Small Market Meetings Magazine has selected the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau�s (FCVB) website, www.explorefairbanks.com,as one of the top websites for smaller U.S. cities. In the April 2004 issue featuring the increasing importance of the Internet in meeting planning, the FCVB website is referred to as �a breath of fresh air�crisp, clean and well-organized.�

The FCVB website was given particular praise for its meeting planners section. The description of pre- and post-meeting adventures in the itinerary builder option makes it �easy for meeting planners to add fun activities to itineraries.� Other items receiving commendation were the steps to success timeline, the planning checklist, and the easy-to-use grid format in the facilities section. The facilities section was also given kudos for providing quick links to each meeting facility, complete with floor plans and meeting room dimensions. The article notes that the site provides an E-mail link to the bureau�s military reunion sales staff, and that RFP�s can be submitted online. The fact that �Site inspections and familiarization tours are thoroughly explained� was also mentioned in the article.

Citing a recent poll on the Meeting Professional International website, the magazine noted that half of meeting planners polled indicated that a website is their first choice when looking for information about a company or business. Seventy-eight percent said they preferred communication by E-mail during the RFP process, and 21 percent said they choose electronic brochures delivered via E-mail. Sixty-five percent of those polled said that they book airline travel online.

If you would like more information on meeting or event planning, go to www.explorefairbanks.com or contact Meetings and Conventions Manager Jennifer Jolis at jjolis@explorefairbanks.com. If you would like to request a free copy of the 2004 Fairbanks Visitor Guide or the upcoming 2005 Winter Guide, click on www.explorefairbanks.com/Request

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Media Contact: Karen Lundquist +1 (907) 457-3282 x227 klundquist@explorefairbanks.com