Not every group is good for every city no matter how popular a destination may be, so that’s why it’s important to pre-qualify cities to see if your group would be a good match. For instance, does the destination have the right physical space to meet your needs, such as a convention center with sufficient square footage and enough hotel rooms? Would your group prefer to be the focus of attention in a smaller city or would being a small fish in a larger destination not be an issue?
“Ask yourself, do you want to own the town or are you okay with being one of many?” asks Leonard Hoops, president & CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. “Some groups want to be the big fish in a smaller destination while some don’t care, they just want to be in a first-tier city and the destination appeal makes it worth it.”