 Hot Markets for SMERF Meetings
...ope, but make no mistake: The SMERF market is robust. According t... Group Performance Index, the SMERF market accounted for 16.5 per...tings and events in Q1 2024. SMERF meetings—social, military, ... seminars, to name a few. The SMERF market is great for hotels be... choosing a destination for a SMERF gathering, whether for a fami...or church group. Because many SMERF events are not ass...
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Search results for: SMERF
 Grace and grit: The SMERF segment proves where there’s a will, there’s a way
...hat never really slowed down: SMERF. An acronym for Social, Milit...Religious, and Fraternal, the SMERF market continues to demonstra... groups represented under the SMERF umbrella. While the size of t...itude and resilience make the SMERF segment popular year-round wi... opportunity to be in season. SMERF groups, with their varied mak...s group room nights booked by SMERF meetings and conve...
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 Staying power: SMERF groups fuel recovery as destinations work to meet their needs
The mighty SMERF market is propping up the mee...us, and fraternal groups, the SMERF market has consistently booke...,” says Katherine DiPietro, SMERF and travel industry sales man...the city hosted came from the SMERF sector. It was the biennial c... VisitLex. “We believe the SMERF market will be key to our cit...stination for groups from all SMERF segments. But Barnett says th...s. Le...
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 The SMERF market: Defying travel trends during a pandemic
...ion, Religious and Fraternal (SMERF) market to keep business stab...orporate meetings and events, SMERF organizations have been a sil... are still happening for some SMERF organizations, and some desti... seen a consistent demand for SMERF events, said James Williams, ...m. “The good news about the SMERF market is it has been the str...ex., has always had an active SMERF presence, and that...
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 Serving SMERFs: Balancing marketing needs and destination options
...d be an understatement to say SMERF events come in a wide variety...religious and fraternal—the SMERF market is as diverse as the r...ies as well. “Working with SMERF groups affords you an opportu... driven organizations.” “SMERF meeting planners tend to be v...on adds. Benefits Of Hosting SMERFs SMERF events also offer destination...s a standard request for many SMERF groups,”...
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 On the Right Track: Drive-in Destinations
...ing to David Bradley, vice president of business development for Visit Shreveport-Bossier, Shreveport attracts a diverse mix of meeting segments, including sports tournaments, state associations, and SMERF, corporate, government, and medical groups. “Our destination is seeing particular growth in faith-based gatherings, government and military meetings, sports tournaments, and infinity ...
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 Fall 2024 State of the Industry Report
...are planning 11 or more events in the South in the next 12 months. Based on survey responses, trade shows and conferences make up an overwhelming majority—80 percent—of the events being planned. SMERF, specifically faith meetings, and board meetings represent 20 percent of the events being planned by survey respondents. Attendance at events remains strong, too. For 81 percent of respon...
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 Talking Points: A conversation with Kimberly Wootteon of Kampgrounds of America Inc.
...mpanions. Select locations offer EV charging. While campgrounds are known for hosting families, reunions, and RV rallies, KOA campgrounds offer venues for a variety of meetings and events, including SMERF groups, corporate retreats, and weddings. With most KOA campgrounds offering lodging and meeting space, the campground becomes a camper or a meeting planner’s outdoor hotel. Front-desk t...
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 Isaiah Griffin – Fayetteville Area CVB
...economy that, on average, saves our local taxpayers $130 in taxes per household each year, so it’s very rewarding in many ways. I work with all types of meetings and events, but my specialty is the SMERF (social, military, education, religious, and fraternal) market, and I enjoy working with all those groups. What made you choose the meetings and events industry? I honestly can’t say t...
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 Hit the road: A shifting landscape has drive-in destinations mapping out a plan for success
...ames to book this meeting business,” Willard says. For example, Texas Regional Counselors sent Beaumont an RFP for June 2022, leaving about a six-month lead time. This same trend has been true for SMERF (social, military, educational, religious, and fraternal) markets, as well as state associations and government groups, Willard says. Beaumont has always targeted the driving audience for...
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COVID-19 and Our Industry
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