By Casey Romano, Publisher

ABCs of CVBs - Iowa Destination Planning At Your Service

A best-kept secret of the meeting and event planning industry, Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs), are truly one of the best Iowa resources out there for planners.

Yet all too often, there are misconceptions about the extent of CVB services offered, associated costs and capabilities of these destination experts. This month, take a minute to learn more about the valuable destination planning services CVBs can offer your organization with this handy primer, ABCs of CVBs:

  • At your service. Imagine an organization that doesn’t charge you for its services. It’s true — most CVBs are not-for-profit enterprises and offer a menu of services to planners free of charge.
  • Beneficial for everyone. Most CVBs are available to work with groups of any size; large or small. Some CVBs even have designated staff or teams to work exclusively with small corporate groups to large conventions.
  • Create an experience. CVBs will often work with planners to not only create a promotional campaign for their event that encourages attendance but also to create an itinerary and event experience that has a lasting impression.
  • Distribute insider info. Save time and money by requesting your CVB distribute insider info to you by means of their wide-ranging database of vendors, venues and suppliers at their disposal.
  • Evade obstacles. The CVB can help you avoid scheduling conflicts and/or space shortages by consulting their own meetings/events calendar for hotel room counts and meeting space statistics.
  • Find event activities. CVBs assist with meeting planning, at times, even helping with team building activities for your group.
  • Give Direction. Because CVBs work for the good of their community, they have no biases. Count on them to direct you to vendors who will best meet your needs.
  • Help. Want to make local property rate comparisons? CVBs can offer impartial information about services and venues available in your destination.
  • Introductions. Visitor-related businesses count on their CVB to introduce planners to their products and services. CVBs will be happy to arrange a meet and greet to local businesses who best matches your needs.
  • Journal the Details. Most CVBs will not only execute an RFP to the services and venues that best meet your needs but will additionally journal the details, helping keep things organized in one place.
  • Kick things off. When it comes to site selection, CVBs will locate meeting space and check hotel availability for you, then schedule inspections and tours.
  • Liaison. Only a small percentage of CVBs operate the convention center in their locale. However, they will often have a working relationship with convention center staff and can help you get what you need.
  • Membership driven. CVBs can often be member driven, bringing together local companies that rely on tourism for business.
  • Navigate the destination. A CVB can put you in touch with other businesses in their communities, like caterers, rental agencies and transportation firms.
  • Off-site activities. Consult with a CVB to expand on a convention schedule with off-site activities for before and after, or for spouses.
  • Point people. For those planning a destination event, the CVB will be happy to act as your official point of contact at their location.
  • Quality services. Because they know all that’s going on in their town, CVBs are a great resource for helping plan your itinerary.
  • Resource for rooms. Need to block hotel rooms? CVBs will match your needs to properties in their area and help initiate the process.
  • Saving you time. You’ll streamline your meeting planning process by connecting with the area’s CVB right from the get-go.
  • Take care of things. Not only will they assist with on-site logistics and planning, but your CVB may even offer to help with registration.
  • Up-to-date information. Your destination’s CVB will be happy to send your attendees visitor and planning guides and coupon books when offered that detail the area’s hotels, resorts, restaurants, meeting facilities and local attractions.
  • Value-added extras. Think outside the box and ask your CVB for referrals on transportation services, security firms and even access to special venues.
  • Work with you. CVBs are connected to their destinations in multiple ways, and will know of public speakers and educational opportunities to suit your attendees.
  • X-pect the best. Festivals, fairs or sporting events that coincide with your event are ideal for after-hours activities. Ask your CVB what’s going on in their town.
  • Year-round service. CVBs aren’t just in the office during peak tourist times. Their job is 24/7/365. Call them year-round for great service and assistance.
  • Zero in on your needs. A CVB exists to market and sell their destination. As such, they want you to be satisfied and will do everything they can to make your meeting or event in their community the very best it can be.

Looking for CVBs that offer all this and more? Consider Ames CVB, Cedar Rapids Tourism, Catch Des Moines or Think Iowa Tourism perfected positioned in Central Iowa.

Planning east of the metro, give Travel Dubuque CVB a shout! Heading south, reach out to Meet Ottumwa!

Prefer to keep your group north? Consider Mason City, Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau, Experience Waterloo or Vacation Okoboji for quality referrals to the Iowa venues that fit your needs at their destinations!

Start today by checking out our Iowa event destination guide that is inclusive of all destinations offered in our four state searchable meeting and event supplier directory! Regardless of where you choose, any of these CVBs will be happy to go into even more detail about all the services their destination offers.

If you’ve never called one before, it’s time to start! Learn more about these fabulous destinations and more in our complete Iowa meeting and event destination guide where you’ll quickly discover that CVBs are a meeting planners best friend.

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Casey Romano, Publisher | meetingpages | casey@meetingpages.com

Creator of digital platform meetingpages complete event planning directory and resource delivering leads and national, regional and local exposure for event venues, suppliers and destinations in MN, WI, IA & CO markets. In her free time, this 19 year industry veteran enjoys dance, group fitness, and training her young golden retriever dog in competition obedience and confirmation.

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