Atlanta CVB Citywide Sales Executive Cindy Moss announced she will be retiring from the destination marketing organization at the end of June.
During her 26-year career, Moss landed the Georgia capital city millions of room nights. Before she retires to North Carolina with her French bulldogs, Moss reflected on her time in the industry.
Meetings Today: What aspects of your job have changed, what aspects have stayed the same and what aspects remain critical to having successful partnerships with planners?
Cindy Moss: Since I started in 2000, the growth of our convention campus and surrounding neighborhoods has significantly enhanced our city’s meetings and events’ landscape. Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) expanded its campus from two buildings to three, while major attractions like Georgia Aquarium, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coca-Cola, National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened their doors. Together, they have drastically expanded the city's event space and entertainment options.
I’ve also witnessed Atlanta Beltline come to life since its inception in 2008, and it continues to expand every day with new restaurants and shops along its path. It’s been equally exciting to watch new developments take shape, including Centennial Yards, South Downtown and The Center.
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The technology we use to manage conventions and stay connected with meeting planners has greatly improved over time. I’ve seen everything from the introduction of CRM systems and new digital RFP processes to the option for virtual phone calls and meetings. When you can’t meet in person or pick up the phone, there are still endless ways to stay connected with clients and keep conventions on track.
How have the types of groups that meet in Atlanta changed since you started at the bureau?
It used to be that only a few major industries hosted their conventions in Atlanta. But today, thanks to new tech, emerging hobbies and our growing venue and hotel options, the lineup is incredibly diverse. We now host everything from e-sports tournaments to niche tech summits and global sporting events. There truly is something for everyone, proving no community is too small to gather. Atlanta also has the capability to host events, no matter the size.
What advice would you have for citywide event planners when they are approaching a DMO with an event proposal? What questions can they ask or observations can they make to see if the city and the DMO are the right partners for this event?
It’s important for both citywide and third-party planners to have as much information up front as possible.
In addition to meeting space and hotel room information, it is also beneficial for planners to provide date flexibility;, any ancillary expenses such as electrical, internet, audiovisual, hosted food and beverage and rental concessions requested; and prior historical spend from the past few years.
Our goal is to gather as much information from a client so that we can meet them where they are and make sure their event is seamless and successful.
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How is Atlanta positioned well for the future in terms of meetings and events?
Not only does Atlanta have the right hospitality team in place to be successful for future meetings and events, but new developments and infrastructure projects are making our city stronger than ever. We are seeing our neighborhoods explode with new projects and more things to see and do. Our hotel portfolio is rapidly growing with more options for all types of meetings and events.
Our city’s accessibility continues to be unmatched. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest and most efficient in the world. Nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight of Atlanta, making it easy for any meeting attendee to get here.
Atlanta’s meetings and conventions scene has an exciting future ahead, and I can’t wait to watch it flourish.
