<h2>Asking Strategic Questions</h2>
<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>
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<p class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap">• 25 strategic questions to ask CVBs
• Gaining knowledge to accurately choose a destination for your meeting or event</p>
<a href="https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/question-mark-cool.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright wp-image-3813" title="Strategic questions event planners frequently ask" src="https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/question-mark-cool-300x169.jpg" alt="Strategic questions event planners frequently ask" width="315" height="178" /></a>No one can think of everything, but with this handy list, you’re well on your way to a productive conversation with a CVB. Remember, the goal of the CVB is to share area expertise and to earn your business, so make sure you utilize their wealth of knowledge to the fullest.
<h3>Strategic Questions</h3>
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<p class="paragraph"><strong>1.</strong> Are there any incentives being offered by the City to bring an event? If so, what are the parameters?
<strong>2.</strong> Do you have a site visit program?
<strong>3.</strong> If my group/event is large enough, would you consider hosting the client’s airfare to do a site visit?
<strong>4.</strong> Are there any city-wide events going on the week of, the week prior to, or the week after my proposed dates?
<strong>5.</strong> Are you aware of any new hotels coming online that are not yet open but will be when we are hosting our event?
<strong>6.</strong> Are any of the current hotels planning renovations?
<strong>7.</strong> What is the largest event the City hosts? How many people attend?
<strong>8. </strong>Are there any local events taking place over my dates that I could consider for my group?
<strong>9.</strong> What is your City best known for? What food is your city famous for?
<strong>10.</strong> Do you offer maps or collateral we can hand out at our registration desk?
<strong>11.</strong> What apps/links can you provide to help us promote the City?
<strong>12.</strong> Do you offer a custom landing page we can use?
<strong>13.</strong> Why is your City the best place to take our event?
<strong>14.</strong> What corporations consistently host events here? May I have a contact name?
<strong>15.</strong> Is there any major construction or repair work scheduled for your airports, mass transit, roadways, bridges, and tunnels of which you are aware?
<strong>16.</strong> Is there a city-wide labor union contract that is due to expire/be negotiated between now and my event?
<strong>17.</strong> What taxes and fees are imposed by the City on meeting rooms, sleeping rooms, etc.? Is there a motion to have these fees increased between now and our event? If so, by how much?
<strong>18.</strong> Are our event dates during your high or low season?
<strong>19.</strong> Is there a weather pattern that falls over the timeframe we intend to come of which I should be aware?
<strong>20.</strong> What DMC consistently gets the best feedback from clients?
<strong>21.</strong> Is Uber allowed at the airports?
<strong>22.</strong> What is the airport proximity to your desired location? Is public transportation available? What is the approximate drive time during rush hours?
<strong>23.</strong> Do you have a list of direct flights per day for your local airport that you can share?
<strong>24.</strong> What independent (non-chain) hotels are available?
<strong>25.</strong> What locations within your destination can accommodate my group and its needs?
<strong>26.</strong> <u>Bonus question</u>: What did I forget to ask that I should know or that you want to tell me?</p>
<p class="paragraph"><em>Tags: Asking Strategic Questions, Strategic Questions, CVB, CVBs, City, Corporate Meetings, Corporate Events, Midwest Meetings</em></p>
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