November 18, 2019
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Canada East Chapter has selected Saint John for their 2022 PCMA Canadian Innovation Conference. Over 350 meeting planners will be visiting the city from November 19-22, 2022 bringing $355K in economic impact.
The Canadian Innovation Conference is designed to meet the needs of meeting and event professionals and suppliers whose organizations are engaged in providing services related to the conduct and operation of meetings, conventions, seminars, exhibits and trade shows.
The 2022 PCMA Canadian Innovation Conference will be the equivalent of hosting 12 years of familiarization tours (FAMs) in four days, according to Victoria Clarke, Executive Director of Discover Saint John.
Hosting a FAM is the most effective way to close a sale, says Clarke. “We are competing against larger cities like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, along with the rest of the Atlantic provinces, but also against our neighbors within the province. Once we get them to Saint John though, we have them.”
“We’re a fantastic place. The only city on the Bay of Fundy, many interconnected spaces like the pedway, great transportation and infrastructure but our game-changer is our collaborative approach to selling the city. We bring business owners, hotel reps and tourism operators from across the city together under one brand to show meeting planners that this bustling little city on the Bay of Fundy is the perfect place for their event to drop anchor.”
In addition to the economic impact from the 2022 conference, Clarke reinforces the potential for future business. “We are essentially moving these delegates farther down the path to purchase towards choosing Saint John. It’s priming our sales funnel.”
Media contact:
Jillian MacKinnon
Director of Marketing & Communications, Discover Saint John
jillian@discoversaintjohn.com
506-635-3471