How CVBs are Designing Virtual Experiences To Promote Their Destinations
April 9, 2020
While social distancing has taken hold throughout the world, many convention and visitors bureaus are innovating amongst the current crisis to continue to (tactfully) spread messages about their destinations. Across North America, CVBs and DMOs far and wide are shifting to digital to bring the best of their destinations to homebound audiences via virtual tours, live-streaming experiences, online classes and interactive content, as well as deliver encouraging messages of hope and reassurance. Check out some of the most creative offerings.
Meet AC
Having a strong digital presence is nothing new for Atlantic City’s CVB. Over the past several years, the CVB has been growing its portfolio of online assets and relevant content for those unable to visit the destination in person, including an Experience Atlantic City 360 virtual reality tour, a meeting planner guide, a convention services kit, a convention center event planning guide and a strong presence on social media. Its latest addition is #StrongerTogether in Atlantic City, a heartfelt video expressing solidarity and support for the event and travel industry during this challenging time.
Visit Orlando
For the couch-bound, Visit Orlando has created Orlando Virtual Tours, which feature more than 20 virtual family-friendly experiences. Offerings include theme park rides at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, animal interactions at SeaWorld Orlando and other local zoos, and arts and culture offerings, as well as Facebook Live broadcasts, live-streaming of popular films and YouTube videos.
Experience Scottsdale
Scottsdale’s CVB offers an entire webpage devoted to a library of immersive videos designed to give prospective visitors a hearty sampling of all that the Sonoran desert city has to offer. Check out Old Town Scottsdale, “tee up” at one of its top golf courses, mountain bike through the desert, discover the city’s vibrant culinary scene or stroll through the city’s oldest church.
Pure Michigan
To provide future travel inspiration post-pandemic, Pure Michigan unveiled its #VirtualPureMichigan campaign, which allows visitors to explore the state’s outdoor and cultural attractions from home. Highlights include live beach and nature cams, like a bird’s eye view of the Straits of Mackinac from atop the Mackinac Bridge, live-streaming of the recent Ann Arbor Film Festival, museum tours and sounds of Michigan State Parks as interpreted by Michigan artists with Pure Sounds of Michigan.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Music City’s CVB has released new virtual attractions and events including cooking classes from popular local chefs; tours of historical sites; art history courses through the Frist Art Museum, and live-streamed music concerts, including from The Grand Ole Opry. For families with young children, “Goodnight with Dolly” is a weekly YouTube bedtime story series featuring Dolly Parton reading aloud a children’s book from her Imagination Library project.
Explore Asheville
For restless, homebound souls, Explore Asheville has curated a range of virtual escapes from the current reality, including interactive virtual tours of more than 20 area hikes and destinations, a 360 virtual tour of George W. Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate and an interactive “Explorers of the Blue Ridge Parkway” guide. Try free yoga and meditation classes set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, take a wellness or an art gallery tour, or listen to an Asheville Symphony Sessions collaboration with local musicians and bands.
Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Vancouver unveiled #VirtuallyVancouver, an eclectic mix of the British Columbia city’s best travel-worthy experiences. Digital goodies include a 360-degree Vancouver Virtual Reality Tour, free fitness and Tai Chi classes, cooking and art tutorials, live penguin and otter webcams at the Vancouver Aquarium, a virtual cherry blossom tree walk, art gallery exhibitions and a free Cirque du Soleil performance.
Choose Chicago
Those sheltering-in-place can still connect with the Windy City through its vast library of virtual offerings. Roam the halls of many of Chicago’s myriad museums, take a video tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo or check out Shedd Aquarium’s Underwater Beauty live cam, enjoy free recipes from Chicago’s renowned chefs and take in a live-streamed theatrical production — to name just a few of the CVB’s extensive virtual offerings.
VISIT Milwaukee
In early April, VISIT Milwaukee launched a special video put together by staff to send a message of hope and solidarity to its clients, partners and community. This complements the CVB’s #GoodThingsBrewing in Milwaukee page, which features stories of Milwaukee residents coming together to support local businesses and each other during the pandemic.
Discover PHL
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched Philadelphia From Home, a webpage designed to introduce potential visitors to the city’s many arts and cultural attractions, restaurants and musical offerings. Check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection, get a 360-degree virtual tour of the Betsy Ross House, explore the Eastern State Penitentiary, take in a concert by The Philadelphia Orchestra, listen to the CVB’s custom Spotify playlist or try recreating the city’s iconic cheesesteak recipe in your own kitchen.
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Even though the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau launched 360ATL, its suite of online virtual reality tour products for event planners, almost four years ago, the need for this content couldn’t be more current. Check out the city’s walkable downtown convention and entertainment district, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, hotels, restaurants and attractions, or get a more expansive view of the destination by exploring the Midtown, Buckhead, Eastside and Westside neighborhoods. To complement the virtual tours, ACVB also offers an online venue catalog of more than 300 restaurants, facilities and attractions that can double as event spaces.
Visit Florida
Armchair travelers can now soak up some digital Vitamin D by virtually exploring the Sunshine State’s 825 miles of beaches via the Florida Beach Finder. Featuring 360-degree images captured by Google Street View Trekker technology, the platform delivers an immersive virtual experience that allows users to choose their favorite seaside locales, including Miami Beach, Boca Raton and Naples. Users can then “drop-in” to their favorite beach by opting for Street View, which allows them to look around and explore.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
Add new comment