NYC
Patience and leveraging relationships key to making the budget stretch in NYC
A NEW BRAND AT THE BUREAU , AND SITE ’ S DIRECTOR OF EVENTS SHARES SOME INSIGHTS OF THE NYC EVENT EXPERIENCE
T he new name and brand identity , New York City Tourism + Conventions , was introduced at the organisation ’ s Annual Meeting on 28 March , with the idea of better clarifying to the world , the work that is done – and why tourism is so important to the city ’ s CVB .
The new strategy builds upon the work already done – showcasing authentic , aspirational , five-borough stories , and welcoming business travellers from around the world .
New York City has a $ 65bn tourism and hospitality industry and bringing more meetings , conventions and big events to NYC remains a core component of the recovery strategy . A busy conventions and events calendar is reported ahead and solid hotel performance including a continued uptick in mid-week stays .
Recently introduced is The NYC Meetings Fund , designed to help offset a small portion of costs for events hosted within the five boroughs and held by 31 August , 2024 . To qualify , the event must generate at least 50 room nights and have total eligible hard costs of at least $ 25,000 . The fund can be used for food and beverage , as well as audiovisual support , at a new event or one that has not taken place in NYC since 1 March , 2020 .
The New York City Tourism + Conventions bureau recently expanded its work in Latin America , focusing on sales and education . This effort will be led by São Paulo – based InterAmerican
Statue of Liberty , photo courtesy of NYC & Company
Network , which currently represents NYC ’ s travel trade development and communications efforts in Brazil , Argentina , Colombia , Chile , Peru and Uruguay .
Meeting planning resources are also being updated , with recent additions including Sustainable Meetings and Tourism in NYC ; High-Impact DEI Meetings in NYC ; NYC Urban Renewal ; an NYC Infrastructure Update ; and Meeting and Convention Booking Trends .
Major infrastructure work in NYC includes an $ 8bn transformation at LaGuardia Airport , including a new terminal . JFK has its $ 9.5bn Terminal 1 project due to open in 2026 and Newark has also had a $ 2.7bn Terminal A update . More details on new venues and hotels can be seen on the www . business . nyctourism . com website .
The bureau highlights the growth of international brands outside Manhattan , like the Westin Staten Island and the Moxy Williamsburg and The Tillary in Brooklyn , all with meeting rooms .
Whatever nickname you want to assign it : ‘ The city that never sleeps ’, ‘ The centre of the world ’, ‘ The Big Apple ’, New York City certainly delivers an abundance of options for meeting planners .
Jacqueline Acomb is Society for Incentive Travel Excellence ( SITE )’ s director of events , and was responsible for organising the association ’ s Global Conference in NYC in February . She describes NYC as “ a lively and ever-evolving destination that can be especially appealing to international delegates who likely know the city from its outsized place in pop culture . The same landmarks that have cemented it in the hearts and minds of so many : Central Park , the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty – can double as unique venues that your group wouldn ’ t be able to experience anywhere else .” SITE hosted a chapter leader meetings during the association ’ s 2023 annual Global Conference at the UN ’ s
26 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 126