Frandsen heads up BestCities Global Alliance

David Frandsen, executive manager of Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau

Frandsen will work with Natasha Tomé (head of marketing and communications, Dubai Convention Bureau) and Lisa Altieri (associate vice president business development, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau) in their respective roles as chairs of the management committee and sales group in 2011. In tandem with their efforts, Frandsen will communicate a future vision for the alliance and oversee the overall development of its strategic plan.

"BestCities has come a long way from what started as a friendly brainstorming session among five diverse and competing convention bureaux a little more than 10 years ago. Today it is a force of some of the world's top convention bureaux with combined resources and expertise. Our common thread? The best meeting experience for all our clients," says Frandsen.

"This year, we will up the ante with even more business development initiatives and activities and hold two client events, one each in Copenhagen and Dubai. Our Bid Intelligence Registry is an information source that will help our partner cities better understand the meeting requirements of clients, and serve their needs even better."

In its recent 12-month survey of some 200 clients, customer service, quality of bid materials provided, overall experience of working with the CVB and assistance with the bid preparation were rated very highly, with an average rating of 9 out of 10, and even more in some cases.

Natasha Tome, chair of the Management Committee which oversees the operational aspect of the alliance adds, "This year, we will launch our series of eight Resource Articles, which will provide meeting planners around the world access to best practices for a successful meeting."

Lisa Altieri stated that business development 'has never been stronger' and promised a host of activities that will give meeting planners more contact with the alliance. "Meeting planners can also submit their RFP via our alliance website and be assured of a response within 24 hrs on a business day."

For more details, email Frandsen on az.oc.nwotepacmsiruot@divad.