Q&A talks about the state of Connecticut’s meetings and conventions industry with H. Scott Phelps, president of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB).
Get Instant Access to This Article
Subscribe to Hartford Business Journal and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Hartford and Connecticut business news updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Bi-weekly print or digital editions of our award-winning publication.
- Special bonus issues like the Hartford Book of Lists.
- Exclusive ticket prize draws for our in-person events.
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
Q&A talks about the state of Connecticut's meetings and conventions industry with H. Scott Phelps, president of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB).
Q: What is the state of the convention business in Connecticut? How has the Front Street Entertainment District helped in attracting conventions to Hartford? Do the Dunkin' Donuts Park problems have any impact?
A: The state's convention, conference, meeting and sports event scene remains steady based upon the business the CTCSB has been involved with.
In the last fiscal year alone, more than $61.6 million was spent by attendees during their visits to our state, generating over $4.7 million in Connecticut taxes. In addition, 22,662 Connecticut jobs in the hospitality industry were supported by these events as a result of these bookings, according to the Destination Marketing Association International [DMAI] economic calculator FY 2015-2016.
Front Street is a great asset to our sales efforts. A meeting planner can see the connectivity between the Connecticut Convention Center, the Marriott, the Connecticut Science Center and Front Street's restaurants and entertainment venues. There's a lot for attendees to do within blocks of each other — a package that's a terrific selling point to any potential convention planner.
The delayed opening of Dunkin' Donuts Park obviously has been a disappointment as a number of people had planned special events there that couldn't take place. More than just a sports stadium, the Park eventually will be a great venue for groups that hold Greater Hartford meetings and conventions. It is well-suited for unique parties, receptions and events of many types, and we hope that next spring it will become the dynamic facility we all have been excited about.
Q: When it comes to planning conventions, do groups take into consideration problems a city like Hartford may be having financially? Does that make them hesitant to book events two or more years out?
A: Hartford's financial problems will affect a group's business concerns if the city can no longer discount security and other services that traditionally are reduced or waived to help attract convention and major sports event business. Many professional meeting planners do keen research on what's happening in prospective host cities, and choose the location that best meets their objectives and budget.
Q: The state recently cut funding for regional tourism offices. Does that hinder your efforts at all?
A: While we have worked closely with the regional tourism districts, they have a different role than our Bureau. They target potential leisure travelers planning vacations or day trips, while the CTCSB works to book conventions, conferences and sports events.
A part of our funding comes through the State Office of Tourism, enabling us to leverage partnerships with our private-sector members. We utilize the state's vacation guide, its CTVisit.com, and other resources when selling. In addition, the CTCSB now primarily uses electronic sales collateral — cost-effective, easily customizable materials that can be quickly sent and reviewed by prospective clients.
Q: What makes bringing conventions to Hartford easy? What makes it hard?
A: Hartford has great appeal to planners, located between New York City and Boston with convenient access from car, bus, train or plane. Over 23.5 million people live within a two-hour drive — a major selling point for conventions, trade shows and sporting events.
The region is known for its richness of historical and cultural arts attractions, most of which can be used as unique off-site social venues. And, groups that meet in Hartford can daytrip to numerous off-site attractions all over the state.
It's interesting that many Greater Hartford residents love to live here, but don't necessarily think it's a great place to visit. Some suburbanites haven't come downtown for dinner or entertainment in years. But we see lots of activity in Hartford that is changing this kind of negative attitude. The expansion of Front Street, new or renovated hotels and restaurants, and iQuilt's plan for more walkable areas, are all making the city more exciting. This growth helps greatly as we sell to meeting planners in Washington, D.C., New York City, throughout New England, and across the country.
Q: The Connecticut Convention and Sports Bureau recently sponsored Connect New England. What was the event and why did the Bureau sponsor it?
A: Connecticut's convention and hospitality leaders were thrilled when Connect, a national leader in meetings, travel and tourism, chose Hartford for its first-ever “Connect New England” appointment-only trade show. Thisevent brought together the most active planners, suppliers and experts in association, sports and specialty meetings who focus on New England destinations for meetings and events.
The June event was hosted in partnership with the Connecticut Convention Center, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau, and Hartford Marriott Downtown/Waterford Hotel Group, with Mayor Bronin welcoming attendees. We helped many influential professional meeting planners from across New England discover what makes Connecticut an attractive choice for their groups. They visited Hartford as their meeting attendees would, meeting at the Connecticut Convention Center, staying at the Marriott, enjoying a New England seafood dinner, and walking downtown.
Q: What were some of the major takeaways from Connect New England?
A: Attendees told us what we often hear when other professional meeting planners visit, that Hartford is a clean, walkable and friendly city with impressive meeting venues and attractions — for many, it was their first visit. Our experience has long been that if we can get planners to come see Hartford, and most everywhere else in Connecticut, they find it's what they are looking for, and we tend to get their business.
In fact, there was immediate interest from several planners who wanted to learn more about booking area meeting and hotel rooms for future conventions — one a major citywide event. That's exactly what we were hoping for.
