As planners get ready to meet again, it will require the partnership of destinations to get the ball rolling. Event professionals and suppliers are equally excited to get back to meeting and Smart Meetings wanted to provide a fun way for destinations to show just how ready they are.
In the spirit of meeting face-to-face, we ran a video contest asking convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and venues to create a 30-60-second video clip welcoming meetings planners back in the most creative way possible. We were inspired by the unique ways CVBs showed their distinctive personalities.
Picking one winner was almost as difficult as selecting a favorite Zoom shirt. That is why we decided to share all of them here with you in this article. We hope you enjoy them as well.
Winner: Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
Little Rock CVB was chosen for its crafty combination of relatable humor and welcoming tone. Little Rock reminds us that while working from home comes with many comforts, such as the ability to keep on your comfy pants and drink those happy-hour “Quarantinis,” we’re also reminded why meeting in person is such a blessing and why we do any of this in the first place—the people.
Honorable Mentions
Our Honorable Mentions were also incredibly inventive in how they went about creating their videos. From depicting the emotional rollercoaster of rescheduling the annual Quidditch tournament to lazing out at the beach, and riding bikes through meeting rooms and lobbies, these CVBs did it all.
Visit Eau Claire
St. Augustine
Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority
Springfield, MO Travel & Tourism
Tourism Whistler
Visit Santa Rosa
Thank You All!
We at Smart Meetings appreciate the effort all our CVB friends made to welcome back our event planners. Following are some more notable mentions for your viewing pleasure!
Visit Knoxville
The “nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town” in Tennessee is the perfect place for attendees looking for some post-meeting adventure.
Visit Monterey
Well known for its marine life and wineries, Monterey County, California is a destination full of opportunities for relaxation and calm.
Visit Tampa Bay
Action-packed and ready for your groups, sunny Tampa Bay, Florida is a southeastern paradise.
Waldorf Los Cabos Pedregal
The beautiful Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in Mexico is back in business. So many friendly faces in one video gives you no choice but to pay a visit!
Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau
Things may have changed over the last four months, but Dayton CVB’s commitment remains the same.
Heber Valley
If your group is nature-inclined, take them to the mountainous Heber Valley in Utah!
Sonoma County
This video from Sonoma County caught our attention as it shared an important message for all groups.
