Greenbrier County CVB Awards Funding to 13 Local Organizations for Tourism Marketing

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.