NYC DMO launches AI-generated chat platform for planners

i By January 16, 2025 No Comments

New York City Tourism + Conventions has launched “Ellis,” the first-ever meetings and conventions planning artificial intelligence chat platform created for business event professionals.

Created in partnership with GuideGeek, Matador Network’s artificial intelligence genius, Ellis provides expert guidance and resources for meeting planners in 45 languages. It is available at nyctourism.com/meetings and via WhatsApp.

“We are pleased to unveil Ellis, the first-ever AI chat platform by a DMO designed to revolutionize event planning in New York City,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “As a global leader in travel, we’re breaking new ground with this free, innovative tool that empowers planners to craft unique events across our five boroughs. With 13.1 million business travelers expected this year, NYC is primed to deliver unforgettable experiences.”

“Ellis opens up an exciting new chapter for business event professionals,” said Jerry Cito, executive vice-president, Convention Development at New York City Tourism + Conventions. “We’re thrilled to enhance our convention development services with this innovative new feature, helping planners customize their events with endless possibilities across New York City’s five boroughs.”

How to use Ellis

Named after the storied landmark Ellis Island, a beacon of welcome in New York City, Ellis was built on the ChatGPT4o platform by Matador Network’s GuideGeek. It ingested information from NYCTourism.com along with more than 1,000 integrations for travel information to help business event professionals streamline venue research and welcome delegates to NYC.

Meeting professionals can ask Ellis questions like, “What is a room with a fantastic skyline view I can rent for a meeting of 50 people? or “How can I incorporate authentic Chinatown cuisine into a conference I’m hosting in the area?” and receive instant, detailed responses.

In the spring, NYC Tourism + Conventions will launch a consumer-facing chat platform called Libby. Named after the Statue of Liberty, it will provide leisure travelers with best-in-class service to plan a trip to NYC and to explore the destination once in-market.

Custom versions of GuideGeek, which earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies, prioritize proprietary data from the DMO along with custom guardrails and settings so that the AI can provide instant responses via the DMO’s website and social media accounts, ranging from generating full itineraries to providing on-the-go recommendations.