Dallas, Texas, 29 July 2013 – The Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation (CEIR) announced today a creative program providing exhibition organizers with an opportunity to host their next exhibition, convention or event in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, at substantially reduced costs. The program, Destination Bid: Atlanta, offers exhibition organizers convention space at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), and VIP concessions from participating hotels and from the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).
Destination Bid: Atlanta is an online, silent auction program. Exhibition organizers can participate by visiting CEIR Foundation at www.ceir.org/foundation. Here, organizers will find a description of three distinct packages, Signature, Premium, and Elite, with minimum bid requirements. Organizers can then directly submit their preferred dates and event packages online, and upon date approval, they can begin bidding on the selected package. Organizers also have the option to select “buy now” at heavily discounted prices, which closes all bidding on the selected package for that date. The CEIR Foundation will notify organizers by email when they have been outbid and give them an opportunity to rebid. The auction process begins today and closes at 5 p.m. EST on 1 December 2013.
This innovative new program is possible through an alliance between the CEIR Foundation, GWCC, and ACVB. “Research and education play a vital part of our industry’s success,” said Mark Zimmerman, General Manager, Georgia World Congress Center. “The CEIR Foundation continues to be a catalyst in helping to promote the exhibition industry and how we positively impact the overall economy by stimulating job growth. The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau along with the Georgia World Congress Center offered the three convention center auction packages to express our support of the Foundation to continue promoting the value of face-to-face marketing.”
CEIR Foundation Fundraising Council Executive Director David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, said, “To best support the mission of the CEIR Foundation which is dedicated to ensuring the success of the exhibitions and events industry as the premiere marketing medium by supporting research, promotion and education, we are very grateful to Atlanta for their support and dedication to the Foundation. The packages that have been created will fuel more face-to-face events that in turn have a far-reaching economic impact on the cities they serve.”
The partners in the Destination Bid: Atlanta program believe this is an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Atlanta as an ideal destination for corporate meetings, exhibitions, and events. “Atlanta is one of the most accessible cities in the world with an unparalleled hotel package in the heart of a compact convention corridor,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention &Visitors Bureau. “We pride ourselves on a collaborative hospitality community. Everyone at ACVB works as a team with our hotels, venues, restaurants, neighbors and ambassadors to create a seamless meeting experience.”
Destination Bid: Atlanta partners:
CEIR Foundation is the new name for the Exhibition Industry Foundation, a catalyst for industry-wide change and collaborative partnerships with members of the exhibition and event industry. The foundation’s website is www.ceir.org/foundation.
Georgia World Congress Center is the major convention center in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the fourth largest convention center in the United States at 3.9 million feet. The website for the venue is www.gwcc.com.
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is the liaison between meeting planners, tour operators and its 1,200-plus member organizations. The Bureau positions Atlanta as the leading destination for conventions and works with meetings to ensure a successful event from start to finish. For more information on meeting in Atlanta, visit www.iamatl.net.
About CEIR Foundation
The CEIR Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to ensuring the success of the exhibitions and events industry as the premiere marketing medium by supporting research, promotion and education. The funds raised have helped fund multiple education programs, and research specifically designed to promote the advancement of the industry and educate future industry leaders. As the exhibitions and events industry continues to evolve, the Foundation will continue to support industry wide initiatives that make our industry more sustainable for the future.
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Media Contact:
Susan Brower, CMM, CCP
CEIR Foundation
972.687.9207
sbrower@ceir.org
