CVB
stands for Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is a nationally and
internationally recognized name for an organization that provides
promotional services for a region. As the name indicates, the
promotional services include conventions (professional and
organizational meetings) and visitors (individuals, families, and groups
traveling for leisure).
What
will the LGARCVB do, that is not already being accomplished by other
organizations, such as Warren County Tourism and local Chambers of
Commerce?
One
of the primary goals of the LGARCVB is to avoid duplication of effort
with local and regional promotional organizations. Therefore, the
LGARCVB will not attempt to put together advertising or promotional
campaigns that conflict with, or detract from, programs already being
offered. The LGARCVB will provide a direct sales force for the
region, capable of booking arrangements for all types of visitors.
Initial
funding for the LGARCVB has been provided by membership. Several
larger regional tourism related business have agreed to provide seed
money, in the form of larger than normal dues payments. The
LGARCVB will be looking for new members and be seeking a financial
contribution from Warren County.
The
Lake George/Adirondack Regional Tourism Board has been working for the
past six months on forming a CVB dedicated to promoting the region.
This effort has taken place independently of the effort in the Town and
Village of Lake George.
The
LGARCVB will act as an outside sales force for the Trade Center, as well
as for all of its other members. These include other facilities in
the region capable of handling groups, meeting and conventions of all
types, and facilities dedicated to individual and family visitors.
Building
a convention center is not part of the plans for the LGARCVB.
However, the LGARCVB has been in discussion with the Lake George Event
Center about including expansion plans in its design.
A
board of directors made up of regional tourism business professionals
and political leaders will oversee the LGARCVB. As a membership
organization, the members of the LGARCVB ultimately control who leads
the organization.
While
the LGARCVB will have a paid staff dedicated to promoting and selling
the region, membership participation will be essential for its long-term
success.
It
is our intention that every program initiated by the LGARCVB has a way
to be measured. Direct sales efforts will be measured based on the
resulting sales, other efforts will be measured by inquires or by direct
consumer surveys.
Owners
of tourism related businesses will see a direct benefit to membership in
the LGARCVB from increased exposure to regional, national and
international markets, and conventions, meeting and groups booked by the
LGARCVB. Those businesses not receiving direct bookings will see a
benefit from visitor displacement. Members will also be afforded
opportunities to increase their own presence in the market through
cooperative marketing opportunities, and by coordination their operating
schedule with incoming conferences, meetings and groups booked by the
LGARCVB.
Owners
of non-tourism related businesses and regional residents will see a
benefit to the formation of the LGARCVB through the increased visitation
it will bring to the region. This increased visitation will lead
to increased sales tax revenue, more employment opportunities, and
greater use of all products and services available in our region.
