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Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 46 ence in San Diego, from our many free offerings to the priceless service we provide. Lastly, it strengthens us to keep up our optimistic spirit, one of our destination's best attributes. MELVIN TENNANT, PRESIDENT & CEO, MEET MINNEAPOLIS, OFFICIAL VISITORS AND CONVENTION ASSOCIATION Like everyone in the hospitality industry we have experi- enced the effects of the economic downturn. We are on track with our goals for booking meetings and conventions this year and see an increase in bookings for 2010 and 2011. Minneapolis is blessed with a number of Fortune 500 corporations and other busi- nesses that plan a number of meet- ings. We have used this time of eco- nomic uncertainty to do much more "backyard marketing" and ensure that when the economy rebounds, our local corporations have their "hometown" top of mind when planning a meeting. Minneapolis is an international gateway with daily non-stop flights to and from London, Tokyo, Paris and Amsterdam. Combined with the strength of the dollar in those countries, we have seen stronger international travel num- bers than we did in early 2009. For meeting planners we launched the successful promo- tional campaign "Meet in Minneapolis" last year. It is a program that offers discounts and incentives on meeting space and serv- ices. Its original intent was to attract local short-term business, but we have also offered this program nationally on a selected basis. In addition, Meet Minneapolis has aligned our sales force to target markets vs. territory – specifically sports. Minneapolis has a strong fan base locally and regionally and with the opening of the Twins Target Field opening in 2010, we see a tremendous opportunity to draw meetings and conventions, as well as leisure travelers to Minneapolis. We continue to promote Minneapolis to leisure travelers through quarterly promotions. We work closely with our hotel partners and local events and attractions to offer enticing pack- ages that show Minneapolis is an affordable and attractive place to visit. Meeting planners and consumers are more value conscious than ever. And we work closely with our hospitality partners to provide added value. Climate-controlled skyways keep people connected to shopping, restaurants and nightlife and our arts and culture scene and nightlife rival that of other cities. As a destination Minneapolis is safe, easy to get to and easy to navigate. Forbes.com recently named Minneapolis as one of the top 10 safest cities. The Delta merger flies 400 domestic and international into Minneapolis per day. The city of Minneapolis has 27 hotels and 6800 rooms that provide options for meeting planners and leisure travelers. And outdoor baseball returns in 2010. Target Field is just one more reason to meet or visit Minneapolis. TOM MULDOON, PRESIDENT, PHILADELPHIA CVB Located within 40 percent of the U.S. population, Philadelphia expects to end the year with 68 percent hotel occu- pancy rate. This is four percent lower than 2008, yet better than most major U.S. cities. In addition, Philadelphia contin- ues to see growth internationally. Through August Philadelphia showed the second-highest growing number of international arrivals at the airport; 8 percent growth year-to- date, only Orlando is higher. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), in collabo- ration with the Pennsyl-vania Convention Center Auth-ority (PCCA), is unveiling a new market- ing campaign for Philadelphia's convention market in December. "Philadelphia: The Complete Package" was created by meeting planners for meeting planners. It is every meeting planner's dream – the best meeting destination, with the best service, all wrapped up in one package. In addition, the PCVB remains focused on its Bring It Home campaign, which encourages local businesses and business lead- ers to bring or keep a meeting in Philadelphia. In 2009, a $130,000 investment in this campaign generated $5 million in business. Further looking ahead, the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) will reach new heights with its current expansion project; the only major convention center expansion project in the nation. When completed in March 2011, the Convention Center will grow by 60 percent, allowing for new major tradeshows or two conventions to be held simultaneously. A second entrance will result in the development of North Broad Street and the Convention Center District, leading to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) and a new Cherry Street Plaza connection to Museum Row on the Parkway. DAVID DUBOISE, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE FORT WORTH CVB Fort Worth has been impacted, but not nearly as much as other destinations around the country. We are fortunate that in our 2008-2009 fiscal year we booked a record-breaking 278,000 definite meeting room nights. One of the biggest reasons for this is the transformation of the city's accommodations in its pedestrian-friendly and safe downtown. The number of guest rooms has doubled thanks to new and renovated hotels, which allow us to host larger meetings than ever before. The recently opened Omni Fort Worth Hotel is the new con- vention center headquarters facility. This luxury property fea- tures 614 rooms and nearly 68,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The 294-room Hilton Fort Worth and 504-room Renaissance Worthington Hotel have both completed extensive renovations. The Embassy Suites Hotel Fort Worth-Downtown offers 156