Getting Vegas visitors back

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority implemented several strategies to boost tourism during the Great Recession. Among them:

In 2008, the LVCVA sales team resolved to make 1,000 sales calls in 100 days. During that drive, the team found “pockets of prosperity” in cities like Dallas and Washington that weren’t affected as greatly by the recession and had people who could afford a vacation.

In April 2009, working with resort partners and local chambers of commerce, the LVCVA coordinated a “stay-and-play” campaign. It encouraged locals to take “staycations” with discounted attractions and hotel stays.

In a collaboration with Mccarran International Airport, the LVCVA lobbied domestic and international airlines for more direct flights to Las Vegas.

The LVCVA implemented the Vegas Right

Now campaign, encouraging customers mostly in the city’s drive markets for a spur-of-the-moment getaway.

The “Vegas Means Business” campaign used testimonials from businesspeople who conducted corporate meetings, conventions and trade shows in Las Vegas. The Meetings Mean Business Coalition was formed and continues to operate today.

Another business initiative to make 4,000 faceto-face business calls in 350 cities resulted in the destination getting meetings business from industries that had either left Las Vegas or never tried it.