Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/134953
The Ramada Viscount Gort: Dan Harper sales and servicing Tourism Winnipeg will build market segment platforms with quantifiable activities that lead to fully measurable results. Strategic sales activities will be developed for the meetings and conventions, sports and special events, travel trade and leisure visitor segments in order to increase tourism to Winnipeg. Performance reporting standards will adhere to Destination Marketing Association International's guidelines. MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS The Canadian Economic Impact Study, prepared by The Conference Board of Canada, indicates the overall effect meetings and conventions have on the Canadian economy. According to the 2008 report, more than 673,000 meetings were held, representing 70 million participants, with total combined expenditures reaching $24 billion. Furthermore, more than $14 billion was generated in annual tax revenues for all levels of government, and industry output accounted for more than 550,000 full-time jobs. A convention is an event where the primary activity of delegates is to attend educational sessions, participate in meetings, socialize or attend other organized events, such as exhibits and trade shows. Educational programs and conventions are important financial activities for associations, accounting for nearly one-third of association revenue. According to the 2010 CITIES Profile for Winnipeg, the average business expenditure for Canadian, American and overseas visitors are estimated at $194 per night compared to a leisure visitor expenditure of $79 per night. Association (groups of people sharing common interests) meetings and conventions represent a much larger share of total A Master Tourism Plan for Winnipeg | 2011-2015 | 2013 UPDATE expenditures than corporate meetings as the average daily per person expenditure is higher. Ninety-five per cent of associations offer educational programs for their members, with 89 per cent of associations engaged in convention planning. In addition to the economic benefits of delegate spending, meetings and conventions contribute to the overall economic and professional development of a destination by: Attracting international events that relate directly to areas of government economic priority Creating forums for interactions between global investors and local businesses Creating destination exposure amongst a mobile, affluent and decision-making group who would not otherwise be likely to visit Attracting top professionals in any given field, thereby delivering global expertise into the host community where it is available to enhance local professional development and expertise Creating opportunities for the exposure of local business, investment, research and cultural products to a global audience Advancing international cooperation and understanding by creating forums for high-level exchanges, and helping build relationships through personal contact amongst participants Winnipeg's central geographic location, competitive pricing, sound infrastructure and strong relationships with association 25