When things go badly for your community (I mean really badly), one of the silver linings is that a number of meeting planners of this nation's largest conventions and trade shows will be coming to your town in the years ahead.
When New Orleans was rocked by Katrina, a number of major Associations were quick to ask when they could meet in the Big Easy to bring the substantial buying power of large events to town to help the comeback. Today, it's Detroit's turn.
Not taking anything away from the sales professionals at the Detroit Metro CVB, the ignominious fall of one of the nation's major cities is a big reason that the "majors" are lining up to place events in the Motor City. It's our industry's way of infusing cash into a destination that needs a helping hand. And, we do it (not with a large check but) with tens of thousands of little checks from attendees, vendors and sponsors.
The Bureau has produced a :30 second video to encourage the community to step up its game this year as the city hosts ASAE (the Super Bowl of conventions), USA Volleyball, the Baptists, the ELCA and a boatload of others that will attract over 200,000 attendees.
Here's hoping those proud residents who remain (and the thousands that have been moving in) are the Team we all are pulling for them to be this summer.
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