News Release

ACVB Enlists Santa and His Elves to Bring Washington D.C., New York City and Chicago-based Groups to Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska – Dec. 3, 2008 – The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) has enlisted Santa himself to try to bring more conventions to Anchorage. This week, ACVB’s convention sales department is embarking on its annual Santa Blitz. Of course, the “real” Santa and elves are too busy this time of year, so ACVB’s vice president of Convention Sales, Jim Henderson, is filling in as jolly old St. Nick. Several of the Bureau’s sales managers will fill in as Santa’s elves.

At first blush, it seems like a lot of fun -- the team travels from office to office handing out Polaroid pictures and small Alaska gifts while wishing everyone happy holidays from Anchorage, Alaska. But the real mission is to bring real business to Alaska. Convention business is an important component to Alaska’s travel industry and offers a significant boost to the Anchorage economy. In 2007, meeting and conventions in Anchorage had an economic impact of more than $97 million. Competition is stiff in the conventions and meeting business, and reminding groups and meeting planners to consider Alaska for their next event is the ultimate goal.

ACVB’s team will be working just as, if not harder, than the real Santa. They’ll visit 43 clients in Washington, D.C., this week then head to New York City for a 300-guest party attended by an elite group of meeting decision-makers including the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, International Special Events Society, Meeting Professionals International of Greater New York, New York Society of Association of Executives and The Professional Convention Management Association.

“This is a huge opportunity to get face-to-face with decision-makers from many different organizations” said Elf Helen Buxton, whose real job is as Convention Sales Manager for ACVB. “New York is an expanding market for us, and one that we are really focusing on this year.”

The Santa Blitz wraps up in Chicago, Dec. 15 – 17, 2008, with more Santa visits and a sleigh stop at the Meeting Planners International Christmas Party, then a visit to the Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase, a trade show attended by more than 3,000 meeting planners and association executives.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third goes to the construction and annual maintenance costs of the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center and the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.

Media Contacts:

Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net

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