Recently compiled statistics includes confirmed business reported to Meetings Prince Edward Island by member tourism operators from January-September. Already, 206 meetings bringing 26,000 delegates have taken or will take place on the Island this year.  

According to the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (IACVB) Foundation, each convention delegate spends an average of $814 per event and the average event lasts 3.1 days. This translates into an economic impact of $21.5 million to the Island and does not include delegates who choose to extend their trip into a vacation.

Many meeting planners recognize Prince Edward Island as a unique meeting destination. Delegates feel safe and welcome in PEI, and, according to many professional meeting planners, attendance typically rises by 20 per cent when the Island hosts.

The role of Meetings Prince Edward Island is to promote and confirm PEI as the location for meetings, conventions, and special events. The organization also provides complimentary services to meeting planners to help make their jobs easier.

Meetings Prince Edward Island adopted a unique marketing strategy in 2000, which promotes three product groups to meeting planners for their events. These are Canada’s Birthplace, Executive Retreats, and Country Casual. This creates an opportunity to tailor each meeting, convention, or special event to the needs of each group.

“This new marketing strategy is well received by meeting planners and has generated substantial business, as shown in our statistics," said Dave MacGrath, chairman of Meeting Prince Edward Island.