Recently, Successful Meetings sat down with Christopher Rodrigues, CBE, chairman of VisitBritain, to talk about the national destination marketing organization's renewed focus on the meetings, incentives, conventions, and events (MICE) market.
Noting that due to "previous budget cuts, we had to devolve business tourism marketing" to the city and regional tourism authorities, Rodrigues says that the current government has made regional development outside of London a priority, so the funding -- and VisitBritain -- are back.
In the ten videos below, Rodrigues discusses why the U.K. is a great MICE destination and ways the destination marketing organization (DMO) can assist planners. Topics discussed below include sports, food, safety and accessibility, "mind-blowing" historic venues, and long-overlooked Wales.
Along with heading up VisitBritain, Rodrigues is a trustee of the U.K.'s National Trust as well as a vice chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council. And he is chairman of the British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association.
Unforgettable History: From the cradle of many sports to mind-blowing historic venues, Britain is rich in "wow" moments.
Unforgettable Moments: Aligning marketing behind amazing moments
Remember the CEO: What they want more than anything else out of a conference is an unforgettable moment
Appealing to Millennials: Britain's history makes it easy to find a connection to anyone's passion
Appealing to Foodies: The perception that British food is bland and overcooked is 50 years out of date, and the country is a culinary center for cuisine from the rest of the world.
Easy Access: Britain is compact enough for planners to look outside London
Don't Forget Wales: From stunning scenery to easy access to Zaha Hadid's amazing Millennium Center, there are many reasons to consider Wales
Great Speakers: VisitBritain can help find speakers on any subject
Safety: Britain is a safe, secure, cultural melting pot
Working with VisitBritain: While "previous budget cuts" forced VisitBritain "to devolve business tourism marketing" to the city and regional tourism authorities, it is back.