It is Convention and Visitors Bureaus that truly know the attractions, activities and events in their areas of our state, and can do the best job of advertising and marketing those local and regional assets. However, the creation of additional CVBs in areas that are already served by an established organization may have the effect of diluting the limited resources available, creating a duplication of overhead, administrative and personnel costs, with the result being that fewer actual dollars are spent on the primary mission of advertising and marketing.
CVBs adhere to the best practices and industry standards, as exemplified by our accreditation process and coordinate with dedicated leaders in our community such as local chambers, economic development offices, art and historic organizations and downtown main street merchant organizations. The "WVACVB" meets throughout the year, with an open annual meeting.
Convention and Visitors Bureaus are independent non-profit destination marketing organizations created under state code and funded by a percentage of the lodging tax collected in accordance with that code. We represent 36 counties and 64 municipalities and are proud to work with our partners and the West Virginia Department of Tourism to build a better economic future for our communities and for our state.
Why are CVBs important:
CVBs are frontline tourism professionals who are experts on the attractions, activities and events in our respective areas. With 38 members in the WVACVB, the organization dedicates more than $8 million to marketing and promoting West Virginia destinations annually. CVBs, from all over the Mountain State, support 4,000 lodging partners as well as arts and culture, outdoor recreation, dining and shopping and much more.
Our association believes that CVBs have a responsibility to be good stewards of the funds that we receive through lodging tax revenue and to use those funds effectively to accomplish the goal of increasing tourism. Our association oversees an accreditation program designed to help CVBs achieve that goal through the establishment of best practices and adherence to industry standards. The vast majority of our CVBs are currently accredited, with several more who are on the track to accreditation.
It is the position of the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus that all CVBs follow West Virginia Code Chapter 7, Article 18 regarding Hotel Occupancy Tax and as a general principle, having the fewest practicable number of CVB’s per county leads to a more efficient and effective use of financial resources.
