RESEARCH

The Charleston area is capable of hosting a multitude of groups and organizations, and attracting these meetings requires skilled and extensive work, many times years in the making. It is our role to build relationships and provide information and connections necessary that result in an organization choosing the Charleston area as host for its event or meeting. Development continues through globally-connected HelmsBriscoe, who has an important role in attracting clients. And our presence in CONNECT and Northstar Meetings is essential. Bottom line: this is a relationship business, and people do business with people they know and trust. Consistent communication is the key to success in this endeavour as is professional and personal relationship with planners who can produce business that is right for the Charleston area.

Keeping our community top-of-mind with top travel advisors, who develop and sell travel itineraries for time-starved travelers is essential to our efforts in group sales, even though these relationships are more leisure in nature. We will continue pursuit of these opportunities through International Luxury Travel Market, Signature Travel, Virtuoso and the Travel & Leisure Advisory Board.

Initiative 2: Expand the economic reach of group bookings by connecting planners with local businesses who can service their needs.

Every group, once booked, needs to be serviced in some way. Whether it’s setting up tours for attendees, dine arounds, transportation, providing collateral, or arranging spousal outings, these needs present significant opportunity for businesses in the host destination. Our team’s goal is to expand the footprint of each piece of group business so that maximum ROI can be achieved.

Initiative 3: Actively seek opportunities to expand or deepen market segments, within the broader goals of Explore Charleston, with a specific eye towards growth in group sales business.

An example of expanded opportunities would be geographic, related to improved air service and significantly increased non-stop flights. In recent years, Explore Charleston worked with partners to aggressively seek new and expanded air service through Charleston International Airport. As a result, CHS is now able to offer competitive airfares and reduced travel time, factors that equate to a more enjoyable experience for visitors and business travelers alike. The presence of providers such as Southwest Airlines and jetBlue in the Charleston market continues to be a game changer for our industry. With over 60 non-stop flights through CHS, our geographic audience has evolved well beyond the drive market and opened so many doors of opportunity.

Initiative 4: Provide quality service and assistance to members of the local travel industry in seeking and facilitating group business.

Services offered by the Group Sales Department include:

• Convention Bids

• Cooperative Tradeshow Efforts

• Destination Planning Guide and Companion Site

• Familiarization Tours

• Housing Bureau

• Lead Generation

• Microsite

• Promotional Assistance for Groups

• Promotional Photography and Video

• Requests for Proposal

• Site Selection Assistance

• Site Visits

• Spouse Programs Registration and

• Off-Site Activities

• Tradeshows