In pursuit of new meetings, the Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau in Lexington, Ky., has issued a challenge to local resident in hopes that they'll help bring new group business to the so-called Bluegrass Region.
Part of its existing "Hometown Host" program, which recognizes area residents when they help the CVB find and secure meetings business, the challenge offers Lexington locals the chance to win a $1,000 gift certificate when they deliver a qualified lead that helps the bureau secure a meeting with 50 or more room nights.
An added bonus: The CVB is offering $100 in cash to the first 100 Lexington residents who contact it within 100 days with a legitimate meeting contact.
"We're paying people to help us bring meetings to Lexington," Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau Vice President of Sales Dennis Johnston said in a statement. "We spend money on advertising in trade publications and sponsoring events at industry shows, but encouraging local citizens to get involved is a great way to generate new leads and give back to our community."
In order to qualify for cash—and be entered in its gift card drawing—the CVB says Lexington residents can submit a qualified sales lead in person, by phone, by e-mail or even by posting a comment on the bureau's Facebook page.
However they submit their lead, Johnston said the important thing is that they submit it, because meetings and conferences have an estimated economic impact of $265 million annually in Lexington.
"We need referrals, preferably personal contacts to the decision makers within [professional] organizations," he said. "It's as simple as telling us who you know, and you could be helping support our local economy."
For more information about its Hometown Host program, visit the Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau online at
www.visitlex.com.