Press Release

ONTARIO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2004 – Starting with the distribution of 4,000 magnetic word kits to meeting planners nationwide, the Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau today launched its new direct mail campaign to promote Ontario as an affordable convention/meetings destination.
 
"Ontario gives meeting planners the most affordable access to Southern California and we want them to know that," said Amita Patel, director of sales and marketing for the OCVB. "Due to our direct marketing campaign last year, our qualified leads increased 116 percent. We will continue to build upon that success."
 
The quarterly campaign will continue to sell the concept of "sunshine" by featuring luggage tags in January, plastic beverage holders in April and finally a sun stress ball in June. Each item is branded with the OCVB logo and Web site. The campaign targets 4,000 meeting planners nationwide.
 
"Our goal this year is to increase the number of request for proposals online with a more targeted campaign and continue educating meeting planners about Ontario," Patel said. "This year we are offering a chance to win two tickets at the end each quarter to anywhere Southwest Airlines flies if they complete an RFP online."
 
The purpose of the campaign is to differentiate Ontario in Southern California from the Province of Ontario in Canada. Ontario has exactly what meeting planners are searching for, including proximity to Los Angeles-Ontario International Airport, and brand name hotels with negotiable rates, Patel said.
 
For the past 10 years, Southern California has been the top destination of choice for meeting planners. With corporate budget cuts over the past three years, Ontario remains the most affordable and centrally-located option for those wishing to plan meetings in Southern California.