FM Oct 04 PDF - Orlando Chamber of Commerce

CVB & Members Play Vital Role During Crisis
As a community partner, during
times of crisis, such as a hurricane, the
CVB’s role extends beyond its primary
role of marketing Central Florida to
potential visitors. Following are some
of the actions the organization takes
both before and after a hurricane.
Helping the Community
The CVB, prior to and after a hurricane
threatening the state, serves as the
central gathering point for information
on hotel availability and taking phone
calls on the Hurricane Evacuee Hotline
to place evacuees and local residents
in need of shelter. During Hurricane
Charley, the CVB Call Center staff, along
with other CVB staff who volunteered
to take calls during times of heavy call-in
volume, received 3,000 phone calls from
residents and visitors in search of a place
to stay on the hotline during Hurricane
Charley, alone.
“By gathering up-to-date information
from our accommodations members,
we can provide close to real time information
to callers on room availability as
well as give them phone numbers of
accommodations to call,” says Misty
Johantgen, vice president of CVB
Member Services. “In times of crisis, it
helps to be able to go to one source for
information as vital as locating a place to
stay if your home has been damaged or
is unsafe, or if you are visiting the area
and have to wait out the storm.”
Not to mention it helps the local
governments in keeping people off the
roads and out of harms way.
In addition, the CVB called all
1,300 Central Florida members to
touch base and determine status; served
as the industry contact for Orange and
Osceola Counties; rallied industry to
provide more than 3,000 meals for
evacuees and volunteers; secured much
needed ice, generators and volunteers;
and found housing for relief workers.
Helping the Industry
Below are examples of the vital
industry role the CVB takes on during a
crisis, such as a hurricane, to let others
know it is open for business.
CVB accommodations members provide
up-to-date hotel room availability to the
CVB’s Call Center during a crisis that involves
evacuees seeking shelter in Central Florida.
During Charley, the Call Center assisted
3,000+ callers.
Media
The CVB’s Public Relations
Department sends hourly media alerts
to the local and Florida media advising
of Metro Orlando hotel availability
numbers, status of attraction openings
and closings, and contact information
for other areas that could accommodate
hurricane evacuees.
In addition, the Public Relations
Department continuously updates its
international offices in order to inform
overseas visitors that Orlando is open
for business.
Public Relations also communicates
with local and national media after the
hurricane with information about hotel
room availability for local residents
seeking shelter due to loss of power and
a status update about Metro Orlando
visitor offerings.
Travel Industry
The CVB’s Travel Industry
Marketing Department send updates to
its U.S.-based receptive tour operators
regarding the status of accommodations,
attractions and other visitor
services in the Metro Orlando area. The
update is also distributed to the CVB’s
international representatives who have,
in turn, distributed the update to travel
agents, tour operators and other travel
industry representatives as appropriate.
Meetings Industry
The Orlando CVB’s Convention Sales
Department monitors the situation,
keeping in direct touch with meeting
planners on upcoming meetings or
conventions in the Orlando Market.
Orlando/Orange County CVB, Inc. Corporate Partners
Member Services
In addition to contacting
accommodation members for room
availability during the crisis, the
Orlando CVB also contacts its members
in the Central Florida area to check on
current status, learn about any damages
sustained due to the crisis and offer
assistance as needed.
Web Site
The CVB posts Hurricane Update
information on its consumer Web site,
orlandoinfo.com, as needed.
CVB Members Lend
a Helping Hand
The Orlando CVB would like to extend a
heartfelt thanks to all the CVB members
who rose to the occasion to help our
visitors and residents, as well as their
own employees who suffered hardships
as a result of Hurricane Charley. Below
are just some of the organizations that
helped out with everything from food,
ice and water to volunteers, accommodations
(for evacuees and emergency
and recovery crews), transportation, day
camps and monetary donations to date.
Thank You!
Air Boat Rides “Old-Fashion”
Anheuser-Busch Foundation
Arabian Nights
Bass Pro Shops
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Assoc.
The Doubletree Club Hotel/LBV
Festival Bay at I-Drive
Grande Lakes Orlando
House of Blues
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
LYNX
The Mall at Millenia.
Orlando Magic Basketball
Orlando Marriott Downtown
Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando Science Center
Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
Quality Suites Maingate East
Sam Snead’s Tavern, Metro West
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows
Staybridge Suites Orlando
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
WordSpring Discovery Center
National
Travel Org
Nominates
Bill Peeper
to Board
The Travel Industry Association
of America (TIA) has nominated Bill
Peeper, President of the Orlando CVB, as
Treasurer of its 2005 Board of Directors.
TIA announced its nominated 2005 slate
of officers and members of the Board
of Directors Aug. 25 to the association’s
2,000 organization membership.
Formal approval is anticipated at the
association’s Annual Meeting during
the TIA Marketing Outlook Forum in
Phoenix/Scottsdale, Oct. 27–29.
“I am extremely pleased with the
distinguished individuals that have
agreed to help chart the direction
and guide the activities of TIA and
the industry,” says William S. Norman,
President and CEO of TIA.
“The designees possess the
experience, expertise and strong
leadership required to leverage new
opportunities that will benefit the
whole of the industry. We are
fortunate to have them.”
TIA is the national, non-profit
organization representing all
components of the $552 billion
travel industry. Its mission is to
represent the U.S. travel industry
to promote and facilitate increased
travel to and within the United States.
2005 Officers
National Chair
Barbara J. Richardson
Chief Marketing Officer, Amtrak
First Vice Chair
James A. “Jay” Rasulo
President, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Second Vice Chair
Dawn L. Drew
Vice President & Publisher,
National Geographic Traveler
Secretary
Graham W. Atkinson
Senior Vice President World Sales &
Alliances, United Airlines
Treasurer
Bill Peeper
President, Orlando CVB
FM OCTOBER 2004 33