolk's position as a friendly, affordable waterfront city. Norfolk's downtown area is so easy to maneuver. Whether it's on foot, bike or a Seaway, visitors of all ages have shopping, attractions and dining, just steps away. Our waterfront city has a vibrant, urban appeal, yet only minutes from a variety of waterways including the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. If you enjoy the water, what better place to explore it! History, recreation, attractions, culture...we have it all! For those wanting to venture out further and tour our region, Norfolk is also the ideal location to be based out of. Many of the region's highlights are within 30-45 minutes of downtown Norfolk. All of these amenities make Norfolk a consistently visitor-friendly and cost-effective destination for all travelers. LARRY ALEXANDER, PRESIDNET & CEO, DETROIT METRO CVB Detroit has felt the same pain that many other desti- nations, but to a lesser degree in many cases. Many local corporations and organizations including the automotive companies and unions are bring- ing meetings back to Detroit that they historically have held in other cities. Additionally, the growth of the defense market and clean technology has brought new business to the region as Michigan expands and diversifies its economy at a record pace. Our hospitality partners are cooperating more than ever to bring business to the region. An example is that the downtown hotels are currently offering a 25% discount off the mas- ter bill for new group business in 2010, booked by December 31. Detroit is, as many other second tier cities are, enjoy- ing a boost by groups that are opting out of some first tier destinations for reasons ranging from economics to per- ception. The true cost effectiveness of second tier desti- nations such as Detroit is now really being valued and in many cases required. Detroit also serves as the second largest hub for the world's largest airline, Delta. Detroit enjoys over 1,200 airline arrivals and departures every day. Additionally, Detroit has some of the most beautiful hotels in the country including five new hotels downtown. The new MGM Grand Hotel, the restored and historic Westin Book Cadillac, Doubletree Fort Shelby, Motor City Hotel and Casino and Greektown Casino Hotel. These hotels offer first class accommodations and exten- sive spa facilities in price ranges far less than first tier cities with comparable facilities. ELLIOTT FERGUSON, PRESIDENT & CEO, DESTINATION DC All destinations have certainly seen a decline in business but we haven't been impacted as much as others with cancella- tions; but we have seen planners continue the trend of mitigat- ing their attrition liabilities by reducing blocks and signing con- tracts much later in the process. Our numbers are strong with H ospitality industry movers and shakers across the nation are giving forth a collect sigh of relief as two thousand and nine, one of the most financially chal- lenging years in recent memory, draws to a close. However difficult the past year may have been, astute marketers have remained cautiously optimistic and proactive, making the necessary adjustments to keep their destination marketing efforts ahead of the curve. As we do each year, we put several questions to some of the top CVB heads in the industry, hoping to gain some insight into the strategies for coping and even flourishing during this trying economic downturn. Below are the three questions posed to each of the CVB heads, followed by their responses in their own words. 1. This has been a tumultuous year with the banking fail- ures, the swine flu crisis and the rising unemployment rates. Has any of this impacted the meetings/tourism industry in your destination? 2. What are some of the steps you have taken to bolster the confidence of meeting planners, travel agents and indi- vidual travelers that this is indeed a good time to travel? 3. What makes your destination is especially visitor friendly and cost effective for travelers during such econom- ically challenging times? •• By Gloria M. Herbert •• Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41