Why Do I Include the Local CVB When Sourcing Your Hotel RFP?
As your planning partner, I will always involve the local Convention and Visitors Bureau, commonly called a CVB, when distributing your RFP to hotels in a destination.
Some destinations use the term Destination Marketing Organization, or DMO, but the purpose is generally the same. These organizations have established relationships with local hotels, venues and suppliers, along with extensive knowledge of the destination.
Including the CVB in the sourcing process gives me another local resource to help identify opportunities, uncover potential challenges and strengthen the overall search for your meeting.
What information can the CVB provide?
The CVB may be able to provide valuable destination intelligence that is not immediately visible in an individual hotel proposal, including:
Major conventions and citywide events
Seasonal demand and compression dates
Hotel openings, closures and renovations
Destination developments or construction
Transportation and accessibility information
Local venues and off-site event options
Restaurant, activity and supplier recommendations
This insight is especially helpful when we are considering a destination that may be unfamiliar to you or when several hotels appear similar on paper.
Can the CVB help identify additional savings?
Potentially. Many CVBs offer rebates, incentives, transportation assistance, site-inspection support, promotional materials or other destination services to qualifying groups.
Eligibility may be based on the meeting dates, total room nights, number of participating hotels or the overall economic value of the program. These opportunities vary by destination and are never guaranteed.
By involving the CVB early, I can identify available programs and determine whether your meeting may qualify before we finalize the hotel decision.
Does involving the CVB replace hotel negotiations?
No. The CVB provides destination support and local knowledge. It serves as a destination-wide resource rather than representing one specific hotel or hotel brand.
I will still manage the sourcing process, evaluate the hotel proposals and negotiate the rates, concessions and contract terms on your behalf.
The benefit to your meeting
When I include the CVB in your hotel search, you receive the combined benefit of local destination knowledge and experienced hotel sourcing support.
My goal is to make sure we are not simply finding an available hotel. We are evaluating the destination as a whole, identifying potential savings and gathering the information needed to make a well-informed decision for your program.
Ready to source your next meeting?
If your meeting requires 10 or more guestrooms on peak night, I can manage the hotel sourcing and contracting process on your behalf. There is typically no direct cost to your organization for these services because the selected hotel pays a commission.
Complete my Meeting Request Form, and I will begin identifying the right destinations and hotel options for your program.
Global Event Prof is operated by Jen Cease, CMP, CMP-HC, who is also an independent associate of ConferenceDirect. Hotel sourcing and contracting services are provided through ConferenceDirect.
