May 21, 2013
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Hartford, CT
Governor Dannel P. Malloy To Kick-Off 2013 Connecticut Conference on Tourism
Statewide industry forum to feature
educational workshops, seminars,
and an update on Connecticut’s tourism
marketing efforts
The 2013 Connecticut Conference on Tourism (CCOT) has announced that Governor Dannel P. Malloy is expected to open the day’s festivities during the special breakfast reception at 9:00 a.m. Accompanying the Governor will be State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith, DECD Deputy Commissioner Christopher “Kip” Bergstrom and State Tourism Director Randy Fiveash.
CCOT is an all day tourism industry forum held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. The event features a series of educational workshops, seminars and panels including the hottest trends in travel & leisure, power of mobile marketing, and strategies for a positive online reputation. The keynote luncheon address will be “Revolutionary Thinking for Revolutionary Times” by marketing guru and award-winning author Rick Segel. Special remarks will be presented during the luncheon by Connecticut’s Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey.
CCOT also includes a special presentation by the state’s marketing team showcasing the impact of Connecticut’s “Still Revolutionary” campaign. The state will also reveal the winner of the state’s online Fan Favorite Town promotion. Other items on the day’s agenda will be the Connecticut Pineapple Awards honoring excellence in tourism in the state.
Attendance at CCOT offers guests the opportunity to learn best industry practices and successful strategies to improve business productivity and performance. Practical takeaways and new insights will be shared on current travel trends and emerging markets. Attendees may purchase tickets by visiting CelebrateTourism.com/tickets or calling 860.444.0448.
Registration for the CCOT starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by a breakfast reception at 9:00 a.m. featuring Governor Malloy. The seminars and workshops will take place in the morning and afternoon, followed by a late afternoon networking reception at 3:00 p.m. These educational seminars and informational workshops will offer participants tactics, techniques, creative ideas and innovative solutions on how best to navigate the ever-changing business climate. Nationally known experts and industry leaders will share news, strategies, and insights on the following topics of interest:
• TripAdvisor: Strategies for maintaining a positive online reputation
• U.S. Travel Association: Hottest trends in travel & leisure
• Regan Communications: Maximizing your public relations outreach
• Boston Web Marketing: What you need to know about Search Engine Optimization
• CT Convention & Sports Bureau: Accelerating CT’s meeting & sports group business
• Digital Marketing Experts: The power of mobile marketing
• Experienced Collaborators: How to build powerful partnerships
• State Office of Tourism: How to leverage Connecticut’s marketing brand
CCOT concludes with a presentation of Pineapple Awards to honor volunteers and companies that have demonstrated excellence for tourism in Connecticut. AAA will also acknowledge its distinguished four and five Diamond Award winners for lodging and dining in Connecticut.
Produced by Quinn & Hary Marketing, CCOT will be held in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, State Office of Tourism, Connecticut Metro Chambers of Commerce and the state’s many tourism partners. The Conference allows travel and leisure businesses from throughout Connecticut to meet one-on-one with high profile tourism experts and leaders.
Major sponsors for the Connecticut Conference on Tourism include Mystic Aquarium, Mohegan Sun, CT1 Media, Waterford Hotel Group, Foxwoods Resort Casino, AAA, Madden Media, and Connecticut Convention Center.
ABOUT CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE ON TOURISM
The Connecticut Conference on Tourism is an annual event providing educational and networking opportunities to tourism operators, travel and leisure organizations, industry partners and businesses throughout the state of Connecticut. Offering substantive seminars and featuring renowned guest speakers addressing topics of relevance to the industry, the Conference celebrates tourism in Connecticut. The Connecticut Conference on Tourism is a production of Quinn and Hary Marketing, a Regan Communications Group company. For more information please visit CelebrateTourism.com, or call 860.444.0448 or email TourismConference@quinnandhary.com.
Conference Background
• The Connecticut Office of Tourism presented an annual conference prior to 2007.
• In 2009, the private sector reconvened an industry Conference at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.
• The tourism industry held its 2010 Conference to rally support for State funding of tourism promotion.
• The 2011 Tourism Conference was postponed while the Governor solicited legislative support to significantly fund economic development and tourism marketing.
• The Connecticut Conference on Tourism has been successfully managed by Quinn & Hary Marketing for the past four years.
History of State Tourism Funding
• Connecticut's tourism marketing budget was only $1.00 as of 2010.
• At last year's Conference, Keynote Speaker Bill Sigel cited research on the decline of Colorado tourism when its state did not fund the promotion of tourism.
• Candidate Malloy participates in the gubenatorial debate at the 2010 Tourism Conference and first advocates for a multi million dollar tourism marketing budget for Connecticut.
• Governor Malloy delivers on his campaign pledge to revitalize Connecticut tourism and wins legislative approval for a 2012 budget of $15 million!
