Laura d’Elsa, Regional Director USA and Canada, at the German Convention Bureau (GCB), was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions about the GCB, its activities, and about the meetings industry.
Thanks to Laura d’Elsa for her time, and for her very informative responses. They are greatly appreciated.
Please tell us about the German Convention Bureau (GCB) and some of the activities you direct out of the New York office.
Laura d’Elsa: I represent the GCB in the North American markets and promote Germany as a leading meetings destination. The New York office is the main point of contact for U.S. and Canadian companies, associations and organizations interested in hosting events, meetings, and incentive programs in Germany.
At the GCB, we educate clients and prospects on the benefits of hosting meetings in Germany, which include excellent value for money, brilliant centers of expertise, a world class transportation system, exciting and historic cities, and many green venues and convention centers.
We understand there is an important trade show coming up for meetings and conventions planners – IMEX America. What will the German Convention Center do at the show?
Laura d’Elsa: Yes, the third annual IMEX America will be held October 15 – 17 in Las Vegas, and the GCB has a very large presence at the show. We will be in booth #2220 with 35 of our German business partners, so show attendees can meet with/experience all the country has to offer across its world class cities, services and venues. It is very important for us to be at the show because it gives North American meeting planners the chance to meet and establish relationships with German suppliers who they might work with in the future.
Laura d’Elsa (photo left)
The meetings industry is undergoing some changes. What do you think are some of the hot issues that planners will be addressing in the coming year?
Laura d’Elsa: The most pressing issue meeting planners face is creating better events. Increasingly the bar is being raised for high value in a business event, as companies prioritize those activities that generate an important return on investment.
A key benefit of locating a business meeting or conference in Germany is the opportunity to leverage the local industry expertise and resources in key sectors such as automotive, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, finance and economics, logistics management, technology and more. In using this expertise, meeting planners can add value to their meetings and events through local expert speakers and site visits in their fields of interest.
What’s next for the German Convention Bureau?
Laura d’Elsa: Our focus is the client. We are committed to meeting the needs of meeting planners today as well as anticipating their needs tomorrow. We do this by keeping an ear to the ground and delivering the best possible service and meetings experience. We also do formal and informal research on a regular basis to ensure that the programs and assets we develop map to the business needs of our planners and in turn their organizations and their membership.
We are proud of what we have accomplished in Germany, particularly for business travelers who could essentially have their destination pick of the world yet continue to return to Germany for world-class conferences, meetings and events. After all, Germany is the #1 association meetings destination in Europe and #2 in the world.
What’s next for Laura d’Elsa?
Laura d’Elsa: It is a very exciting time to be in the meetings business, and the GCB has been breaking new ground with its “key industry strategy”, as mentioned above. Additionally, just this spring we went to an important trade show in Brazil, where I was able to meet with planners from all over Latin America and South America. There is a lot to do and we have a lot to offer. That’s what keeps me coming into work every day.
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About the German Convention Bureau
The German Convention Bureau (GCB) represents and markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events and incentives both on a national and international scale. It is the first point of contact for companies, associations and organizations around the world planning events in Germany.
Acting as a connector to the wide range of German event service providers, venues and host cities, the German Convention Bureau (GCB) provides hands-on advice and support to planners and executives in all industries and organizations. To bring maximum value, quality and customization to each meeting and event hosted in Germany, the GCB also helps hosts and attendees leverage the country’s deep expertise in green meetings and key industries such as pharmaceuticals, financials, automotive, logistics & transportation, and technology.
The GCB’s more than 200 members include leading hotels, convention centers, destinations, event agencies and service providers of the German meetings and conventions industry. Accor Hotels, DuesseldorfCongress, and Stuttgart Convention Bureau are Preferred Partners of the GCB. As Strategic Partners, Lufthansa German Airlines, Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railways), and the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) support the work of the GCB.
The German Convention Bureau (GCB) (www.germany-meetings.com) serves as a useful online tool to find detailed information on Germany, search venues and vendors, get tips for green meetings, catch up on the latest news, access travel guides, and much more. Follow the German Convention Bureau in the U.S. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GermanyMeetings.
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