Pennsylvania Dutch CVB Introduces Passkey

Will complement bureau's new ownership of the Lancaster County Reservation Center

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. December 16, 2008

DECEMBER 16, 2008. The Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau (PA Dutch CVB) has selected the Passkey booking system to handle its online group housing requests, based on the program's reputation as the industry-leading reservation solution. The new software will complement the Bureau's assumption of operations of the Lancaster County Reservation Center on January 1, 2009, and will provide a crucial tool in attracting groups to the area.

With its rich history (including the nation's oldest Amish community), a thriving arts and dining scene, and so many things to see and do, it's no wonder that Lancaster County attracts more than 8 million visitors each year.

That number is set to increase even further with the April 2009 arrival of the Lancaster County Convention Center complex. Situated in the heart of historic downtown Lancaster city and seamlessly incorporating the facade of the historic Watt & Shand department store, the new $170 million convention center and adjoining 300-room Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square will offer more than 220,000 total square feet of space and the latest technology for conventions, events, and trade shows.

'With the Reservation Center coming in-house in January and our new integrated Convention Center - Marriott facility opening this spring, we wanted to ensure we were offering the latest housing reservation technology to meeting and convention planners,' said Chris Barrett, president & CEO of the PA Dutch CVB. 'Passkey fits the bill perfectly and sends the message that we're serious about competing and growing in the meeting and convention market.'

The Passkey system provides valuable benefits to all involved in the group housing process. Planners holding their events in Lancaster County will be able to:

• Offer attendees the convenience of booking their hotel rooms online in the contracted block

• Monitor and track pick-up with instant inventory alerts

• Connect event registration directly to hotel reservations

• Communicate with event attendees via pre-arrival emails

• Access real-time reports 24/7

• Evaluate the success of their event using an easy-to-read Planner Dashboard

Host hotels in the Lancaster area will enjoy the benefits of:

• Automated room lists

• Significant incremental revenue boosts by offering extended stays, room upgrades, and hotel amenities to group guests

• Advanced reporting, which saves time spent fielding planner requests

'We see a trend of planners moving away from traditional group cities as host locations for their events,' noted Greg Pesik, president & CEO of Passkey. 'Bureaus in secondary-size markets like Lancaster County recognize the value Passkey provides in seizing these opportunities and offering an affordable yet attractive group experience. Our proven user-friendly technology will allow the PA Dutch CVB to deliver a convenient and consistent booking experience, which in turn will drive even more new group business to Lancaster.'

About the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our thriving downtown city life - featuring galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music - or explore some of the surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which Lancaster is famous. Visit today at www.discoverlancasterpa.com.