Sales and Marketing Segment: Conventions / Meetings 2022

ADVERTISING

PCMA

Brand placements in print publications and social media channels
Print placement in Convene conference publication
Sponsorship of destination-specific webinars

CONNECT

Advertising in key publications and platforms including website ads, email marketing, and social media in key markets

MPI (Meeting Professionals International)

Email marketing program to association’s US-based meeting planners
Targeted advertising utilizing advertorials and webinar sponsorships

CONVENTION SALES SUPPORT

Create a cohesive and compelling 18–month messaging plan for tradeshow and advertising messaging
Produce “hero” sales video for use in pitches and trade show activations
Complete rebranding and refresh of all sales collateral
Focus on expanding use of LinkedIn as the dedicated channel for Meetings & Conventions
Standardize branded collateral options for VIP tradeshows

Bureau Services

Standard digital support for VIP conventions
Collaborate with the membership team to hold in-depth customer service-focused marketing workshops

Sales Collateral

Create sales content by market focus (i.e., associations, corporate, family reunion)
Update sales digital blasts and e-vites while maintaining brand standards

SALES: NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

STRATEGIES

Target industry sectors that are on the rise in Detroit and engage local contacts
Develop strategies that will yield a 50% increase in customer connections and experiences within “key” markets
Increase opportunities for industry partners to interact with customers and highlight their venues
Develop a “Detroit Cares” program that showcases the ways that Detroit cares for their key customers and keeps them engaged
Develop and implement a Visit Detroit meetings and conventions webinar series to increase communication between key industry stakeholders and clients
Enhance strategic social media plan that incorporates partnerships with hotels, restaurants, staff, sponsors, and board members to elevate the positive stories about Detroit
Develop a strategic plan for digital/editorial communication that incorporates partnerships with hotels, restaurants, staff, sponsors, and board members to elevate the positive stories about Detroit
Develop a National Association Scholarship program that will allow the meeting planner to choose an Educational Annual Conference and Visit Detroit will pay for them to attend to enhance their meeting planning skills

TACTICS

Enhance the website to showcase all hotels, restaurants and venues that have a safe and clean program
Implement a medical community initiative who will help provide insight on trends, challenges and advantages within the industry
Host five webinars/customer events to highlight Delta Airlines, hotels, and venues safe and clean
Strategic Opportunity Research Initiative: analyze “lost business” by market and territory and identify what business would be most beneficial to focus on first for future opportunities within key markets
Strategic Opportunity Research: Identify new opportunities via Sales Tools: Knowland,
Sales Navigator, Linked-In, previous tradeshow/event attendee list and CRM to capture new opportunities for the region
Attend monthly webinars hosted by key industry organizations: PCMA, MPI, NCBMP, NYSAE, AMPS, US Travel Association
Develop opportunities for leadership to participate in key industry events as speaker or panelists
Develop communication outline to promote the city as a convention destination specifically, via industry partner channels such as PCMA news junkie, MPI Forum, etc.
Each sales manager will identify top 50 customers and collaborate with key partners
Sales manager and ADOS’s will schedule regular meetings to support strategic efforts that yield results for both small and large meetings
Social Take Over: Visit Detroit will orchestrate a social media take over that will include Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Toc. Sales will develop the copy and introduce to the partners, board, staff, industry influencers and industry leaders
Digital/Editorial: Michigan Chronicle, Parent Magazine, Metro Times, PCMA, Crain’s, MPI, Communications, NCBMP, Black Enterprise Magazine
Whether virtual or in person, attend key industry shows vital to our success in the National Association market, i.e., ASAE, Connect, PCMA, MPI, etc.
Attend monthly webinars hosted by key industry organizations: PCMA, MPI, NCBMP,
NYSAE, AMPS, US Travel Association, Events Industry Council, Black Enterprise
Create DTW week in DC by strategically sponsoring industry events occurring in the same week – OWN THE WEEK

SALES: RELIGIOUS

STRATEGIES

Reintroduce the Religious Meeting Planners Forum that will educate local and regional meeting planners on how to successfully plan a meeting in Michigan. To be hosted in person or virtually
Increase opportunities for our “Industry Partners” to directly interact with customers and highlight their venues
Develop a Strategic Plan for Digital/Editorial communication that incorporates partnerships with Hotels, Restaurants, Staff, Sponsors and Board Members to Elevate the Positive Stories about Detroit for Religious Opportunities
Develop a Religious Meeting Planners Scholarship program that will allow the meeting planner to choose an Educational Annual Conference and the Visit Detroit will pay for them to attend to enhance their meeting planning skills
Acknowledge Detroit Religious Icons/Leaders and look for opportunities to leverage more engagement and marketing opportunities

TACTICS

Survey our hotel partners and have them share their top three markets of preference to assist us with planning and implementing Customer Engagement and Partner Events. All
hotels that are interested specifically in the “Religious” Market will support and benefit directly from this program. Hotels will share incentives and special booking initiatives for the market. Visit Detroit will highlight the initiatives and incentives, and this will ignite vibrant discussions and leads and help rebound the market
Previously we focused on the Religious Market and hosted a forum in the suburbs to introduce religious meeting planners to key industry partners who support hosting faith based meetings Highlight local religious leaders and encourage them to actively work towards bringing their local, regional, and national conventions to our partnering hotels to help spearhead the rebound of our industry
Create list of top 20 accounts in the “Religious” market to actively solicit for business using RCMA membership list
Meet with editors of grassroots religious magazines that are based in Detroit and have them run Detroit articles that highlight successful meetings that have taken place and how we can help them plan their meetings
Strategic Opportunity Research Initiative: analyze “Lost Business” by market and territory and identify what business would be most beneficial to focus on first for future opportunities within key markets
Strategic Opportunity Research: Identify new opportunities via Sales Tools: Knowland,
Sales Navigator, Linked-In, Previous Tradeshow/Event Attendee List and CRM to capture new opportunities for the region
Digital/Editorial: Michigan Chronicle, Black Magazine, Parent Magazine, Metro Times, RCMA, Crain’s Communications, CMCA, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine
The Multi-Cultural and Religious market will be one of the first markets to rebound, so implementing a plan that supports the market will provide success for our suburban hotels, our planners, and the Bureau
Promote the Religious Meeting Planners “Scholarship” program to our top 20 Accounts, Grass Root Religious Magazines, Lost Business, Digital/Editorial Plan, and social media
Detroit is known for it’s strong religious ties to the community and we could solicit the to encourage their denominations to bring meetings to Detroit and help spearhead the rebound of the economy and recognize them via our media outlets
Sales Manager and ADOS will schedule regular meetings to support strategic efforts that yield results for both small and large meetings
Attend monthly webinars hosted by key industry organizations: PCMA, MPI, NCBMP, NYSAE, AMPS, US Travel Association, Events Industry Council, Black Enterprise

SALES: STATE ASSOCIATION

STRATEGIES

Quarterly sales calls in Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids
Maintain partnership and relationship with Destination Michigan, Meetings Michigan and continue involvement and presence in MPI/Michigan MPI
Provide education/FAM opportunities for key Michigan Association Planners – relationship building
Re-evaluate and qualify association accounts, build top account target meeting lists.
Create a top “Lost to Pursue” list – associations that we have been close to winning/want to draw from other Michigan comp markets.

TACTICS

Identify top producing accounts over the past five years and make sure to build
relationships with key planners in Michigan competitive set
Provide value to partnership by being the informational/connectivity authority for Huntington Place, Suburban Collection Showplace, and the metro Detroit hospitality community while staying educated through webinars, editorials (MPI, Crain’s, etc.)
Maintain communication with competitive CVBs – collaborate vs. compete
Stay involved and present in Lansing – Lansing client holiday party, Lansing client outing Evaluate value – do we convert and reduce funds for more quality Lansing sales calls ($20,000 + Lansing client holiday party, $10,000+/- Lansing client outing, etc.) *more with less*
Maintain participation in Meetings Michigan Sales Missions (Indy, Cincy, Cleveland, Minneapolis, etc. – TBD – drivable markets?)
Meetings Michigan annual sponsorship? – $1,000, MPI Mid America – $1,000+, Meetings Michigan Expo – < $1,000, MPI GLES – $1,000+
Maintain participation in Destination Michigan Local/State Events – Taste of Michigan Luncheon – $750, Destination Michigan Showcase? – $1,000+
Utilize virtual tools, Zoom/Google Earth, Screen Share, etc. for cost effective “FAM” and educational opportunities for Michigan Association Planners – bi-annual for mid-year and end of year touchpoints
Identify and build key target accounts to make sure planners have value and opportunity
Research and analyze CRM lost/definite/tentative business to identify what business would be most beneficial to focus on future opportunities
Utilize Knowland and LinkedIn Sales Navigator to uncover meeting histories and new connections with State Association meeting planners
(Lost to Pursue) examples – Michigan Townships Association, MI Parks and RecAssociation, MASB, MSBO, Michigan Waterworks Assoc. etc.

SALES: DIVERSITY

STRATEGIES

Develop a “Clean and Safe” program that will show customers and industry partners that our destination is open and ready to host their business
Develop strategies that will yield a 50% increase in customer connections and experiences within the “Multi-Cultural/Diversity” market
Increase opportunities for Industry Partners to interact with customers and highlight their venues with goal of attracting more business opportunities to Detroit
Develop a strategic plan for digital/editorial communication that incorporates partnerships with hotels, restaurants, staff, sponsors, and board members to elevate the positive stories about Detroit for multi-cultural opportunities
Develop a Strategic Plan and implement program to elevate conversations of diversity, inclusion, and allyship within the business community
Develop a hospitality program that provides mentorship for underrepresented students in the hospitality community
Develop and implement a Visit Detroit Meetings and Conventions webinars series to increase communication between key industry stakeholders and clients
Highlight diversity and inclusion importance, presence, and benefits (internally, website, publications, business, customer initiatives and business initiatives)
Develop a three-year strategic marketing plan for the DELP initiative with tangible goals that will result in a 30% increase in year long engagement and ultimately business opportunities(see comprehensive marketing plan)

TACTICS

Enhance the website to showcase all hotels, restaurants and venues that have a safe and clean program
Survey our hotel partners and have them share their top three markets of preference to assist us with planning and implementing Customer Engagement and Partner Events. All hotels that are interested specifically in the “Multi-Cultural” Market will support and directly from this program. Hotels will share incentives and special booking initiatives for the market. VisitDetroit will highlight the initiatives and incentives, and this will ignite vibrant discussions and leads and help rebound the market
Previously we focused on the Multi-Cultural Market and hosted dinners in the suburbs to introduce the market to our partners who support the actively support the market. Visit Detroit will encourage partners to develop special incentives for the diversity market and we will share with customer to help encourage them to choose Detroit. Reinstate this initiative
The Multi-Cultural and Religious market will be one of the first markets to rebound, so implementing a plan that supports the market will provide success for our suburban hotels, our planners, and the Bureau
Highlight local “Diversity” Corporate leaders and encourage them to support us bringing local, regional, and national conventions to our partners hotels. This will spearhead the rebound of our industry
Create list of top 20 accounts in “Diversity/Multi-Cultural Market and actively solicit for future business opportunities
Strategic Opportunity Research Initiative: analyze “Lost Business” by market and territory and identify what business would be most beneficial to focus on first for future opportunities within key markets
Strategic Opportunity Research: Identify new opportunities via Sales Tools: Knowland, Sales Navigator, Linked-In, Previous Tradeshow/Event Attendee List and CRM to capture new opportunities for the region
Attend monthly webinars hosted by key industry organizations: PCMA, MPI, NCBMP, NYSAE, AMPS, US Travel Association, Events Industry Council, Black Enterprise, NAACP,
National Urban League, Executive Leadership Council (ELC)
Digital/Editorial: Michigan Chronicle, Blac Magazine, Parent Magazine, Metro Times, RCMA, Crain’s Communications, CMCA, Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine
DELP (Diversity Executive Leadership Program) has been a great tool to initiative conversations but it’s time to maximize our engagement with the DELP’ers and the industry (Advisory Board, Lead Incentive, Awards program, newsletter, social media Influencers, see marketing plan for more details)
Sales Manager and ADOS will schedule regular meetings to support strategic efforts that yield results for both small and large meetings

SALES: UNION

STRATEGIES

Initiate, develop, or maintain relationships and partnerships with key national and state union groups
Meet and with union hotel properties to develop target/fit lists
Appreciation Luncheon – Local Union Luncheon with key media/awards to recognize the community effort. AFL-CIO, UAW, SEIU – Board Attendance? Union Meeting Planner(s)?

TACTICS

Sales Calls/Appointments with UAW (Coordinated Travel), Michigan Education Association, SEIU, etc.
Educate and grow knowledge of union market – trends, challenges, successes, etc. – webinars, editorials, etc.
Survey our hotel partners and have them share their top three markets of preference to assist us with planning and implement customer/event engagement. All hotels that are interested in the Union Market will help develop the program
Quarterly or Bi-Annual strategy meetings with active union hotels – Suburban and Downtown partners
Utilize LinkedIn, Knowland, MINT, and other available sales tools to build lists and prepare lists

SALES: GOVERNMENT

STRATEGIES

Identify whether this market is reactive or proactive for our region
Develop a strategic plan for this market that will increase 2021 opportunities by 10% now that the per diem has increased and Detroit hosted SGMP’s National Convention
Develop strategies that will yield a 50% increase in customer connections, leads and/or experiences within the “Government” market
Increase opportunities for Industry Partners to interact with customers and highlight their venues
Develop a strategic plan for digital/editorial communication that incorporates partnerships with Hotels, restaurants, staff, sponsors and board members to elevate the positive stories about Detroit for religious opportunities

TACTICS

Survey our hotel partners and have them share their top three markets of preference to assist us with planning and implementing Customer Engagement and Partner Events. All hotels that are interested specifically in the “Government” Market will support and benefit directly from this program. Hotels will share incentives and special booking initiatives for the market. Visit Detroit will highlight the initiatives and incentives, and this will ignite vibrant discussions and leads and help rebound the market
Schedule a strategy meeting with the hotel partners that will focus on the “Government Market” and develop a government incentive that will be promoted at government shows, events and initiatives to attract more business
Schedule quarterly or bi-annual partner strategy meetings with downtown and suburban partners to identify and target key opportunities
Collaborate with hotel partners to learn individual property government demand, successes, history, and strategies to help form a more cohesive effort within the community
Maintain industry national, regional, and local presence in the government market that will highlight our interest and desire to prosper within the market – MISGMP/SGMP Membership – 40th Anniversary Special
Continue membership/involvement with MI SGMP and SGMP to maintain relationships, networking, and CVB presence in the Government Meetings segment
“Evaluate and invest upon MISGMP/SGMP sponsorship and conference opportunities as 2021 calendar/schedule unfolds (MISGMP Annual Education Conference, SGMP National Education Conference, etc.)
Conduct sales calls, appointments, virtual interactions with key groups to determine value and demand of account
Develop a strategic plan for digital/editorial communication that incorporates partnerships with hotels, restaurants, staff, sponsors, and board members to elevate the positive stories about Detroit
Attend monthly webinars hosted by key industry organizations: PCMA, MPI, NCBMP, NYSAE, AMPS, US Travel Association, Events Industry Council, Black Enterprise
Strategic Meeting bi-monthly between the ADOS and the Sales Manager to monitor objectives vs. goals within the government market. Identify which small meetings have potential for a national meeting

SALES: CORPORATE

STRATEGIES

Use available sales tools to identify corporate groups that are re-implementing meetings and conferences
Grow relationships and partnerships with key corporate third parties – Cvent, HelmsBriscoe, ConferenceDirect, and American Express Meetings & Events Division
Collaboration between National and Sales Manager to determine individual and dual strategic efforts
Identify events that occur in 2022-25, in need months, requiring between 200-1500 peak room nights

UNIVERAL STRATEGIES

Develop a “Clean” and “Safe” program that will show customers and industry partners that our destination is open and ready to host their business
Develop strategies that will yield a 50% increase in customer connections and experiences within “key” markets
Develop and Implement a Visit Detroit meetings and conventions webinar series to Increase communication between key industry stakeholders and clients

TACTICS

Knowland Insight Group for history, primarily targeting companies in the Midwest and identified comp set
LinkedIn Sales Navigator – $780 Annually per Sales Manager
Utilize CRM History and Database to create target list of past Definite and Lost Business
Crain’s Membership $499 – access to lists, contacts, database, digital editorials, etc.
Develop interactive LinkedIn groups to provide information and dialogue with key third parties – provide relevant hospitality information, regional developments, cleanliness/safety initiatives, and an overall relevant one-stop shop for all things Detroit
Utilize readily available tools – Zoom, Google Earth, Screen Share, etc. to provide virtual experiences to educate, market, and sell the destination to third parties
Depending on budget, format, restrictions, etc. attend In-Person or Virtual Conferences for HelmsBriscoe (Annual Business Conference – ABC) and Conference Direct (Annual Partner Meeting – APM) at least one member from Sales Team (appointment-based attendance)
Quarterly meetings with key hotel partners – downtown and suburban, to construct target list and fits individually and collectively as a community in tri-counties”
Bi-weekly in-person or zoom calls to evaluate pipeline, key sales actions, and target list
STE(M)S – Science, Technology, Engineering, and (Mobility/Medical), sustainability – develop corporate sales plan that focuses on these key industries that are stable and growing in the Detroit market
Maximize CRM database, Knowland, industry peers and Crain’s’ database for research opening information for our region
Target companies HQ in top 3 feeder markets: MI, IL, and CA

SALES: HOBBY GROUPS, SOCIAL AND FRATERNAL

STRATEGIES

Determine accounts who have previously considered Detroit and solicit them for future opportunities
Sales Managers will meet with hotel partners regularly to determine need times for the social market
Sales Managers will identify new customers to solicit for business

TACTICS

Utilize CRM, MINT, & Knowland to determine viable accounts to rebook in the metro Detroit area
Utilize CRM, MINT, & Knowland to determine viable accounts to book new business in the metro Detroit area
Schedule regular meetings with partners and determine strategy for soliciting groups based on business needs
Sales Manager and ADOS will schedule regular meetings to support strategic efforts that yield results for both small and large meetings
Create list of top 20 accounts in this segment to actively solicit.
Create blog posts on topics of interests to the social market, i.e., LGBT initiatives, car enthusiasts, etc.

SALES: FAMILY REUNION

STRATEGIES

Develop a social media marketing plan to educate the community on why and how you can host a successful family reunion in Detroit and to also gain attendance at the planning seminar
Develop a print/digital marketing plan to promote the family reunion market with focus on suburban hotels
Host a reinvented annual family reunion planning seminar

TACTICS

Create a dedicated Visit Detroit Family Reunion Facebook page and send eblast to reunion planners in CRM database to like and follow
Maintain Facebook page by posting updates regarding Visit Detroit, partners, planning timelines for upcoming reunions, pertinent information for this market, administer contests and campaigns to gain interests and engage the community.
Use Facebook page to highlight partners that have special family reunion packages/promotions
Use current Visit Detroit Instagram to promote family reunion planning seminar and reunions held throughout the reunion season using a special hashtag
Utilize local publications to promote Detroit as “The Ultimate Family Reunion Destination,” this includes Visit Detroit magazine and website; BLAC magazine and website; Michigan Chronicle; Metro Times; Metro Parent; Detroiter Magazine and Detroit Regional Chamber website
Create top 10 reasons to host your family reunion in Detroit
Develop virtual/hybrid family reunion planning seminar
Revise marketing materials
Participate in partner events that highlight and engage family reunion planners

2023 Visit Detroit TOURISM AND CONVENTION SALES MARKETING PLAN

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Partnership

About Visit Detroit

Media Resources

Sales and Marketing Segment: Conventions / Meetings 2022

ADVERTISING

CONNECT

CONVENTION SALES SUPPORT

SALES: NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: RELIGIOUS

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: STATE ASSOCIATION

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: DIVERSITY

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: UNION

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: GOVERNMENT

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: CORPORATE

STRATEGIES

UNIVERAL STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: HOBBY GROUPS, SOCIAL AND FRATERNAL

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

SALES: FAMILY REUNION

STRATEGIES

TACTICS

2023 Visit Detroit TOURISM AND CONVENTION SALES MARKETING PLAN

Marketing Segment:

Sales and Marketing Segment:

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