What is a Convention & Visitors Bureau?
A convention & visitors bureau is a “destination marketing” organization. Both in Ohio, and nationally, most convention & visitors bureaus are not-for-profit organizations that work independently under the auspices of a board of trustees. The fundamental mission of a convention & visitors bureau is the promotion of visitor and business travel, which generates overnight lodging for a destination. Convention & visitors bureaus are the most important tourism marketing organizations in the State of Ohio. They are directly responsible for travel and tourism “product awareness” to visitors. Billions of direct and indirect revenue and taxes are generated into the state and local economy due to the prevailing marketing expertise of Ohio’s convention & visitors bureaus.
How is a Convention & Visitors Bureau Funded?
The primary funding source is usually derived from a tax (transient lodging tax) that a hotel guest pays on lodging in the community of the convention & visitors bureau. In some communities, the convention & visitors bureau also offers a membership program to enhance its revenue. Because bureau funding is directly linked to how many hotel rooms there are in a community, budget sizes vary greatly. The underlying mission, however, remains the same - destination marketing.
How Does a Convention & Visitors Bureau Work?
A convention & visitors bureau’s marketing initiatives typically are achieved through some or all of the following: trade associations, marketplaces, advertising, distribution of promotional and collateral material, direct sales, hosting familiarization tours and other hospitality functions. The target decision maker of the marketing initiative is not typically a resident in the community. Most often, if the visitor is going to spend the night in a hotel, they are from at least 100 miles away. Therefore, the marketing activity usually takes place or is directed outside the convention & visitors bureau’s community.
Services
The Springfield area invites you to take advantage of the many services available to you through our office. Additionally, we can put you in touch with other local service suppliers, saving you time and money.
Our staff is ready and willing to help you make your Springfield experience a great one. We love meeting people! The Springfield Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is here for you FREE OF CHARGE!
SERVICES AND INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SPRINGFIELD AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
Don't find a service you need? Just ask us! The Springfield Area Convention & Visitors Bureau caters to individual needs.
