ABOUT OPEN THE DOOR
Open the Door is a strategic marketing and public relations firm uniquely positioned to serve the needs of our domestic and international clients. Leveraging years of professional experience and key contacts to increase business for clients, we specialize in business development, marketing and public relations.
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With over thirty years of experience in the domestic and international marketing arena, and extensive contacts throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America, Open the Door offers clients immediate access to consumer & trade media, meeting planners, tour operators, travel agents, airline personnel & potential marketing partners in both the United States and around the world.
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As a company focused on delivering results, Open the Door has the courage to do things differently. From developing niche markets to increasing leads, we have the experience and expertise to position your organization to yield higher business gains. We know what works, we understand how the consumer thinks, and we know how to build a brand.
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Contact us to learn more about how Open the Door can help you grow your business.
MEET CHRISTINA PAPPAS
President, Open The Door
Open the Door’s principal, Christina Pappas, founded the company to provide clients with a unique network of marketing and communications contacts. With over twenty seven years of experience, Pappas’ background follows a career in the hospitality industry holding the position of Director of Marketing for both the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and the Massachusetts Port Authority.
As a solid leader with a number of key relationships on local, regional and international levels, Pappas has been responsible for generating significant results, including:
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Creating a global destination marketing program that positioned Boston and New England as a world class destination in over 20 countries. Her work resulted in a 15% increase in international visitors to the region, 12% above the national average; generating $1.1 million worth of business for a local destination management company during a three month period, exceeding goal by 400%; developing a strategic plan and marketing tactics that resulted in 10% increase in visitation to Salem, MA; increasing awareness of Hyatt Regency Boston among consumers and travel trade over a 12 month period, resulting in: 25% increase in hotel revenues; 7% increase in ADR; 127% increase in packages sold over the previous year; and $774,000 worth of free publicity in radio and print media; developing strategic partnerships which resulted in leveraging marketing budget dollars a spectacular 600% for the Massachusetts Port Authority; and planning and implementing all domestic and international advertising, sales promotions and public relations for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, generating a 500% growth in awareness over an 18 month period in the United Kingdom alone.
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Long recognized for her marketing expertise by the US Travel Association and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Pappas has garnered over 30 awards for advertising, public relations and community programs and speaks frequently at industry events, both nationally and internationally. Because of her expertise in the international market, since 2010 she has written the international column in Meeting Mentor Magazine, the official publication of Conference Direct. In this column, she teaches US based meeting planners how to do business internationally.
Pappas serves on the board of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Massachusetts Visitor Industry Council (MVIC), Meet Boston, and as member of the Advisory Commission on Travel & Tourism (ACTT). Previously, she has served on the board of the US Travel Association, MAASH (Massachusetts Advocacy for Arts, Sciences, and Humanities) and Skal, having been President of Skal Boston in 2011. She is a member of Skal, Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association, American Society of Association Executives, US Travel Association, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Lodging Association, Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Back Bay Association. Pappas has also served as Professor at the Boston University School of Hospitality, teaching Meetings & Events.