Local hotel convention bookings up 36% from 2005

Many converging factors have led to area hotel bookings for hotels to rise 36% since 2005.

Excerpt:

Although DMCVB still has some negative perceptions about Detroit to combat while attracting groups, Baum says, “Downtown’s improvements are easier to sell. Our biggest challenge is to get someone to come here for the first time. Once we get them to come, they say, ‘Whoa, Detroit is much nicer than I thought!'” He said the bureau has a very high success rate in booking meetings and conventions from planners who take a “familiarization trip” to the city.

Baum says that DMCVB’s new “D” identity brand, which focuses on five of Detroit’s strengths—cars, culture, gaming, music and sports—helps make his job easier. “These are the things that make us a good place to hold a meeting. These are things that people can relate to, and these are five things that we deliver very successfully here in the metro area.”

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