Meeting Planner Testimonials

Our Meeting Services department has won the Meetings and Conventions Gold Service Award in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Read some of the reviews we’ve gotten from satisfied meeting professionals.

"Her responsiveness and attention to detail was second to none..."

Over the years, I have learned that one of the most important assets a planner can have is partnerships with the CVBs in the cities we hold meetings. Suzanne Scully, Meetings & Conventions Director for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater CVB, proved me right in a big way. With one phone call to Suzanne I was able to arrange a site visit, transportation to and from the airport and restaurant visits that were based on the specific needs of my group. In short, her responsiveness and attention to detail was second to none. She was able to do all of this, even though it has been rumored that meeting planners can be a tough group to please.  Although I cannot prove she had anything to do with it, when I started booking flights for my staffers to attend our meeting, I noticed that the ticket prices had dropped by 1/3, saving my organization even more money to go to this already very affordable destination. Suzanne is making me look good and helping to ensure that my meeting is a success. I cannot thank her and her team enough.
– Sondra Lynnette West
American Benefits Council

"Such a willing and helpful extension of our team..."

I had a wonderful experience with the St. Pete/Clearwater CVB. The staff was very proactive in contacting me to offer assistance with a variety of services. I was thrilled to learn about the complimentary visitor guides they offer to groups and they even went a step further and arranged to have them imprinted with our logo. We also took advantage of their group welcome airport signage opportunity – so simple to arrange through the CVB and loads of impact when the group arrived. As an independent meeting planner, it was great to know I had such a willing and helpful extension to our team.
– Olivia Immerman
Voila! Meeting & Event Management

"A great source of local knowledge..."

Working with Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater CVB has been such a pleasure. Jill Brown was a great source of local knowledge and went above and beyond to show me St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The CVB offers some great marketing tools that planners can use for their meeting including a free Save The Date card that has a wonderful picture of the beach that was sent to all my potential attendees. All CVB staff have provided prompt responses to all of our inquiries and have been very hands-on during the contracting process and beginning promotions of our meeting. I am sure that the St. Pete/Clearwater CVB will be a valuable tool as we finalize meeting plans and our meeting comes to fruition over the next year. I look forward to continue growing my relationship with them.
– Liz M. Rader
The American Ceramic Society

"Attendance is always high..."

In the past four years, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has held more than 30 small and medium-sized section meetings in the St. Pete/Clearwater area, southwest of Tampa, “and we plan on returning,” said Francine Meyer, NEMA meeting manager. “Attendance is always high. Our members appreciate the variety of high quality, attractive and affordable hotels on the beach, and restaurants and activities within walking distance.”
– Francine Meyer
NEMA, National Electrical Manufacturers Association