Before you dive into reading our marketing plans for 2009, you may be interested in downloading these documents:
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Dear members and tourism partners:
No one has to remind metro Detroiters that these are tough economic times.
For the DMCVB, the challenging economy simply forces us to be more creative and resourceful in our efforts to bring more tourism business to our region.
In 2008, that meant stepping outside the box and launching an innovative new advertising campaign aimed at our key drive in markets in Ohio. The campaign spurred more than 100,000 new trips to metro Detroit last year.
It also meant sharpening our marketing and sales efforts. That approach helped the Bureau manage to book more than 206 conventions that will generate more than $332 million in definite visitor spending.
And despite the economic climate, we have much to look forward to in travel and tourism in 2009.
First, we will host many great visitor events – including the NCAA Men's Final Four and the National Baptist USA convention – that will give our economy a much needed boost. And we also have some exciting plans to attract more tourism business in this new year. You can read about these new strategies here in this online version of our 2009 marketing plan.
Rest assured, the economic challenges of the past few years have only served to strengthen our resolve to make this the very best tourism destination.
On behalf of the DMCVB, I want to thank our many industry partners for your continued support. I look forward to working with you throughout 2009 to help metro Detroit reach its full potential as a travel destination.
Larry D. Alexander
DMCVB President & CEO
