Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Lewisburg, WV (May 14, 2012) – The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau recognized two businesses and two individuals for their significant contributions to the tourism industry on Thursday May 10 at the annual Spirit of Tourism Awards Reception.

The Greenbrier County Ambassador Award was presented to the team of Smooth Ambler Spirits for their extraordinary efforts in promoting their products and the Greenbrier Valley. In just a few short years in the business, Smooth Ambler Spirits has created some of the finest gin, vodka, whiskey and bourbon found anywhere – and they’ve won numerous awards for doing so. They’ve quickly made a name for themselves and become one of the most popular attractions in Greenbrier County.

The Hometown Hero Award was presented to The Greenbrier Classic for securing an event that has lead to a significant economic impact on the area. The PGA TOUR FedExCup event has drawn over 200,000 fans to the Greenbrier Valley annually with an estimated economic impact of $111 million dollars.  The event has put the area on the national and international stage with four days of televised broadcasts of the tournament with announcers who rave about The Greenbrier and the beautiful Greenbrier Valley.  The tournament was awarded “Best in Class Tournament on the PGA TOUR” by the PGA TOUR itself in 2011.  In just two short years, the tournament has not only made its mark on the area, but on the golfing community as well.

The Greenbrier Award was presented to Brianne Jackson, Executive Director of the Greenbrier Historical Society (GHS), for her exceptional contributions toward the growth and development of the tourism industry. In her short tenure at GHS, Bri has raised the profile of the organization by proactively establishing new activities and achieving wide publicity for them. 

The Friend of Tourism Award was presented to Lewisburg resident Larry Davis for his outstanding work in promoting the tourism industry by partnering with the CVB. Larry, an experienced Step-On Guide, has partnered with the CVB over the past year to help develop and implement a standardized Step-On Guide program. Step-On Guides offer an important service to tourists who are interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of their destination. Additionally, Larry is instrumental in a number of other events around the county, including White Sulphur Spring’s Freshwater Folk Festival, Ronceverte’s Riders of the Flood Outdoor Drama and Lewisburg’s annual Martin Luther King Day Parade and the First Day International Festival.

The Spirit of Tourism Awards were designed in 2006 to honor Greenbrier County residents who have made a significant impact on the tourism industry in the areas of tourism development, volunteerism, securing a convention or meeting to our area and excelling at partnering with the CVB. The winners were nominated by their peers in the tourism industry, with the exception of the Friend of Tourism award, which was selected by the CVB staff.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually making an economic impact of more than $181 million.

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Lewisburg, WV (April 24, 2012) – The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is hosting two Hospitality Training Sessions, “The Basics of Achieving FiveStar Customer Service Excellence” and “How to Win Customers and Keep Them Coming Back” on Wednesday, May 16 at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center.

The workshops will be facilitated by Rita Suiter, owner and founder of Valdosta, Georgia-based Five Star Customer Service Strategies. Suiter’s workshops offer an interactive, educational and motivational approach to customer service training. With more than twenty years’ experience in the industry, Suiter draws from prior positions in the tourism field as well as positions as a customer service coach in the private sector.

“Rita is a dynamic presenter,” said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the Greenbrier County CVB. “Anyone who attends a session will walk away with a fresh perspective on customer service. Because interacting with the public is something that many of us do on a daily basis, these training sessions are suitable to everyone – not just the tourism industry.”

The morning session, “The Basics of Achieving FiveStar Customer Service Excellence,” is scheduled from 9:00am-11:30am, with registration from 8:30am-9:00am. Program highlights include Key Customer Expectations, Basic Responsibilities of a Service Provider and FiveStar vs. 4-Star Service.

The afternoon session, “How to Win Customers and Keep Them Coming Back,” is scheduled from 1:30pm-4:00pm, with registration from 1:00pm-1:30pm. Highlights for this program include Worst and Best Practices of Customer Service and Lessons from Service Giants.

Workshops are open to the public. Cost is $15 per person per session or $20 per person if attending both sessions. For more information or to register, please contact the CVB by phone at 304-645-1000 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.

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Rita Suiter, CVB workshop facilitator

Lewisburg, WV (April 18, 2012) – Three local restaurants, Bella Casa, The Mason Jar and Stardust Café, were recently recognized in the West Virginia Division of Tourism’s 101 Unique Places to Dine contest.

“With over seventy dining options in the Greenbrier Valley, we are thrilled that these three have been recognized by the public,” said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This area is such a culinary delight, it is a joy to be recognized for it.”

Located in downtown Lewisburg, Bella Casa marries old-world charm with new-world inspired cuisine and offers an excellent menu of Italian dishes, steaks, seafood and chops all in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. You can enjoy a meal inside the circa 1785 historic house or outside on the patio.

Another downtown Lewisburg location, Stardust Café, is known for their fresh quality ingredients with a Mediterranean flair. Stardust offers fine wines and food, including all-natural steaks, seafood, salads and homemade pastries.

White Sulphur Springs’ Mason Jar is a full-service, family-owned restaurant that serves a variety of home-cooked specials, including hand-cut steaks and seafood. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming.

101 Unique Places to Dine is a joint effort between the West Virginia Division of Tourism, Collaborative for the 21st Century Appalachia and the state Department of Agriculture that identifies the best eateries across the state of West Virginia. The public was encouraged to vote for their local favorites earlier this year. The complete list can be found at http://www.wvtourism.com/101uniquedining.

Bella Casa
208 W. Washington Street, Lewisburg
304-645-2272

The Mason Jar
62 East Main Street, White Sulphur Springs
304-536-5001

Stardust Café
102 East Washington Street, Lewisburg
304-647-3663

For more information, please contact the Greenbrier County CVB at 304-645-1000.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.

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Lewisburg, WV (April 3, 2012) The Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Spirit of Tourism Awards. This program is designed to honor the individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy contributions to Greenbrier County’s tourism industry from January 2011 to February 2012.

The Spirit of Tourism Awards Program includes the following honors:

The Greenbrier Award is presented to an individual, local public official, organization or business that has made exceptional contributions towards the growth and development of the tourism industry. 

The Greenbrier County Ambassador Award is presented to an individual or volunteer who has assisted in helping the tourism businesses or community in exceptional ways. This person will have exceeded their day-to-day job description and/or gone above the call of duty to assist the tourism industry. Preference will be given to those whose service has touched more than one particular organization or business. 

The Hometown Hero Award is presented to an individual, group or business that has assisted in securing a convention or meeting to our destination that has lead to a significant economic impact for the area.

The Friend of Tourism Award is presented to an individual, business or organization that has done outstanding work in promoting the tourism industry by partnering with the CVB. 

Nominations must be received by Thursday, April 26 and awards will be presented at a special reception on Thursday, May 10. To nominate someone for the Spirit of Tourism Awards, simply send a one-page, type-written letter describing why he/she is deserving of this honor to:

Greenbrier County CVB
Spirit of Tourism Awards
Post Office Box 1107
Lewisburg, WV 24901

This event will be one of several activities that the CVB is coordinating during National Tourism Week: May 5-13, 2012.

For additional information about the Spirit of Tourism Awards, call the CVB at 304-645-1000.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually making an economic impact of more than $181 million.
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Lewisburg, WV (March 12, 2012) – Funds totaling more than $16,000 were recently awarded to thirteen area organizations for tourism marketing through the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) Cooperative Advertising Grant Program.

Since July of 2002, the Greenbrier County CVB has reached a pinnacle in helping groups and organizations market their events. Since that time, the CVB has funded more than $293,000 in direct marketing grants to many of the county’s fairs, festivals, and non-profit organizations.

One such recipient is the Lewisburg Downtown Business Association for their promotion of the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival scheduled for Saturday, April 14th. Grant dollars for that event target newspaper ads in the Roanoke and Charleston markets – components of a marketing plan intended to increase event attendance and visitation to the area. With an estimated attendance of 5,000, event-goers will have the opportunity to experience Greenbrier County’s unique shops, restaurants, lodging properties and attractions. Event tickets are on sale now and available at the Visitors Center, among other locations throughout Lewisburg.

Applications for the CVB’s mini grants are reviewed by the organization’s Grants and Research Committee twice each year, in January and July. The next deadline is Friday, July 6, 2012. 

The recipients from the January application period include:  Battle of Lewisburg Heritage Committee, Carnegie Hall, Friends of the Lower Greenbrier River, Friends of the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery, Gateway Industries, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Lewisburg Home and Garden Club, Lewisburg Chocolate Festival, Lewisburg Downtown Business Association, Lewisburg Educational Alliance, Lewisburg Literary Festival, Main Street White Sulphur Springs and Williamsburg Community Action Group,

For more information about the CVB’s Cooperative Advertising Grant Program, call 304-645-1000.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.
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Lewisburg, WV (January 11, 2012) - The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is seeking part-time volunteers to assist in its Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center located in downtown Lewisburg. If you have broad knowledge of the region, including Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Monroe, and Summers Counties and enjoy talking to the public, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Duties include greeting visitors and assisting with directions and information about the four-county area. Additionally, volunteers should be familiar with and restock brochures on a daily basis, answer phones and direct calls, and assist in preparing bulk mailings.

Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of one 8-hour or two 4-hour shifts per month.

The CVB is located at 200 W. Washington Street, Lewisburg. For more information, please contact Mary Cole Deitz, Visitors Center Manager, at 304-645-1000. Click here for a complete job description.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.
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Lewisburg, WV (December 8, 2011) – The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) invites the public to attend the unveiling of the video, Welcome to the Greenbrier Valley, on Tuesday, December 13th at 10am.

The twelve-minute video showcases the beauty of the Greenbrier Valley. From attractions, to fairs and festivals, to activities, to The Greenbrier, more than 120 locations throughout the County are included. Nearly 200 locals participated in the project acting as models or providing voiceovers. Additionally, local musicians provided the music, including The Dueling Fiddlers, The Jarmovers, The Wild Rumpus, Patrick O’Flaherty and Leah Trent.

“The Greenbrier Valley has always been known as a getaway destination thanks to The Greenbrier,” said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the CVB. “Now with The Greenbrier Classic and Lewisburg’s win as America’s Coolest Small Town, our exposure is increasing in new markets like never before. This video is the perfect tool for showcasing the Greenbrier Valley as a premier tourist destination.”

The video project is the first of its kind for the CVB. Realizing the need to have a way to better communicate the beauty of the area, the CVB wanted to create a piece to serve multiple purposes. Portions of the video will be featured on the CVB website, used for future commercials and distributed to travel writers and group tour planners.

The 7-month project was directed and produced by local videographers, Russell Williams and Annamarie Visclosky.

The event will take place at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center located at 200 West Washington Street, Lewisburg. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the CVB at 304-645-1000.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.

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Lewisburg, WV (December 1, 2011) – The Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau announces a deadline of Friday, January 6, 2012, to receive applications for the Cooperative Advertising Grant Program.

The Mini Grant Program is an excellent source of marketing dollars for groups promoting tourism-related events and activities within Greenbrier County. Since the program’s inception in July 2002, the CVB has provided more than $276,000 toward the marketing efforts of a variety of events and attractions including Riders of the Flood Outdoor Drama, Freshwater Folk Festival, White Sulphur Springs Dandelion Festival and Taste of Our Towns Festival.

Funding is available in the form of mini grants to groups (two or more businesses), organizations and nonprofits operating in Greenbrier County. Requests can be made up to $2,000 and must be used to reach people outside of a 50-mile radius.

For those needing assistance with the completion of their application, or to find out more about the program, a workshop has been slated for Tuesday, December 20 at noon at the CVB.

Applications for the CVB’s mini grants are reviewed by the organization’s Marketing Committee twice each year, in January and July. Grant applicants are asked to attend a mandatory review meeting on Tuesday, January 17 at 9:00am at the CVB office located at 200 West Washington Street in downtown Lewisburg.

The application has been revised for 2012. For a copy of the application and a complete list of rules and regulations, click here. For additional information or questions, contact Rachael Stebbins, Director of Marketing & Communications at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 304-645-1000.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.

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Lewisburg, WV (November 7, 2011) – The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is excited to announce the launch of a mobile website: http://www.GreenbrierWV.mobi.

“With over 30% of all internet traffic coming from a mobile device, we felt it imperative that we make our website user-friendly for this audience,” said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the CVB. “The mobile site includes all of the features of our regular site, but with easier navigation tools.”

The mobile site includes:

• Six main icons: Sleep, Events, Explore, Eat, Packages and News that link to detailed listings.
• What’s Nearby: This feature utilizes the phone’s GPS services to find the closest locations to where the user is standing.
• Social media icons: The icons allow easy access to the CVB’s Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare pages.
• Advanced search option: This icon allows the user to search all site content.
• View Full Site: This icon allows the user to view the regular site: http://www.GreenbrierWV.com.

“We are anxious to begin tracking the use of the site,” said Dense. “Studies show that businesses that use a mobile site capture an additional 13% of all web traffic. We are already pleased with the number of hits that our regular site receives on a monthly basis. Add to that the mobile site, and we look for those hits to increase over the next year.” Currently, the CVB’s website averages over 115,000 unique visitors a year.

The mobile site can be accessed by entering http://www.GreenbrierWV.com or http://www.GreenbrierWV.mobi into the web browser. Users will be automatically directed to the mobile site.

The mobile site was created by mobiManage, an Arizona-based company that specializes in mobile web and application services. The project was partially funded by the West Virginia Division of Tourism’s Matching Advertising Partnership Program.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually making an economic impact of more than $181 million.

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Lewisburg, WV (November 3, 2011) – The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival and the West Virginia Dandelion Festival were recently selected by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) as two of the Top 20 Events for Spring 2012. Both events have previously received this distinction.

The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival is set for Saturday, April 14, 2012. This popular event continues to grow in attendance and stature, offering the attendee a wide variety of activities from a tasting extravaganza to chef demonstrations to a mousse-eating contest.

White Sulphur Springs hosts the West Virginia Dandelion Festival during Memorial Day weekend, May 24-28, 2012. This event is a unique salute to the dandelion and includes art shows, live music, kid’s activities, fireworks and a parade. Both events offer a family-friendly atmosphere and entertainment for all ages.

“We are excited that these events have once again earned Top 20 status,” said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “By being named to the STS Top 20 Events list, it gives the event a distinction that can be used in their marketing efforts. It can also help to draw more media attention and entice visitors from all over the Southeast.”
 
The Top 20 Events list began in 1985 as a way to promote the best events in the Southeast. Nominations must be received by STS members and the two events were nominated by the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau in early October. 

The Top 20 Events publication is sent to over 1,600 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others. The combined circulation runs into the millions.

Founded in 1983, Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism to its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel-related organizations. Its headquarters are in Atlanta.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.
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