Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau News
'Let's Meet in The D!' Program Unveiled to Diversify and Grow Detroit Region's Economy
Regional leaders invite local companies to choose metro
"There is significant opportunity for local businesses to help grow and diversify our regional economy," explained Ilitch, who is also president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. "Our destination product is the best it's been in nearly half a century and we're now well-positioned to capitalize on the meetings, conventions and tourism market. 'Let's Meet in The D!' is about keeping dollars in the local economy, creating jobs in the region, demonstrating pride in our hometown, changing perceptions of our region, and jump starting a meetings and tourism industry that is ripe for significant growth."
'Early Adopters' Help Build Momentum
Ilitch noted that he wanted to use his tenure as chairman of the DMCVB board to champion an initiative that could positively impact the region. He shared the plans with the DMCVB Executive Committee last month and announced that Little Caesars, which is owned by
Over the last several weeks, Ilitch has actively recruited other early adopters to join the program in an effort to give it a running start for its official launch today.
General Motors, the largest employer in the region and a true leader in supporting the communities where it does business, has identified over 15 meetings that will be scheduled in
"When we moved our headquarters to the Renaissance Center a decade ago, we envisioned a future when the city would become a destination point for people to live, work and play," said
Other early adopter companies are: Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Leveraging Strengths to Spark Growth
"As individuals and leaders in the business community, we can make a difference by taking action to spark our growth, and meetings and conventions can significantly impact our local economy," said Ilitch. "Today, meetings and conventions represent only just over three percent of our local economy," Ilitch explained. "We believe we can double that number simply by leveraging our strengths to develop the fastest-growing segment of this industry — the small meetings market. We simply need to engage everyone in the community to get behind this effort!"
"Let's Meet in The D!" encourages local companies to consider the metro region as a location for meetings. It also establishes a network of proactive ambassadors showcasing our destination, investing in our communities and supporting our local economy. Businesses are also asked to use their relationships with trade and professional organizations to encourage them to consider
"'Let's Meet in The D!' is actually quite simple: it is about making a difference," explained Ilitch. "Business and community leaders want to help build and diversify our economy here. This simple and highly actionable initiative can bring immediate positive benefits to the region, most notably new jobs. The fact is, whether it's a meeting of 50 or a meeting of 5,000, if every local business leader considered hosting just 10 percent of the meetings they currently hold outside the region within southeast
'Product Trial' — DMCVB Expects Positive Impact on Perceptions
"We make this pitch regularly to companies and organizations outside
After people visit our region, they are impressed, overwhelmingly pleased with their experience, and often indicate that their perception of metro
Over the last five years, the region has seen the addition of several new state-of-the-art host facilities including new and recently remodeled hotels, banquet and meeting facilities. Among these, the Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino Hotel, as well as the Royal Park Hotel in
Plus, the region is highly accessible. Sixty percent of the U.S. is within a five-hour drive or 90-minute flight of southeast
The region also boasts a strong creative industry to support meetings and events. So no matter what meeting need a company might have — from staging to production to marketing and event coordination to transportation, businesses will find top talent to meet those needs.
Local Businesses to Benefit
"From audio-visual to florists to transportation companies, a myriad of businesses benefit by each and every meeting that is hosted here," added Alexander. "We need those of us who make this region our home to actively recruit business to the region — from small meetings to large, from startup businesses to industry trade associations to multi-national companies — utilizing our own contacts can produce real results."
The DMCVB plans to release ongoing results for the program on a regular basis and provide an economic impact study to demonstrate the results. For details about hosting your next meeting in
About the DMCVB
The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to market and sell the metropolitan
Editor's Note: Early adopter contacts and statements are available by contacting
SOURCE Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
Search Our News Using Google Search
Can't find what you want? Try using Google:
