South Beach: Look Sharp, Pow Wow Travel Convention Is Coming

The Greater Miami Conventions and Visitors Bureau estimates that over 12 million people visit Miami annually.

It’s no secret, the City’s economy relies heavily on tourism. And no offense to Miami-Dade County, but when most people visit our great city, they come to South Beach, which means, the cities reputation, as well as thousands of jobs, rely on us. Us being the tour operators, hotels, restaurants and the hard working people who take care of the guests.

Well, if there was ever a time for South Beach to look sharp and be on our best behavior, it’s this May - the International Pow Wow travel convention is coming to the Miami Beach Convention Center May 16 to 20, 2009. If you’ve never heard of Pow Wow before, it’s the worlds biggest travel convention:

International Pow Wow is the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and is the largest generator of Visit USA travel. In just three days of intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, more than 1,000 U. S. travel organizations from every region of the USA, and representing all industry category components, and close to 1,500 International and Domestic Buyers from more than 70 countries, conduct business negotiations that result in the generation of over $3.5 billion in future USA travel.

Everybody will be there: Expedia, Priceline, Viator, plus thousands of independent travel agents.

At the Convention, travel buyers and sellers from around the world are able to do business that would otherwise be made only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips.

Having Pow Wow in our own backyard is an incredible opportunity for us. Let’s not waste it. The time to shine is now because it might not be here forever.

Hey, South Beach, Coconut Grove Wants To Steal Your Customers!

Have you forgotten, South Beach wasn’t always the main tourist destination it is today. Not long ago, Coconut Grove was the place to be, and they’re trying to make a comeback. Some wise ass blogger from Coconut Grove is asking the city to offer free bus trips to the Grove from the Beach. Not only that, he’s trying to convince local businesses to stay open late and be extra friendly, during the Convention:

Thousands of tour operators and travel agents are coming to Miami for their annual “Pow Wow” event next month. On Monday night, May 18, from 6 to 10 pm, they will be visiting Coconut Grove.

Now is the time to sell the Grove to them. They are the ones who send their clients to various travel destinations. They can easily send them to the Grove on their next trips, as side trips when their clients visit Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

Literally open your doors, like you see in Key West. Have the doors open all night so people feel free to enter. Have greeters at your doors. Put some plants next to the doors. Let them all know they are welcome.

Who does this blogger think he is?

Those tourists belong to us. We can’t afford to lose them.

The best way to defend ourselves is by providing exemplary customer service. But we can’t let up after the convention. We must offer great service, year round.

What do you say? Are you with us?

Related Links: • Pow Wow at Miami Beach Convention Center Related Categories: Conventions Miami: Travel News, Gus Moore heads up Miami Beach 411 as site administrator. You can reach him at 1-305-754-2206. See more articles by Gus. See more articles by Gus Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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