What is Longview CVB?

While many are aware of the existence of CVB/DMOs, often the full range of services that a CVB/DMO like Longview CVB has to offer is not realized.

Most CVB/DMOs are not-for-profit organizations representing a specific destination. Most in Texas are not membership organizations and their program of work is funded from local hotel occupancy tax. 

Among its many areas of expertise, a CVB/DMO:

• Encourages groups to hold meetings in the city
• Assists groups with meeting preparations
• Provides promotional materials to encourage attendance
• Establishes room blocks for hotels

Most importantly for you, LCVB serves as the official point of contact for convention and meeting planners. Meeting professionals have access to a range of services and value-added extras through LCVB.

Some common misconceptions about what CVB/DMOs do.

Misconception #1:
CVB/DMOs solely book hotel rooms and convention space.

Fact:
CVB/DMOs represent the gamut of visitor-related businesses, from restaurants and retail to rental cars and racetracks. Therefore, they are responsible for introducing planners to a full range of meeting-related products and services the city has to offer. Basically, they match needs to a city's resources.

Misconception #2:
CVB/DMOs only work with large groups.

Fact:
More than half of all meetings involve less than 200 people.  LCVB specializes in smaller meetings and consider them just as important to as larger ones. 

Misconception #3:
Bureaus own and/or run the convention center.

Fact:
Only five percent of CVB/DMOs run the convention center in their location. Longview's Maude Cobb Center is run by the City of Longivew. Nevertheless, LCVB and the staff of Maude Cobb work closely together and can assist planners in getting what they need in facilities, lodging and other services.

Misconception #4:
Planners have to pay CVB/DMOs for their services.

Fact:
In truth, the services provided by LCVB are free.   Michael Gehrisch, president of the Destination Marketing Association International, points out, "Convention bureaus are both a hotel's and a meeting planner's best friend. They don't charge either one, but book business for the hotel without a fee and provide the same service, for free, to planners."  The exception would be when direct costs are incurred to secure from third parties such as motorcoach rental or exhibition set up. 

Some may question the need to work through or with LCVB when planning a meeting, particularly in cases where the bulk of an event takes place at one hotel or at the convention center. LCVB can help you work with those entities and can help fill out the convention schedule with off-site activities (including spouse tours and pre and post-conference tours). An objective resource, LCVB can direct planners to products and services that will work best to accommodate their needs and budgets. In summary, LCVB acts as a mediator, matching meeting needs to the products, services, and speakers available in a community.