The US public’s disdain of lavish corporate meetings and conventions is shifting the focus to second-tier cities such as Denver and Detroit.
"Golf outings and big lavish parties are gone," Carla Conner-Penzabene, director of sales for the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, told USAToday. "We’re always bidding on all the business we can, but now, we’re getting our calls returned."
The AIG effect is a reference to a lavish meeting held just after the government agreed to an $85 billion bailout for that company.
In January and February, nearly $2USD billion in convention business was canceled, according to the US Travel Association.
"There’s definitely a desire to avoid the negative perceptions with certain types of destinations that are seen as fun," said Caleb Tiller, spokesman for the National Business Travel Association.
For years, Denver has marketed itself as a sexy, cosmopolitan city, but now, it’s happy to be viewed as a "safe city" that won’t cause a backlash for businesses and organizations that hold their meetings there, says Rachel Benedick, vice president of sales for Visit Denver, the Visitors and Convention Bureau.
By David Wilkening
