Greenbrier County, West Virginia

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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Lewisburg, WV (October 25, 2011) - The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has released its Annual Report for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year.

The year included a number of hallmark events from the opening of a regional Visitors Center to participating in The Greenbrier Classic to spearheading Lewisburg’s designation of America’s Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel magazine.

“Our goals and objectives each year are simple: reach more people, entice them to visit, persuade them to stay longer and spend more money in Greenbrier County,” said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the CVB. “We continue to communicate the opportunity of this region as a destination for overnight travel, but also for lucrative day trips as well. We promote every destination in this County so visitors appreciate the opportunity for a get-away to our region.”

The tourism industry continues to be a vital component of Greenbrier County’s economy. Annually, $181 million is spent by travelers. Additionally, nearly 2,000 people are employed by the industry which in turn generates nearly $80 million in payroll earnings.

Some of the highlights of the year include:

• Welcoming 33,162 Visitors to the Information Center.
• Distributing 228,800 brochures.
• Dispersing nearly $30,000 to Greenbrier County groups through the CVB Mini Grant Program.
• Securing Civil War Trails status for the Battle of Lewisburg making a total of three locations in the county part of the multi-state program (along with the  
• Alderson Ferry Crossing and Organ Cave).
• Receiving awards from the WV Public Relations Association, Southeast Tourism Society and the American Bus Association.

The CVB is presenting the Annual Report to city and town councils throughout the county during the months of October, November and December. Click here for a complete copy of the report.

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 (October 6, 2011) – The West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WVACVB), a statewide non-profit association representing more than 30 destination marketing organizations throughout West Virginia, elected Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Kara Dense as president during its August meeting.

“The tourism industry in West Virginia represents a $4 billion economic impact every year,” Dense said. “In Greenbrier County we understand very well the importance of tourism and to have the opportunity to represent this area and lead an important organization like the WVACVB is tremendous.”

With over 15 years experience in the travel industry, Dense has overseen several facets of the industry including tourism planning, development, sales and promotion. Since taking the reigns of the Greenbrier County CVB in February of 2007, Dense has implemented a number of new initiatives to further the CVB’s mission, including the launch of a new website and branding campaign, the renovation and grand opening of a $2 million regional Visitors Center and the facilitation of a marketing and public relations campaign that propelled Lewisburg to claim the title of Budget Travel magazine’s “America’s Coolest Small Town.”

Dense, a native of Rainelle, W.Va., and current resident of Lewisburg, W.Va., began her career in the hospitality and tourism industry at the State Fair of West Virginia. She is a graduate of Concord University and followed opportunity to Tennessee where she worked for various area attractions and destinations, including the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Center, before returning to West Virginia in 2007.

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About the West Virginia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus:
The West Virginia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus is a non-profit membership organization of Convention & Visitors Bureaus CEO’s whose mission is to serve as the advocate for its members through education and communication, while representing their legislative interests in our state.

Lewisburg, WV (September 22, 2011) – It’s been an amazing year for tourism in Greenbrier County and it was proven on Tuesday, September 13 when The Greenbrier and the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) were awarded three Stars of the Industry Awards at the 2011 WV Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

The Greenbrier received two awards, Best Print Article and Best Print Photography Layout, for the article, “The Greenbrier Resort Hopes to Preserve Its Past.” The article appeared in the August 12, 2010, issue of the New York Times.

“We were absolutely thrilled with this feature in the New York Times,” said Lynn Swann, Director of Public Relations for The Greenbrier. “The article, and especially the photos, captured The Greenbrier experience from afternoon tea to paintball. It was a wonderful showcase for the entire area.”

The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau was awarded Best Overall Marketing Campaign which is given to the organization that uses the most imaginative and innovative marketing. The campaign utilized a variety of marketing tactics, including a story-book theme that was woven into collateral materials like the Official Visitors Guide and in online, radio and print advertising; a consistent social media campaign using Facebook and Twitter, and a strong public relations component that included promoting Lewisburg as Budget Travel magazine’s America’s Coolest Small Town.

“It’s always an honor to be recognized by your peers,” said CVB Director, Kara Dense. “We feel as though we have an amazing product to promote – the Greenbrier Valley. To be able to do that and be recognized for it is an honor.”

The WV Division of Tourism hosts the Stars of the Industry Awards program annually for projects that have taken place between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. For more information about it and its recipients, please contact the CVB at 304-645-1000.

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Reception to Reveal September issue of Budget Travel magazine

August 17, 2011, Lewisburg, W.Va. – The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will welcome guests for a celebration of the City of Lewisburg’s title as America’s Coolest Small Town, as featured in next month’s issue of Budget Travel magazine, Tuesday, August 23 from 2PM to 6PM at the Greenbrier Valley Visitor’s Center, CVB officials announced today.

The celebration will kick off at 2PM with a special presentation and remarks. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase the commemorative issue of the magazine, limit three per person. Refreshments will be served and Vern’s Pot O’Chili will provide entertainment.

“We are ecstatic to unveil the September issue and the special “Coolest Small Town” section,” said Kara D. Dense, Executive Director. “This community worked since this time last year for this honor and we are thrilled to not only be number one but to receive such a unique honor for the City of Lewisburg.”

Winning over its competitors by nearly 11,000 votes, the Greenbrier County CVB petitioned the help of its city, state, and friends from across the country and world, embodying the true spirit of W.Va., and worked to ensure Lewisburg is in fact the coolest.

The public is welcome and invited to attend. For more information, please call the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center at 304-645-1000.

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The Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau is kicking off a Greenbrier Classic prize package giveaway. With a theme of “Time Travel,” participants are asked to share photos that bring back memories or a feeling of nostalgia about the Greenbrier Valley. Photos should give viewers a sense of time standing still.

To enter, participants must have a Facebook account and become a Fan of the Greenbrier Valley on our Facebook page. Post a photo by clicking on the “Photos” icon located beneath the status bar and then click on “Upload a Photo” to post it on the Greenbrier Valley Facebook page. Additionally, provide a brief description of the photo, including why it makes you nostalgic for the Greenbrier Valley. The photo will then be entered into the contest.

Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality and effectiveness conveying the “time travel” theme. A limit of three photos may be submitted per Facebook fan.

Two winners will be chosen by the Greenbrier County CVB on July 20th. Winners will receive gift baskets with items from the Greenbrier Valley, including two Greenbrier Classic Benefactor Badges per basket. Benefactor Badges provide tournament admittance for the entire week of July 25-31 along with access to special tournament hospitality tents, weekly parking and tickets to the Greenbrier Classic Concert Series (Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban and Black Eyed Peas).

If you’ve never been to the Greenbrier Valley, you can check out the photo submissions and see why our fans are nostalgic about the area. “Like” us on Facebook and tell us why you can’t wait to visit the Greenbrier Valley. Click here to become a fan.

Please note that lodging is not part of the package.