Recently, the importance of the group meetings market, and the appeal of San Diego as a meetings destination has been highlighted in the news. Travel to San Diego generated by a convention or meeting has an estimated $4.5 billion impact on the local economy according to the 2011 San Diego County Visitor Profile Study.
In August, the Global Business Travel Association, whose members include business and meetings travel planners and suppliers, held their annual convention at the San Diego Convention Center. The Union Tribune’s Lori Weisberg was able to interview Michael McCormick, the group’s Executive Director, about his thoughts on San Diego’s opportunities in the global business marketplace. One point he made clear was that business is more and more global, and that continuing to grow international air service will be key for San Diego’s growth.
However, he does feel that San Diego has the product offerings to be competitive, saying, “San Diego can be very competitive. Certainly as a convention destination, it is top tier, so for companies looking to have large meetings, it’s a good choice. You have good facilities, hotel space and the weather is decent, too. It’s a comfortable hybrid between a city that conducts business and has a laid-back flair. ” Read the full interview…
San Diego was also highlighted in Cvent’s release of its Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the United States. Using its meeting and event booking activity through the Cvent Supplier Network, it determined the city ranking. San Diego advanced this year into the Top 5.
The top 10 cities are: 1. Orlando 2. Chicago 3. Las Vegas 4. Atlanta 5. San Diego 6. New York 7. Washington DC 8. Dallas 9. Miami 10. Phoenix
Click here to see the full press release…
This is a highly competitive marketplace that cities around the world compete for due to the large economic benefit it brings to a community. As San Diegans, it is important that we continue to support the development of travel infrastructure, which is key to meeting planner customers choosing San Diego over another city. For more information Tourism Industry impacts to our local economy, visit www.sandiego.org/research
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