» Member Overview / Benefits

WHAT IS THE TALLAHASSEE AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU?

The Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (TACVB) is a non profit organization whose primary goal is to increase economic development through tourism. Coupled with the Leon County Tourist Development Council, the TACVB promotes Tallahassee and the Capital Region to a vital, proliferating market -- tourism. The Bureau's primary focus is to attract group business such as conventions, motor coach groups and athletic events, as well as individual visitors and provide exemplary visitor services.  The TACVB is also a membership organization.  Membership consists of hospitality-industry and customer-service professionals.  TACVB turns to members to provide the array of goods and services necessary to meet the needs of group and individual visitors. What do satisfied TACVB members have to say?

IS TOURISM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

A resounding YES!  Each year, more than 2.5 million travelers visit our area.  In Leon County alone this represents an economic impact of $850million, with a total economic impact reaching nearly $2 billion as money circulates through the community.  Additionally, visitor spending creates direct and indirect wages, accounting for about one in 10 jobs in Leon County -- making tourism the third largest "employer" in Leon County and a critical component of our economic base.

HOW DOES THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU WORK?

The TACVB implements direct sales activities targeted at attracting specific markets:

• CONVENTION SALES -- Targets mid- to- large convention groups from the social, military, educational, religious, fraternal, association and government sectors.  Also markets the area to state, national and international corporate meeting planners.
• TOUR & TRAVEL -- Targets tour operators, travel agents, senior- and school-group planners.  Markets the area as a "stop-over" or "extended-stay" destination for domestic and international "FIT" (individual travelers) and motorcoach groups. 
• TALLAHASSEE SPORTS COUNCIL -- Targets state/regional/national/international athletic competitions/events through national governing bodies.  Geared to secure major athletic events during summer "valley" period.

Additional Sales activities include national/regional trade show participation along with strategic advertising/PR programs resulting in increased interest from travel writers/photographers, meeting planners, event coordinators/site selectors.

Group & Visitor Services -- Sales efforts are supported/enhanced by offering incentives for groups and visitors when selecting a city for hosting their event; services range from coordinating travel and accommodations to itinerary development -- always pairing TACVB members with incoming groups!

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

The TACVB offers the following membership benefits at little or no additional cost to members. TACVB membership dues remain nominal to encourage diversity and longevity.

VISITOR CENTER EXPOSURE

Only TACVB members can display/distribute materials from this high-profile, full-service visitor information center located downtown at 106 East Jefferson Street.  TACVB also operates the visitor information booth at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, another high-profile location.

FREE VISITOR'S GUIDE LISTING

Only TACVB members are featured in this high-quality, magazine-style publication.  Published twice a year, 150,000 guides are distributed annually to universities, regional chambers of commerce, relocation packets, shopping malls, legislators, event registration packets and corporate recruiting packets.  TheVisitor's Guide is the #1 resource for meeting- and event-planners, tour operators, site selectors and hotel guests.

BUSINESS "LEADS"

TACVB members are provided first opportunity to provide goods/services to visiting groups such as conventions, motorcoach groups and athletic events through monthly business leads. 

TRADE SHOW & ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATION

TACVB members have regular opportunities to promote their product/service at regional, national and international trade shows & conferences AND receive business leads as a result of TACVB's affiliations with associations!

NETWORKING

TACVB coordinates a variety of programs, seminars and socials to provide business exchange and professional development opportunities.  Programs include an annual Member Trade Show, quarterly Hospitality Round Table [HRT] and Member Mixers, among others, to bring together industry professionals such as service providers, retailers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, universities, Realtors, bankers -- together!

PUBLIC RELATIONS & ADVERTISING

TACVB members are featured in regional/national/international newspapers and trade magazines as a result of hosting familiarization or "fam" tours for travel writers and photographers, tour operators and other media.  Additionally, TACVB advertising and marketing efforts are a direct reflection of TACVB members. Click here to view "Members Making News" ...Publicity as a result of the TACVB public relations effort. It's worth being a Member!"

MEMBERSHIP DECAL

The TACVB membership decal identifies YOUR business as an industry partner and a key partner in local economic development. 

Plus .....  

• "Take Action" Monthly Member Newsletter  
• TACVB Annual Marketing Plan & Annual Report  
• Market Research/Data 
• FREE Internet Representation
• Representation in publications including Shopping and Dining Guides, Meeting Planner's Guide and Calendar of Events (where applicable)