Taking the lead from the Regency Hyatt Savannah, three of Atlanta’s major hotels introduced a marketing video last week that highlights attractions such as the Margaret Mitchell House & Museum as a means to attract global conferences and international visitors here.
The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Renaissance Concourse Atlanta and Hyatt Regency Atlanta are to mail the video presentation on compact disc in early 2004 to meeting planners in Europe and South America, highlighting the city’s attractions.
“We became committed to the concept after listening to the solid results obtained by the Regency Hyatt Savannah,” said Ted Kanatas, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. “The presentation brings together the quality of the history, travel, food and biography channels all wrapped into one presentation.”
Mr. Kanatas also said that the outreach would be geared to a new generation of visitors from overseas, who know little about the city beyond its famous brands, such as CNN and Coca-Cola.
The video was produced by Discovery Tours LLP, a Maryland-based film production company, which has been successful in highlighting hotels and attractions in Annapolis, Md., Baltimore, Savannah and Washington.
“A video presentation marketing Atlanta is more cost effective than hosting a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or NBA,” explained Will Howard, president of the company.
He cited a study completed by American Express Co. in 2001 prior to 9/11, in which 40 percent of visitors to New York indicated that watching a video presentation on the city on the hotel’s visitor channel led them to spend an additional $100 in the city.
The video will also be played in guestrooms of each hotel on closed circuit television encouraging visitors to learn more about the city during their stay. On the suggestion of Mr. Kanatas, Wes Sarginson, a news anchor with WXIA-TV, was hired to narrate the film.
“All advertisement messages are woven into the documentary,” said Mr. Howard. “We also limit the number of advertisers for each presentation.”
Those interested in obtaining a compact disc should contact
contact David Farleigh at (404) 694-2221.