In a candid interview Michelle Conway, President/CEO of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau shares her experiences and opinions with MICE Travel Advisor on the revival of MICE tourism industry and its future prospect after the reopening of borders.
What, according to your opinion, is the driving force behind revival of tourism and MICE industries after the reopening of international borders?
Michelle Conway: The whole industry is coming together with industry’s cohesive voice of “Meeting Means Business.”
During this pandemic as leisure destination, Sedona especially benefited from its wide open spaces, the outdoor adventure and wellness opportunities available for visitors.
What are your ideas and plans to reinforce Sedona as a sustainable tourism destination?
Michelle Conway: The impact of tourism permeates everyday life in Sedona. Our community agrees that tourism management should support sustainability goals such as a cleaner environment, a high quality of life and a sound economy. Getting our three million plus annual visitors informed, engaged and fully on board with this effort will significantly determine our success. We have several initiatives that help us connect with both our visitors and residents, not only to obtain their support but to also enlist their participation:
Which countries do you focus on inviting tourists from? What are your target destinations for promoting MICE tourism?
Michelle Conway: Sedona focuses its international inbound travel trade sales efforts on countries that are aligned with Sedona’s focus on sustainability and have higher visitation to the US in the summer and winter seasons. Counties include the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark), Switzerland, Japan, Germany, the U.K., and the Benelux countries.
We currently do not have programs that focus on promoting Sedona as a MICE destination internationally. Our programs target domestic MICE planners with focus on AZ and nearby states of CA, CO, TX, NV, etc.
How many events have you been able to secure in the next few years? What COVID protocols are adopted by Sedona Chamber of Commerce And Tourism Bureau for hosting safe and successful events?
Michelle Conway: Over 30 meetings/events became definite for the next few years.
Sedona ‘Safe.Clean.Ready’ program was introduced during the pandemic.
The Sedona ‘Safe.Clean.Ready’ campaign promotes safe public behaviors for residents and visitors and a list of voluntary commitments from local businesses, who are then listed on the Sedona | Safe.Clean.Ready to help spread the word that Sedonans are working together for community safety and encourage our visitors to join us, the Chamber and the City have posted sandwich boards and variable road signs around town, and distributed posters and window stickers to participating businesses.
Our business commits to:
We ensure increasing regular housekeeping practices, including routine cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, equipment and other elements of the work environment, modifying business hours where necessary to carry out thorough sanitation procedures, utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves and encouraging customers to do so, when appropriate.
Our employees are committed to:
My Employees Commit to:
Handling money
Please enlighten us on the mode(s) of conveyance for the MICE organizers and common tourists visiting Sedona.
Michelle Conway: Main gateway cities:
Various transportation companies including Jet Limousines Sedona, Vitesse Worldwide AZ LLC
Zeus M Tours, Groome Transportation, etc. offer airport transfers and other transportation needs for MICE organizers and visitors.
There are no upcoming events at this time