Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau

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The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) was established in 1979 to promote tourism in the community. Its operations are funded through a percentage of local lodging taxes. The bureau operates out of offices in the Downtown Transit Center.

The group's board of directors was realigned in 2018 to provide direct representation by elected officials in Albemarle and Charlottesvile. [1] That was altered further in the winter of 2022.


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Governance and mission

The mission of the CACVB is "to enhance the economic prosperity of City and County by promoting, selling and marketing the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle as a destination, in pursuit of the meetings and tourism markets."

Since 2018, Albemarle County has served as the bureau's fiscal agent, meaning that the bureau must operate under the county's procurement rules. From 2004 until 2018, the city served as the fiscal agent.

Board of Directors

History

Formation

The CACVB was formed in 1979. [2]

1989 agreement

In 1989, Albemarle and Charlottesville adopted a joint exercise of powers agreement that funded the CACVB on an annual basis based on a formula related to local sales and lodging taxes. A Management Committee consisted of the Charlottesville City Manager, the Albemarle County Executive, and the President of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition, a 15-person Tourism Council appointed by the Management Committee served in an advisory role to the CACVB executive director. [2]

2004 realignment

A new agreement was created following a strategic planning process that began in November 2002. Under this arrangement, the Tourism Council was to be eliminated and the Management Committee was increased to eleven members with representatives from the tourism industry. The CACVB was to receive 30 percent of the transient occupancy taxes. In exchange, they had to establish performance metrics for how the funds were used. Albemarle Supervisor Ken Boyd was to serve liaison. City Council adopted the agreement on May 3, 2004. The Board of Supervisors approved it on May 5, 2004. The changes went to effect on July 1, 2004. [2]

Kurt Burkhart served as the executive director until May 2018. [3]

In 2010, the CACVB began a campaign called Stay Local, Play Local to encourage area residents to spend recreation time within the community. [4][dead link]

Fund balance controversy

In the fall of 2011, it came to the attention of city and county officials that the bureau had accrued a fund balance in excess of $750,000. They argued that the agency should not have a balance higher than 15% to 20% of its annual budget and asked for a portion of it back. Bureau staff, backed by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, pleaded at the December 7, 2011 meeting of the Board of Supervisors to be allowed to develop a plan to spend down the balance. [5][6]

The Board of Supervisors approved a plan for the fund balance to be used to pay for a new marketing plan put together by Payne, Ross and Associates. [7]

In 2013, the new branding plan was presented to the public. [8]

2018 realignment

In 2017, the City Council and Board of Supervisors sent a letter stating the bodies wanted seats on the board and a new executive committee. [9]

The new board met for the first time in September 2018. Adam Healey was the interim CEO. [10]


Locations

Downtown Transit Center

The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau formerly rented space in the center for a visitors kiosk and administrative space. They pay Charlottesville Area Transit an annual lease of $4,872 for the kiosk and $31,896 for office space. [11]. The lease expired and the CACVB is now operating outreach services from a pair of vans. [citation needed]

Albemarle County Office Building

The bureau also operates a kiosk in the Albemarle County Office Building.

Mobile information units

In response to COVID-19, the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau decided to close both the Downtown Mall and Crozet locations and create two mobile units.[12]

Board presentations

References

  1. Web. Interim CACVB chief suggests big spending increase to combat disappointing tourism figures, Allison Wrabel, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, September 22, 2018, retrieved October 4, 2018.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Web. County of Albemarle, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Minutes, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Albemarle County, May 5, 2004, retrieved April 27, 2021.
  3. Web. Regional Tourism Director Announces Retirement, Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, March 28, 2018, retrieved April 9, 2018.
  4. Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau. Web. 21 June 2010. <http://www.mybackyardvacation.org/>
  5. Web. County votes to issue request for proposals on Crozet Library, Aaron Richardson, Daily Progress, Media General, December 7, 2011, retrieved December 8, 2011.
  6. Web. Visitors Bureau presents spending plan to Albemarle, Aaron Richardson, Daily Progress, Media General, 1/4/2012, retrieved 1/8/2019.
  7. Web. Albemarle board approves new tourism plan, Aaron Richardson, Daily Progress, Media General, 7/11/2012, retrieved 1/8/2019.
  8. Web. Visitors bureau launches new tourism brand, Nate Delesline III, Daily Progress, Media General, 2/27/2013, retrieved 1/8/2019.
  9. Web. In letter, supervisors, council seek to control over CACVB, Allison Wrabel, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 11/22/2017, retrieved 1/7/2019.
  10. Web. Amid changes, local tourism board names interim executive director, Allison Wrabel, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 7/21/2018, retrieved 1/7/2019.
  11. City of Charlottesville. Office of the Attorney. Lease Agreements with CACVB - Transit Center. By Richard M. Harris. Vol. City Council. June 21, 2010 Consent Agenda. Web. 21 June 2010. <http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/docs/20100621-CACVB-Transit-Lease.pdf>.
  12. Web. Charlottesville and Albemarle Co. visitor centers now on wheels, December 11, 2020 at 3:23 PM EST - Updated December 13 at 8:56 PM, retrieved January 6, 2021.

External links

Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau website