CVB reports marketing wins, accreditation and grant support for local events

Mark Jordan, representing the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, briefed the board on tourism-marketing work supported by hotel/motel tax dollars. Jordan said the CVB recently completed accreditation with high scores, distributed approximately $142,000 in grants this year to local events and organizations, and increased digital marketing reach (reporting a multi-million impression campaign tied to transit and airport advertising).

Jordan also described partnership activity with neighboring jurisdictions and the state tourism office and said the CVB is exploring a West Virginia tourism "swing" marker for a panoramic site in Berkeley County (discussions about location, accessibility and siting restrictions were raised). He reported the CVB holds reserve funds (reported as $430,000 in transcript remarks) and noted that while grants and marketing are priorities, state rules direct much of the CVB’s spending toward attracting visitors within a 50-mile marketing radius.

Commissioners asked about the CVB’s reserve level, percentage of revenue, the hotel/motel tax split with the city and the county, and coordination with Main Street and other local festivals; no formal budget action was taken at this meeting.