Meeting Planners | Smaller proving to be better in tourism | savannahnow.com
In many instances, smaller isn't usually better. In the tourism industry, however, it's becoming more appealing. During the past decade, meeting planners have been taking a closer look at so-called second- and third-tier convention destinations, and Savannah is near the head of the pack. An article this past week from the Professional Convention Management Association included an analysis of meeting sites by StarCite, a company that helps organizations to plan, budget, buy, attend and measure the results of meetings and events. The data showed that smaller cities such as Savannah, Chattanooga, Tenn., Allentown, Pa., Tulsa, Okla., and Sacramento, Calif., dominate the list of places with the fastest growth in inquiries. New and expanded facilities, combined with an economy teetering on the edge of a recession, have created a buyer's market in many of these cities.
