Destination Sales

Citywide Cancellations/Postponements:

  • Citywide Postponements:
    • National Society of Black Engineers, moved to Aug. 17-23, 2020
    • Informa Business Media, moved to Aug. 22-27, 2020
    • Hospitality Financial Technology Professionals, moved to Oct. 26 – 29, 2020
    • WorkHuman, moved to May 20-28, 2021
    • Avon moved to July 2021
  • Citywide Cancellations:
  • 26 groups, representing more than 150,000 total room nights and 140,000 attendees. Economic impact of just under $92 million.
  • Citywide Groups Still Investigating:
    • Five groups

Customer Engagement

This past month, we began our virtual client engagement efforts. In partnership with the RK Group, we hosted 65 meeting planners to a michelada and guacamole presentation. There, Chef Thomas and Brenda Teichroeb from the RK group demonstrated how to make these San Antonian staples just in time for Cinco de Mayo. We also hosted a cookie-decorating demonstration virtually with our Washington, D.C.-area customers and their families. Finally, we hosted the Association of Corporate Councils in a virtual site visit of the convention center as it is strongly considering San Antonio for its 2023 annual meeting.

Rebooking Experience:

We have received positive feedback from our clients on the San Antonio hospitality community. They are very appreciative of everyone’s willingness to work with them and the partnership. The latest cancellation we have experienced is August; however, as of now the majority of our citywide groups are still moving forward with their convention plans. Thank you!

Cost Savings Initiatives:

Travel and client engagement opportunities have been reduced, including Chicago and Washington, D.C., Sales Missions, sales calls to all markets, FAM’s and multiple industry conventions and tradeshows.

The Sales Team has seen the following Lead volume​:

  • 88 leads sourced in April, representing 212,869 total room nights​
  • Represents a lead volume drop of 38% compared to April last year

Destination Experience

Much like the industry, our Destination Experience team has learned to pivot during these uncertain times to find new avenues to best support our clients. Our meeting planner e-toolbox has been refreshed and several new assets have been added to help meeting planners infuse the San Antonio brand into their meeting in our destination. New digital assets have been built with the capability for clients to customize them with their own meeting logo as well as the development of a new San Antonio Inspiration Board on Pinterest.

A virtual site visit was held earlier this month with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to tour the newly renovated Marriott Rivercenter meeting space and sleeping rooms for its spring 2021 meeting. The Marriott team provided an incredible multi-floor tour providing great detail in regards to changes and upgrades to the sleeping rooms and conference rooms. The tour was well-executed and WBCA stayed very engaged, asking questions and offering positive comments.

We also participated in our first virtual prior year promotion for the Texas Association of Museums (TAM) during its TAM 2020 Virtual meeting. Efforts included partnering with the local host committee, chaired by Marise McDermott, President & CEO of the Witte Museum. The announcement for San Antonio for 2021 was made with the introduction of a new “countdown” style video with opening invitational remarks from McDermott. TAM participants are looking forward to returning to the Alamo City next year. They last convened here in 2012. We continue to develop and offer additional virtual opportunities for client engagement, planning and promotion for our city.