TRAVELERS HABITS ARE CHANGING, AND SO IS THE MARKETING LANDSCAPE
GPTMC Will Address This Topic During Annual Tourism Week Presentation

Philadelphia, April 15, 2005 — The newest consumer trends are shaking up the travel industry. Today’s travelers are mobile and wireless. They demand value, information and personalization. To help Philadelphia’s hotels, attractions, restaurants and convention and visitors bureaus remain competitive, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) has assembled a panel of experts to address how marketers are responding to these trends at the company’s seventh annual “Report to the Industry.” Taking place on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, during National Tourism Week, the event and cocktail reception will be held at the Independence Seaport Museum beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Page Thompson, CEO North America of OMB Worldwide, will make the keynote speech, addressing the issue of mass versus micro marketing. Thompson’s company, the world’s second largest media operation, has more than 80 offices in 45 countries and has specialist units focused on such areas as direct response, digital services and integrated marketing.

After the keynote speech, Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of GPTMC, will moderate a panel discussion with the region’s top marketing mavens, who will discuss the challenges facing the Philadelphia market and present novel techniques that area organizations are using to address the issues. Panelists include:

• Mark Hughes, CEO, Buzz Marketing (non-traditional marketing)

• Victor Negron, partner, CGN, (multicultural marketing)

• Jeremiah White, chairman, Osiris Group (interactive marketing)

• Tom Wise, director of sales, Comcast Spotlight (cable television)

• Mish Clark, vice president of marketing, Sesame Place (marketing partnerships)

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The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676

2005

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