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Tourism Industry & BACVA News

04-18-07
BACVA Releases Results of Destination Review
For Immediate Release: April 18, 2007

Media Contacts Only:
Sara Hisamoto
Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association
410-659-7071
shisamoto@baltimore.org

BACVA Releases Results of Destination Review

(BALTIMORE) - The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) met with its members today to review the findings of a recent destination review that was commissioned by BACVA's president and CEO Tom Noonan in February. The review, conducted by the third-party sales and marketing consulting firm, Frontline Inc., included more than 100 interviews with stakeholders and meeting planners who were asked about their perceptions of the destination, BACVA, the Baltimore Convention Center and the city's overall hotel community.

"When I was named President and CEO of BACVA three and a half months ago, I thought it was important to get a sense of the perceptions regarding BACVA and the challenges and opportunities facing Baltimore as a destination," says Noonan. "It's really a knowledge-seeking effort that will enable us to judge with clarity whether we are on the right track and, if not, what we need to do to get there."

Today's presentation, titled "Building the Future of Destination Baltimore - A Sales and Marketing Review," focused on how BACVA can further succeed with convention sales and marketing. The review also looked at how Baltimore stacks up against its competitive set and what it would take to make Baltimore a more competitive destination. A consistent theme from the meeting planners interviewed was that they want to deal with a city and a bureau that provide a seamless, one-stop shop for booking business.

"We assess our progress every day and adjust strategies accordingly, but it is important that we bring our partners to the table to gain their insight so together we can create a strategic plan for the destination and a road map for the future," says Noonan. "This process is an important step in achieving that goal."

Frontline made several key recommendations that include:

• Have more hotel representation on the BACVA Board

• Establish committee structure and goals for Board

• Increase BACVA budget

• Increase BACVA sales staff

• Create Baltimore Convention Alliance between BACVA, Convention Center and Baltimore hotels to attract more citywide conventions
• Create leisure marketing attractions committee to collaborate on marketing efforts
• Develop "backyard marketing" initiative to engage large corporations in the sales and marketing process
• Streamline the sales process between BACVA and the Baltimore Convention Center to create a seamless, coordinated sales effort that offers planners the one-stop shop they need and want in a destination
• There would be one board that would have oversight of BACVA and the Baltimore Convention Center
• Reach out and attract visitors from emerging and underserved markets
• Create a new citywide customer service program that reaches all hospitality partners from frontline staff to taxicab drivers

Not all of the Frontline recommendations are under the direct control of BACVA and, therefore, will require input and direction from other city agencies. Those dealing directly with BACVA will be reviewed by the BACVA Board.

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The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), a membership-based organization, is the official destination development and marketing leader for Greater Baltimore, responsible for generating incremental economic benefits to the community through the attraction of convention and leisure visits.