Toronto ranks high for meetings
Toronto emerged as No. 1 among 46 North American cities for “Superior Convention and Visitors Bureau/Destination Marketing Organizations,” in a study by 600 meeting planners, announced Tourism Toronto.
”The rankings, courtesy of Watkins Research Group, will help Toronto attract even more meetings and conventions,” according to Tourism Toronto President and CEO David Whitaker.
"We love it when our customers speak," he said in a statement. "Attaining the No. 1 ranking is not only a great source of pride but also a tool we’ll use to aggressively invite others to see the benefits of a successful meeting in Toronto."
Toronto’s No. 1 rankings represent huge progress for the destination, which in 2008 ranked No. 8 among CVBs and No. 16 among convention centers.
"Toronto’s steady, positive progress to its now highly respected position indicates that its whole convention community listens to what meeting planners want and responds cohesively," said Watkins Research Group Principal Curt Watkins. He added:
"Research attunes destination to changing needs. When the entire convention community in a city pays attention to where research points, the city inevitably is perceived as a highly desirable destination."
Toronto also ranked well among planners for its supply of large meetings hotels, ranking No. 4 this year, up from No. 12 in 2008; for its overall appeal, ranking No. 4 this year, up from No. 5 in 2008; for its overall convention facilities, ranking No. 5 this year, up from No. 21 in 2008; and for its safety, ranking No. 5 this year, up from No. 10 in 2008.
By David Wilkening
David
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