<B> Meetings Beat</B>
By Lauren Bielski
<B>NYC's Reiter Starts New Campaign</B>
Replacing Steve Morello as CEO and president of the New York City Convention and Visitor's Bureau with Fran Reiter, the former deputy mayor for Planning and Community Relations and campaign manager for Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's second successful campaign, was more than mere political largess. Reiter is a powerhouse with big plans. She not only has designs on expanding the Javits Center (see story on page 34), but also on wielding industry partnerships to enhance the city's attractiveness.
"We have an embarrassment of riches in this city, but it can be an intimidating place to an outsider. It will be our job to make New York City accessible and sought after internationally by having the bureau partner more with local industry--perhaps attracting more sponsorships for specific initiatives--to gain resources to market the destination better abroad," Reiter said. Small corporate meetings will be an important part of the new CEO's marketing agenda, although specific strategies still in formulation won't be announced until after the bureau's board meets this week.
<a name="art2"><b>IACVB Readies Marketing Resources</b>
The International Association of Convention and Visitor's Bureaus is developing a turnkey program in 1998 that members will be able to take to national, regional and local markets to educate industry movers and shakers about the value of CVB work and tourism.