What a Convention and Visitors Bureau Does

A Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a nonprofit organization funded by local hotels, restaurants, attractions, and sometimes city government to promote tourism in a specific city or region. Unlike a visitor center, which is a physical location where you walk in and ask questions, a CVB is the organization behind the scenes that markets the destination, recruits conferences and events, and coordinates tourism services across the area.

CVBs operate in most U.S. cities with significant tourism. They maintain websites with lodging and attraction listings, handle group travel inquiries, bid on conventions and sports events, and sometimes run the visitor center itself. When a large conference wants to hold its annual meeting in your city, the CVB is usually the first contact and the one negotiating hotel room blocks and venue availability.

The bureau's funding comes primarily from a hotel occupancy tax (also called a bed tax), which is a percentage added to hotel bills in that city. Some CVBs also receive sales tax revenue or direct city funding. This money goes toward marketing the destination, staffing the bureau, and sometimes maintaining visitor centers or tourism infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

  • Convention and Visitors Bureaus are nonprofit organizations that promote tourism in a specific city or region, funded mainly by hotel taxes.
  • They handle group travel inquiries, bid on conferences and events, and maintain tourism information online and sometimes at physical visitor centers.
  • You can contact a CVB directly for travel planning help, group rates, and information about events happening during your visit.
  • CVBs are different from visitor centers: the bureau is the organization, while the visitor center is often a physical office the bureau runs or partners with.

How to Find and Contact Your Local CVB

Most CVBs have a website with the city name and "convention and visitors bureau" or "tourism bureau" in the URL. Searching "[city name] CVB" or "[city name] tourism" will usually bring you to the official site. The website typically lists hotels, restaurants, attractions, events, and sometimes offers downloadable guides or maps.

You can also call the CVB directly during business hours. The phone number is usually on the website or in the visitor center if one exists in that city. Many CVBs have email addresses for specific questions: one for leisure travelers, one for group bookings, one for meeting planners, and sometimes one for sports event inquiries.

Some CVBs operate a visitor center as a physical location, while others partner with the city or a hotel to staff one. If you arrive in a city without knowing where to go, the visitor center (if it exists) is usually near the airport, downtown, or at a major hotel. The CVB's website will tell you the visitor center's hours and location.

What CVBs Offer Leisure Travelers

If you are planning a personal trip, a CVB can provide information about attractions, restaurants, hotels, and events happening during your travel dates. Many bureaus offer free printed guides, maps, and discount coupons that you can request by mail or read from their website. Some maintain event calendars showing festivals, concerts, sports games, and conferences scheduled weeks or months ahead.

CVBs do not book hotels or sell tickets directly, but they can tell you where to find those services and sometimes point you toward package deals or group rates. If you are traveling with a group of 10 or more people, the CVB's group travel department may be able to negotiate hotel room blocks or restaurant reservations on your behalf.

Many CVBs also maintain social media accounts and email newsletters with travel tips, seasonal events, and special promotions. Signing up for a newsletter can alert you to events or discounts you might not find otherwise.

How CVBs Support Group Travel and Conferences

When a company, association, or organization wants to host a conference, meeting, or large group trip, the CVB is often the first organization they contact. The bureau's group sales team works with the group's planner to identify available hotels, meeting spaces, restaurants, and activities that fit the group's budget and dates.

The CVB negotiates on behalf of the destination. They may find discounted hotel room rates, arrange group dining, coordinate transportation, and sometimes provide funding or incentives to bring the event to the city. For a conference expecting 500 attendees, the CVB's involvement can mean the difference between the group choosing that city or a competitor.

Groups planning a trip should contact the CVB's group sales department directly with details about group size, dates, budget, and interests. The CVB will then coordinate with hotels, attractions, and other vendors to put together options and pricing.

Funding and How Hotel Taxes Support Tourism

Most CVBs are funded by a hotel occupancy tax, a percentage added to the nightly hotel bill in that city. This tax varies by location but typically ranges from 6 percent to 15 percent of the room rate. The city collects this tax and distributes a portion to the CVB, which uses it to market the destination and support tourism infrastructure.

Some cities also dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to tourism promotion, or the city government provides direct funding. A few CVBs receive membership dues from local hotels and attractions that choose to join and support the bureau's work.

The logic behind hotel tax funding is that tourism benefits the entire local economy—hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions all profit when visitors come to the city. The tax on visitors helps pay for the marketing and coordination that brings those visitors in the first place.

CVBs Versus Visitor Centers and Tourism Websites

A Convention and Visitors Bureau is an organization. A visitor center is a physical location. A CVB may run a visitor center, partner with one, or not operate one at all. Some cities have visitor centers run by the city government or a hotel association instead of the CVB.

Many CVBs now focus on online services—websites, email, phone support—rather than maintaining a physical office. If a city has a visitor center, it is often staffed by CVB employees or volunteers, but the CVB itself is the larger organization doing marketing, event recruitment, and group sales behind the scenes.

Tourism websites run by cities or private companies may look similar to CVB websites, but they are not the same organization. A CVB is specifically a nonprofit dedicated to promoting tourism and recruiting events. A city tourism website might be run by the parks department or a marketing contractor. If you want official information and group support, the CVB is usually the right contact.

What Happens When a CVB Bids on a Major Event

When a national conference, sports championship, or festival is looking for a host city, multiple cities submit bids through their CVBs. The CVB researches whether the city has enough hotel rooms, meeting space, and attractions to handle the event, then prepares a proposal showing what the destination offers and sometimes what financial incentives the city will provide.

If the event is awarded to the city, the CVB coordinates with hotels, restaurants, transportation, and attractions to may support the event runs smoothly. The CVB may also help with marketing the event to potential attendees and managing logistics like parking, signage, and visitor information.

Large events can bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars in spending to a city. The CVB's role is to make sure the destination wins the bid and then delivers a positive experience that encourages visitors to return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a CVB book my hotel or buy my tickets?

No. CVBs provide information and recommendations but do not sell hotel rooms or event tickets directly. They can tell you where to book and sometimes point you toward discounted rates or packages, but you will book through the hotel or ticket vendor yourself.

Is there a charge to contact a CVB or use their services?

No. CVBs are nonprofit organizations funded by hotel taxes and other local sources. Information, recommendations, and group sales information are free. Printed guides and maps may be free or available for a small shipping fee if you request them by mail.

Do all cities have a CVB?

Most cities with significant tourism have a CVB or a similar tourism promotion organization. Very small towns may not have a dedicated bureau, but they often have a chamber of commerce or visitor information service that provides similar help. Searching "[city name] tourism" will tell you what exists in that location.

How far in advance should I contact a CVB for group travel planning?

For groups of 10 or more people, contact the CVB at least three to six months before your planned travel dates. This gives the group sales team time to negotiate rates with hotels and attractions and coordinate logistics. Last-minute group bookings are possible but may have fewer options and higher costs.

What is the difference between a CVB and a chamber of commerce?

A CVB focuses specifically on attracting visitors and tourism. A chamber of commerce represents local businesses and focuses on economic development, business networking, and local advocacy. Some cities have both organizations; some combine them into one. The CVB is the right contact for tourism information and group travel planning.