2009 Business Forecast for Meetings & Events in Detroit is…Optimistic

Perception is everything. Remember back when the automotive executives flew on corporate jets to Washington DC to make their case for a federal loan? This created a public relations mess for the companies, one that they would surely not repeat. Well getting back to perception, amid the current economic conditions it just doesn’t look good for companies to book their non-incentive meetings and events in traditional incentive markets. Sure, this doesn’t bode well for top domestic incentive markets such as California, Arizona, Texas and Florida, but their loss is forecasted to be Detroit’s gain.

Do you remember the public outcry against AIG for going through with an incentive trip in Phoenix that was booked long before receiving their bailout? (If not, google “AIG in Phoenix”) I’m not defending AIG, but people in the industry know that a last-minute cancel would have cost them most of what they spent (minus the excessive spa fees of course). The negative press was so overwhelming it was truly a 21st Century tarring & feathering. This is precisely why companies, especially Michigan-based, are booking their meetings and events in Detroit.

For several months, the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (http://www.visitdetroit.com/) has been leading the charge to market Detroit as a destination. In a letter from DMCVB Chairman, Christopher Ilitch and DMCVB President & CEO, Larry Alexander, dated May 21, 2008 titled “Let’s Meet in The D!” they cite the following companies who are either “on board” or who have “stepped up” to choose Detroit as their destination for 2009: Little Caesars, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Northwest Airlines, Crain Communications, Bank of America, Deloitte, Detroit Medical Center, ePrize, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Strategic Staffing Solutions and Verizon Wireless. (For more on the letter: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS179715+20-May-2008+PRN20080520). While I treat our business and clients confidential, I can say that we have already done work in 2009 or have commitments from multiple companies just within that list. As a proud member of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Premium Event Services (http://www.premiumeventservices.com/) is a great resource to help you book your next meeting or event in and around Detroit.

And one final thought going back to my original point. Perception is almost everything. It doesn’t hurt that Detroit is home to top talent, first-class venues and amenities to hold meetings, events and conventions.