New ad campaign shows off the Detroit revival as a destination

"It's go time."

That's the idea behind a video being marketed to cities like Chicago and Indianapolis. With food, sports and entertainment as inspiration, the nearly two-minute video talks about Detroit's revival. 

"We want people to get off their couch, get out of their bedrooms, leave work and come visit Detroit," said Larry Alexander.

Alexander, with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, touts the video as he talks about the 10 major conventions coming to Detroit bringing in anywhere between 4,000 and close to 70,000 people in 2018. 

The economic impact totals $200 million.

"The volleyball championships, 67,500 people, robotics, 40,000, they go and on and on," he said. "All of them we competed for years ago and they've decided to come in this year."

The food scene has whet the appetites of locals and critics alike - and that's helped grab the attention of conventioneers.

"All these great restaurants, Zagat has us as number three in the hot food cities to visit," Alexander said.  "That's what it's all about. It means jobs, it means tax revenue, it means people coming in."

Then there's the NFL Draft. Detroit is in the running to host in 2019. It could mean as much as $90 million in economic impact.
   
The first step?

"To go out and make a presentation to the NFL in New York in their offices and that went very well," said Kris Smith, Detroit Sports Commission. "So again, we're looking forward to some great news and we are happy to throw our hats into the ring."