| P.E.I.
Canada � October 2001 � Recently compiled statistics indicate that Prince
Edward Island is enjoying a brisk convention business in 2001, according
to Meetings Prince Edward Island.
The survey includes confirmed
business reported to Meetings Prince Edward Island by member tourism operators
from January-September. Already, 206 meetings bringing 26,000 delegates
have taken or will take place on the Island this year.
According to the International
Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (IACVB) Foundation, each
convention delegate spends an average of $814 per event and the average
event lasts 3.1 days.
This translates into an
economic impact of $21.5 million to the Island and does not include delegates
who choose to extend their trip into a vacation.
Considered by many in
the industry to be a banner year, 1999 saw 279 meetings take place on the
Island, with delegate numbers reaching almost 27,000. Meetings Prince Edward
Island is working to increase that volume and early estimates indicate
that 2001 could be a new banner year.
Many meeting planners
recognize Prince Edward Island as a unique meeting destination. Delegates
feel safe and welcome in PEI, and, according to many professional meeting
planners, attendance typically rises by 20 per cent when the Island hosts.
The role of Meetings Prince
Edward Island is to promote and confirm PEI as the location for meetings,
conventions, and special events. The organization also provides complimentary
services to meeting planners to help make their jobs easier.
Meetings Prince Edward
Island adopted a unique marketing strategy in 2000, which promotes three
product groups to meeting planners for their events. These are Canada�s
Birthplace, Executive Retreats, and Country Casual. This creates an opportunity
to tailor each meeting, convention, or special event to the needs of each
group.
�This new marketing strategy
is well received by meeting planners and has generated substantial business,
as shown in our statistics," said Dave MacGrath, chairman of Meeting Prince
Edward Island.
Contact:
Keefe Kelley kelley@meetingspei.com
Meetings Prince Edward Island
129 Queen Street, Charlottetown
Prince Edward Island, Canada
C1A 4B3
Toll Free: 1 � 877 � MEETPEI| |