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2 | TACVB
The Texas Association of Convention and
person. “We help our members take what
Visitor Bureaus (TACVB) supports and
they have and make it better.”
helps develop the convention and tourism
industry in Texas through education and the
as CVB’s, eight Oklahoma CVB’s, and two
sharing of ideas. They encourage co-opera-
Louisiana CVB’s. They also represent 50
tive action among Texas convention and visi-
affiliate members that are considered to be
tor bureaus in order to grow the convention
suppliers, for a total of approximately 620
and visitor bureau industry in Texas.
individuals.
TACVB was founded in July 1972 by
TACVB currently represents 172 Tex-
Directors that felt it was time for their own
SEMINARS AND
CONFERENCES
association. Since then, the association has
TACVB provides members with a wide-
expanded greatly and is now the largest state
range of opportunities for information and
association of CVB’s in the United States
involvement. Snyder describes their mission
– according to current Executive Director
as “training and developing CVB profession-
Bridgette Snyder.
als,” which they do in a variety of ways. They
“The association helps our members
provide quality education programs, includ-
find new ways of marketing, find new ways
ing seminars and conferences, they devise
of doing things, and discover new markets,”
creative destination marketing strategies to
says Snyder, who first joined the TACVB in
stimulate and motivate their members’ sales
1996 as a member and Committee Chair-
teams, and they conduct industry trend anal-
a group of convention and visitor bureau
TACVB | 3
2012 Mid Winter Conferene Laredo TX
yses to help their members make smarter de-
technology, and “tools to meet the chang-
cisions.
ing demands of planners and tourists to our
Members also receive support through
great state of Texas.” Members also receive
various networking events, including the as-
education through various LISTSERV’s and
sociation’s two conferences – the Annual
online resources that allow them to access
Conference event in August and the Mid-
key information – such as past conferences
Winter Education Conference later this
and presentations, for example.
month. In the future, the association’s event
support will only grow. “Next year we’re in-
nication open for peer-to-peer networking,
troducing two one-day seminars – one in the
and sometimes we get just as much educa-
spring and one in the fall – and it’s a funda-
tion talking to one another as we do going to
mental seminar for those just coming into
listen to a paid speaker,” Snyder says. “Mak-
the industry,” says Snyder.
ing sure our members can all communicate is
The TACVB also provides its mem-
vital.” To complement their expansive online
bers with peer-to-peer idea exchanges, tips
resources, TACVB recently introduced “My
on increasing market growth through new
TACVB,” which is an online community for
4 | TACVB
“We have to keep the lines of commu-
2012 Annual Conference Killeen TX Group
their members that contains LISTSERV’s,
three years ago and it was an introduction to
blogs and an online library resource for them
MySpace. Things change so fast, especially
to communicate easier and faster with each
with social media, and we’re bringing in so
other.
many people. They have to be educated fast-
CONTINUING EDUCATION
er, better and more frequently, as opposed to
once a year.”
At the moment, the main challenges facing
Another priority for the association
Texas Association of Convention and Visi-
is technology. They have to constantly be
tors Bureaus include high gas prices, and
evaluating how it will impact their mem-
ensuring that communities see the value of
bers. TACVB is always keeping their eyes on
their convention and visitor bureaus receiv-
what’s working now, and what is going to be
ing continuing education. “Sometimes our
working tomorrow, next week or next year.
members still have to justify to their city
“It’s vital,” Snyder says. “Google+, is that the
leaders or to their boards why they need to
next thing? Or is that just going to be out
have continuing education,” Snyder says.
there and over?”
“I was looking at conference materials from
“For our members is there going to
TACVB | 5
be a way to promote their destination or
MOVING FORWARD
event on Facebook? What’s going to happen
The Texas Association of Convention and
next?” she adds. “You also have to be com-
Visitors Bureaus is currently in the final plan-
pletely mobile, but yet still offer everything
ning stages for their upcoming Mid-Winter
else for those people that want to look at a
Education Conference on Jan. 29-31. They
desktop.”
are close to making sure everything is final-
6 | TACVB
membership drive in 2012 added many additional members from Oklahoma. “We’re
still focusing on Oklahoma, and then we will
go off to our other shoulder states,” Snyder
says.
Looking ahead longer term, Snyder
wants every member bureau to be seen as the
tourism and destination authority in their
particular city, and have them work closely
with economic development and city leadized and “ready to be put to bed,” Snyder
says. They’re also in the planning stages of
their upcoming Annual Conference, which
will be held from Aug. 6-9 in El Paso.
TACVB is also looking at expanding
ers. “Our focus is helping our members become that voice for their city to work with
their leadership and economic development,
still stay ahead and keep tourism coming to
their city,” she says. o
membership in neighboring states. A recent
TACVB | 7