Tourism and CVB

A convention and visitor bureau (CVB) is the local tourism marketing organization specializing in developing conventions, meetings, conferences and visits to a city, county or region (Source: Uniquely Texas - Glossary of Tourism Terms). Some chambers also serve as their community’s CVB. Those who do not often work with their local CVB on a regular basis promoting their community.

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 Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) (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)

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.

Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament -- Early in 2013, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce (FL) 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.
Foodtopian Society -- Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NC): The Asheville area is known for its volume of independently owned restaurants and local farms. The two entities frequently work together, resulting in a thriving food scene that is unique to the city. The Asheville CVB decided to capitalize on this by branding itself as the first Foodtopian Society. The Foodtopian Society embodies the best of Asheville’s food scene. It celebrates food that is naturally grown, artfully produced, and lovingly prepared within the community. The result is an identity that resonates with current travel trends and creates a prosperous environment for local restaurants, chefs, farmers, community citizens and visitors. The CVB capitalized on Foodtopia and introduced it to the travel community through an innovated, integrated campaign.
Heritage Trails -- Research from the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau (TX) shows that most visitors to Fort Worth are drawn by its western heritage, yet the city had not capitalized on this history. A task force that included the CVB aimed to use a permanent exhibit of historical signage in the downtown, accompanied by walking maps and information kiosks, to make Fort Worth the most memorable city in the U.S. by educating and entertaining Fort Worth residents and visitors.
“Southern Dozen” Greatest Motorcycle Rides -- The Johnson City (TN) Convention & Visitors Bureau, 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

Convention Meetings and Main Street Manager - Longview Chamber of Commerce (TX)
Tourism Manager - Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce (WI)
Vice President of Special Event Operations & Destination Services Manager - Longview Chamber of Commerce (TX)
Vice President and Director of Programs and Tourism - Helena Area Chamber of Commerce (MT)
See all CVB-related samples from ACCE's Samples Library

Planning Resources

Marketing Plan Samples

Billings Chamber/CVB (MT) Tourism Marketing Plan and Budget (2013) - This comprehensive marketing plan includes research findings, a discussion of marketing methods, strategic goals, 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 (MT).
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 (CO) to the city's Tourism Promotion Board.

Programs of Work and Strategic Plan Samples

Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce (MT) Program of Work (2014): This document includes clear directives and goals for each of its five divisions, which include Tourism Development.
Building North Myrtle Beach: A Five-Year Sustainable Growth & Prosperity Initiative for the North Myrtle Beach Community (2011): This prospectus explains the background and the five-year strategic growth plan devised for North Myrtle Beach (SC).
Santa Clara Chamber & CVB (CA) Program of Work (2014-2015): This 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.

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 2014 Convention and Visitors Bureau winners.

CVB Accreditation

Destination Marketing International - Accreditation Program
West Virginia Accreditation program

CVB/Tourism Associations and Other Resources

Destination Marketing Association International - Resources for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), also called convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) or tourism boards.
Meetings Mean Business - Offers communications toolkits and advocacy resources.
Southeast Tourism Society
Tourism Improvement District.com - a firm that helps communities form, renew and modify improvement districts
Western Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus
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 (TX). Resources mentioned in the webinar: