The impact of the CCTB booking of a large convention in Chicago is significant - and there's a whole host of ways that CCTB members can reach potential customers throughout the process. Not only do our members help us promote Chicago as a premier business destination, but we offer a number of opportunities for you to promote your individual business along the way.
Keep in mind that convention sales and marketing can be a complex process, often with a long timeline. There are many layers of activity that can be spread out over as many as 7-10 years for large conventions, with the booking process alone taking 1-2 years. Corporate and smaller meetings have much shorter timelines - about 3-18 months on average. In both cases, the investment is more than worth it in the end.
1 - What happens 2 - How you can reach customers 3 - When
Reaching meeting planners
1 CCTB engages in ongoing sales and marketing efforts with those planning group meetings
2 Meeting Professionals Guide, choosechicago.com, meetinchicago.com, Chicago's "We're Glad You're Here" (CWGYH) special values list, industry trade shows or events, CCTB-organized events with customers
3 Ongoing with both current and potential customers
1 Potential customer asks CCTB to submit a formal proposal or bid, or informally requests specific information, for a specific event
2 Meeting Professionals Guide, choosechicago.com, meetinchicago.com, CWGYH special values list, possible inclusion in fulfillment of request (e.g. a group that does a lot of spousal programs may request a list of area shopping centers)
3 Anywhere from 5-10 years in advance for a large trade show to 3-18 months in advance for a corporate or smaller meeting
1 CCTB issues a hotel lead for sleeping rooms and/or meeting space
2 Leads distributed to member hotels only; customer may specify type and location
3 Hotel contracts can be completed as far in advance as 5-7 years for a large convention and one week in advance for a small gathering
1 Various staff members and event organizer search for local products and services to help plan event and related activities
2 Meeting Professionals Guide, choosechicago.com, meetinchicago.com, Chicago Connections newsletter, CCTB lead system, referrals from other CCTB members, CCTB-organized events with customers, site inspections; members may also contact organizer directly using Online Convention Calendar
3 1-2 years for a larger meeting or trade show; much less for a corporate or smaller event
1 - What happens 2 - How you can reach customers 3 - When
Reaching exhibitors
1 Event organizer promotes Chicago as location of upcoming event to current and potential exhibitors
2 meetinchicago.com, pertinent information from Meeting Professionals Guide
3 May start prior to this year's event - if annual, and continues until Chicago event
1 Exhibitors search for local products and services to help plan their exhibit and related activities, such as client entertainment
2 meetinchicago.com, Meeting Professionals Guide, CCTB lead system, referrals from other CCTB members
3 May start prior to this year's event - if annual, and continues until Chicago event
Reaching attendees
1 Event organizer promotes Chicago as location of upcoming event to current and potential attendees
2 meetinchicago.com, Chicago Official Visitors Guide; CCTB drives traffic to website with a number of tools for event organizers, including the Digital Marketing Kit, special web splash pages and customized ads
3 Starting at this year's event - if annual, and continues until Chicago event
1 Individual attendees and exhibit staff prepare for their trip to Chicago
2 meetinchicago.com, CWGYH Special Offers list, Chicago Official Visitors Guide
3 From one year in advance to days before traveling to Chicago
1 Event takes place in town
2 CWGYH special offer list on specially wrapped Chicago Tribunes delivered to hotel room doors of attendees of select events, CWGYH signage or welcome banners onsite at your business, McCormick Place Brochure Racks, Chicago's Official Visitors Guide distributed at airports, visitor information centers, hotels, McCormick Place and Navy Pier; incidental visits
3 Anywhere from 2-5 days
1 Event organizer considers whether/when to bring another event to Chicago in future
2 Previous Chicago experience, other activities as before
3 Indefinitely
1 Individuals who attend an event in Chicago consider returning to Chicago for leisure and/or other business
2 Previous Chicago experience, other activities as before
3 Indefinitely