Washington Suppliers Say Meetings Outlook Is Bright

<H1> Washington Suppliers Say Meetings Outlook Is Bright</H1>By Barbara Cook

<B>I</B>n the wake of a severe winter coupled with repeated government shutdowns, Washington hotels and other meetings industry suppliers are eagerly greeting spring and the promise of improved business.

"Things are picking up," said Marie Tibor, vice president of communications and tourism for the Washington Convention and Visitors Association (WCVA). "This is expected to be a good year, with a lot of strong conventions booked. Hopefully, the worst is over."

The WCVA is mobilizing an aggressive marketing campaign to draw more meetings and convention business. The promotion effort includes a print ad featuring a photo of the Jefferson Memorial at dusk. The ad copy reads: "Plenty of spaces for meetings...and plenty of places to be alone." The ad is designed to offer a stress-free, romantic image of Washington while at the same time show that it offers all the resources a meeting planner needs, explained vice president of sales Frank Rudman.

Valerie Sumner, marketing director for the newly renamed TCI Companies, a destination management firm based here, said that this year will be lucrative. "From talking to hoteliers and from what's on our books, corporate meetings look strong," she said.

Sumner noted that the mega meetings, which once filled the convention center, left when they outgrew those facilities. Until the new center opens its doors three years from now (See Page 19), suppliers are continuing to boost bookings for small meetings, which can be contained in one or a few hotels.

Sumner said the small meetings business will benefit from the presidential and congressional elections in November. Traditionally, following an election, special interest groups meet in Washington to analyze the election results and to hear from newly elected officials. And that boomlet will spill over into early 1997 after the inauguration takes place.