Planner Testimonials
“It has been great working with you, and we appreciate everything you’ve done to make our week so successful! It’s been a pleasure, and we’re already working on tweaks for next year, and I’m sure will be deep into planning before we know it. Please pass along our thanks to the rest of the team, too."
—Ellen Palumbo, Sales Enablement, Lenovo North America
"I conducted a site visit to Raleigh during COVID-19 for a client hosting a 2022 city-wide event. Even during the pandemic, when most of the town was shut down, we fell in love with the city's charm. My client decided to book the event at the Raleigh Convention Center with five different hotels for sleeping rooms. This group had never held their event at a convention center before and was worried about the unknown. GRCVB was amazing in helping us piece this program together. COVID-19 lasted longer than we had hoped, but everyone involved was willing to adapt/modify contracts to make sure it worked for all parties. This is one of the few times I felt a true partnership with all vested parties."
—Diane J. Fulton, CMP, President, Meeting Masters, Inc.
“I would like to commend Gray Henderson. Throughout the entire negotiating process to the final delivery of services this past weekend, Gray was there to assist, guide and suggest, and showed sincere professionalism, attention to detail and responsiveness to our every need. No detail was too small where he didn’t think of options and make suggestions, and was helpful in every way.”
—Julia Ann Carpenter, The Daughters of the British Empire
"Thank you, Raleigh! This conference was so important to our organization for so many reasons, and all of you at the GRCVB were a huge part of the success! Everyone loved your city, especially the proximity of the venues, the food and kindness of the people of Raleigh! I heard nothing but good things regarding the city, and for that, I am grateful. I wouldn't be surprised if the Southern Region doesn't return to Raleigh in 2026. Personally, I hope to return to Raleigh soon so that I can really enjoy your beautiful city!"
—Connie Drosakis, Former Southern Regional President, American Choral Directors Association
“I wanted to take a minute and thank you both [director of sales Malinda Harrell, CMP Fellow, CASE, and director of destination services, Tammy Jeffries, CGSP®] for all the support for our user conference last week. It was the best one ever, and we’ve heard so many great comments—particularly around the venue, the food and beverage, Raleigh’s welcoming atmosphere and the little details that you both play such a big part in behind-the-scenes. I truly love working with both of you fabulous ladies and think you are the best in the business! The care and thought you both put into taking care of us is evident and so very appreciated.”
—Shelby Lee Keiser, Senior Conference and Event Specialist, nCino
"I think you are about the nicest and best CVB I’ve had the pleasure of working with! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Please know I’m one of your biggest fans!”
—Nanci Malcolm, CMP, Retired Meeting Professional, Caterpillar Inc.
"The support that NCaeyc receives from the incredible staff of [Visit Raleigh] has proven to be essential to our success!... We are deeply appreciative of our relationship with the [Visit Raleigh] staff who know we have a lot riding on our annual conference! [Director of sales] Malinda Harrell[, CMP Fellow, CASE,] and [director of services] Julie Brakenbury[, CGSP®,] encourage us, celebrate with us and share their insights and expertise to help us plan innovatively and act strategically for success and impact. And although we are a small nonprofit, we receive the greatest care and attention from [Visit Raleigh] staff. They understand and are responsive to our needs. They connect us to people, resources and ideas that help make our annual conference a tremendous success..."
—Lorie Barnes, Executive Director, N.C. Association for the Education of Young Children (NCaeyc)
"Stephen Jackson, CMP, is one of the best CVB sales managers that I have had the pleasure to work with! His follow-through is consistently awesome."
—Doralen Mcclincon, Global Account Executive, ConferenceDirect
"In 2006, during a web search for potential sites for our annual statewide conference, I stumbled upon the website for the proposed Raleigh Convention Center and [Visit Raleigh]. After meeting the staff, a discussion began between their leaders and my stakeholders. What came out of those initial meetings was a new vision for our event focused on growth and convenience to our guests. [Visit Raleigh] did that! Their leadership, vision and networking has allowed us to not only double our attendance, but continue to grow over the past nine years. [Visit Raleigh] has provided the highest degree of professionalism, courtesy and innovative strategies insures that our event's home is in Raleigh for years to come."
—Jason Davis, State FFA Coordinator, N.C. FFA Association
"I can't thank you enough for your work in putting together the proposals and tour; the number of hours and headaches you saved me (and Angela) is remarkable, and we are excited to continue working with the Bureau as we move forward with contracts and planning."
—Dr. J. Reaser, North Carolina State University Department of English
From a meeting planner commenting on RDU International Airport: "[Terminal 2 is] a beautiful terminal. I didn't realize there were so many direct flights to Raleigh. I'm really impressed with your airport and will be going there more often than not from now on."
"Your service and commitment to provide quality to patrons of Raleigh is second to none! Thank you for the hospitality."
—Shlondra Amacker, Meeting Planner, Mid-Atlantic Alpha Kappa Alpha
"On behalf of the Executive Council, staff and members of ASALH, thank you for everything you did to attract ASALH to your city and then to help open the city of Raleigh to us for our 95th Annual Convention. We have received nothing but high marks about not only the convention, but our being back in Raleigh.... Again, thank you for helping us pull off a smashing success in Raleigh."
—Sylvia Y. Cyrus, Executive Director, and Marvin Pittman, Local Arrangement Chair, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc.
"Our Conference attendees loved your city, the Convention Center, and the Marriott. They were also impressed with the number of Raleigh dignitaries ... who took time to welcome us on Wednesday. The people appreciated the friendliness and hospitality of all employees at the Convention Center and those in catering. Overall, we had a wonderful conference."
—Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSA, Executive Director, Tekakwitha Conference
"I wanted to take the time to personally thank you for all your support last week and the past year.... You came through with everything you promised and helped make our event a successful one.... Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you in the future."
—Paul J. Gornie, Executive & Professions Event Support, IBM CHQ, Human Resources
"Thanks so much for your help as we planned and implemented our recent conference in Raleigh. The Bureau's support was most welcome. I really enjoyed working with you.... The conference was productive and enjoyable. I really liked working in the Raleigh Convention Center on Thursday. The facility is so bright and airy and was a nice change...."
—Bette Worley, President, National Student Exchange
"I just want to say thank you for all you guys did to make our meeting such a success. We have had great comments. It helps so much with [Visit Raleigh] providing the information desks... I think the team in Raleigh is just outstanding. I will certainly recommend Raleigh and the convention center to anyone I come across planning a meeting..."
—Meg Murphy, Director of Facilities & Meetings, Sigma Xi
"In speaking with many attendees and a lot of regulars of WordCamps the overall feeling was that this was a very successful and enjoyable event. Newcomers to WordCamps said they would attend more, and regulars said it was one of the best they had been to. In fact many people tweeted that WordCamp Raleigh was better than WordCamp San Francisco which is the signature event of the year.... Everyone loved Raleigh and the location downtown could not have worked better for us."
—Steve Mortiboy, Organizer, WordCamp Raleigh
