Tourism and CVB

See Regional Branding for samples and links to resources on community and regional branding.

Research & Whitepapers

DMOs as Divisions of CVBs, by Wendy Haase - a Final Paper for the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) requirements of Destinations International (July 2014)
Convention and Visitors Bureaus chapter from the ACCE Chamber Revenue Model Whitepaper - Entire Whitepaper also available here (December 2013)
Convention and Visitor Bureaus Organizational Models with Tennessee CVB Examples - Describes three different CVB organizational models: the CVB as a department within local government; the CVB as an independent agency; and the CVB as a chamber of commerce or other economic development agency function. (November 2012)

Articles & Blog Posts

Will Public Drinking Help Downtowns Thrive? - By Tim Hunter, Stateline.org (October 2016)
San Antonio CVB Takes Steps to Transition to Nonprofit - by Alex Beall, Associations Now (March 2016)
Virtual Reality: A New Reality for Meetings and Destinations - by Samantha Whitehorne, Associations Now (March 2016)
In the Land of the Pharaohs - by Chris Mead, Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2015)

Award-Winning Chamber Examples

Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce's (N.Y.) Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail Mobile App - 2016 ACE Grand Award
Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce's (Ga.) Savannah Hauntings Video Series - 2016 ACE Grand Award
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce's Website Redesign - 2016 ACE Award of Excellence
View more Award-Winning Tourism & CVB samples

Special Events/Initiative Samples

Every destination offers something unique that makes it a distinct location. When a destination successfully capitalizes on that niche, it differentiates itself in the consumer’s mind and paves the way for future successes.

Montana on the Mind -- In 2016-17, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureau (KCVB) found a way to capitalize on the opportunity to attract tourists and increase regional awareness and teamed up with United Airlines for direct flights from San Francisco to Glacier Park International Airport. KCVB launched a PR campaign titled "Montana on the Mind," which won an ACCE Award for Communications Excellence (ACE) in 2017.
Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament -- Early in 2013, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce (Fla.) began contact with B.A.S.S. to get on their radar for the 2014 Elite Series Tournament. Immediately after being invited to submit a proposal, the chamber presented the opportunity to community partners, soliciting buy-in and the manpower necessary to stage the event. The chamber also secured funding to produce the festivities surrounding the tournament. Combined with a concurrent biking event and coverage on ESPN2, the economic impact to the area was estimated at more than $3 million for the weeklong event.
“Southern Dozen” Greatest Motorcycle Rides -- The Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau (Tenn.), along with the local Harley Owners Group, created 12 motorcycle rides now known as the Southern Dozen to attract and cater to a demographic of visitors that had not always been widely accepted in the area and yet comprised one of the fastest-growing travel niches.

CVB Publications and Marketing Samples

Position Description Samples

Tourism & Retail Director - Cameron Area Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Director of Business Development & Tourism - Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce (Mass.)
Vice President and Director of Programs and Tourism - Helena Area Chamber of Commerce (Mont.)
Main Street and Tourism Manager - Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Convention Sales Manager - Longview Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Senior Vice President - Longview Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Tourism Services Director - Longview Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Vice President of Special Event Operations & Destination Services Manager - Longview Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Tourism Manager - Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce (Wis.)
See more Tourism & CVB-related position descriptions from ACCE's Samples Library

Planning Resources

Marketing Plan Samples

Visit Billings Marketing Plan and Budget 2017-18 - This comprehensive marketing plan for the Billings Chamber of Commerce (Mont.) includes strategic goals and objectives, a discussion of marketing methods, and a detailed budget.
Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)/CVB FY16 Marketing Budget - Presents the budget and marketing strategies for the Tourism Development Division of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce (Mont.)
Proposal for City of Glenwood Springs (2011) - This successful proposal to be the Destination Marketing and Visitor Information Center Vendor for the City of Glenwood Springs was submitted by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association (Colo.) to the city's Tourism Promotion Board.
See more Marketing Materials and Tourism & CVB-related marketing plans from ACCE's Samples Library

Programs of Work and Strategic Plan Samples

Defining Tomorrow Strategic Plan 2015-2020 - The Billings Chamber of Commerce's (Mont.) strategic plan outlines objectives for 2015-2020, including Tourism.
Program of Work (2014-2015) - Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau's (Calif.) program of work document includes the chamber's mission and vision statements; board of directors and staff rosters; and lists the mission, goals and plans for each of the chamber's divisions.
See more Programs of Work and Strategic Plans from ACCE's Samples Library

External Resources

Meeting Planners’ Site Inspection Guide (2014-2015 edition) - The ConventionSouth magazine guide includes several pages of checklists to organize site visit information.
Planning Green Meetings (2014) - This seven-page digital guide from ConventionSouth magazine offers simple ways to reduce your event’s carbon footprint.

Awards

The Pinnacle Awards are an annual honor given to meeting destinations, hotels, and conference centers. See the 2016 Convention and Visitors Bureau winners.

CVB Accreditation

Destinations International - Accreditation Program
West Virginia Accreditation program

CVB/Tourism Associations and Other Resources

Civitas - a firm that helps communities form, renew and modify improvement districts
Destinations International - Resources for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), also called convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) or tourism boards.
Destination Marketing Association of the West (DMA West)
Meetings Mean Business - Offers communications toolkits and advocacy resources.
Southeast Tourism Society
World Tourism Organization

State Associations of Convention and Visitors Bureaus

Florida: FACVB.org
Indiana: AICVB.org
Kentucky: KYCVB.com
Louisiana: DiscoverLouisiana.org
Missouri: MACVB.net
North Carolina: visitnc.com
Ohio: OACVB.org
Oklahoma: OTIA.info
Pennsylvania: patravelandtourism.org
Texas: TACVB.org
Virginia: VACVB.com
West Virginia: WVACVB.org

Webinars & ACCE U Resources

Tourism is Economic Development: Creating (Or Enhancing) Your Chamber's Tourism Program - ACCE Webinar with Nancy Millar, Vice President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce (Texas) (2015). Resources mentioned in the webinar: