(June 2021)

 

In September 2020, the U.S. Travel Association spearheaded the “Let’s Go There” campaign to inspire Americans to make plans to travel. 

 

The Let’s Go There Campaign reminded Americans of the joy of travel and the benefits associated with making plans for future travel when the time was right for travel.

 

Through the collaboration of every sector of the travel and tourism industry – from the largest corporations to smaller destination marketing organizations – the Let’s Go There campaign was a great success and helped lead us to where we are today. The industry was united with the simple goal of encouraging Americans to keep dreaming of their next vacation. 

 

Today, domestic leisure travel is largely back, and in many cases has returned to 2019 levels. However, since the full recovery of the travel economy will not be possible until all segments of travel rebound, U.S. Travel Association has just launched the next step of the process, the “Let’s Meet There” campaign.

 

As domestic leisure travel continues to surge, business travel and professional meetings and events are struggling. Therefore, travel and tourism industry professionals continue to work together to communicate the economic importance and intrinsic value of safely restoring face-to-face connections.

 

In-person meetings play a vital role in connecting people, building and maintaining strong relationships, and enhancing results. The Let’s Meet There campaign highlights that professional meetings and events have the advantage of being structured and well-organized large gatherings where mitigation factors can be enforced to protect the health and safety of those in attendance.

 

Business travelers account for 40-60% of lodging and air revenue which is critical to our economic recovery. This segment is also essential to corporate productivity and profitability.

 

The Visit Stillwater team is available to serve as a resource for business meetings and event planners. The team of destination marketing professionals will help select optimal dates, secure meeting space or an event venue, coordinate a hotel room block, provide contacts for local caterers, and assist in other details imperative to a successful meeting or event. 

 

The U.S. Travel Association is the leading force that grows and sustains travel and protects the freedom to travel. Their efforts are focused on achieving a shared vision for the industry that travel is understood as essential to the economy, American jobs, security, image, and well-being of the United States and travelers. For more information on travel and tourism issues and research, go to ustravel.org.

 

For the most current and up-to-date information regarding the Stillwater hospitality industry, go to VisitStillwater.org, “Like” Visit Stillwater on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @VisitStillwater. Cristy Morrison, Visit Stillwater President and CEO, can be reached at Cristy@VisitStillwater.org or by calling 405-743-3697.