2008 Annual Report

• Introduction
  • Mission Statement and Letter from the Executive Director
  • Bureau Staff and Board Members
• 2008 Bureau Results
  • 2008 WCCVB Highlights
  • Community Support Grants and Partnership Awards
  • Performance Charts
• Brief Outlook for 2009

2008 WCCVB HIGHLIGHTS

Accreditation

WCCVB was awarded industry accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).  WCCVB earned this honor after completing the year-long application process and having met the rigorous standards of industry accreditation.  WCCVB was one of four convention and visitors bureaus to earn this honor in Ohio, and the first in Southwest Ohio.  In earning the DMAP accreditation, CVBs communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their organization has attained a significant measure of excellence. 

OTA Awards

The 2008 Ohio Travel Association's Conference on Tourism recognized the efforts of the Bureau marketing team with three "Citation of Excellence" Ruby Awards.  Ruby awards stand for Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance in the Travel and Tourism Industry and are judged on their ability to meet a series of criteria including; Breakthrough, Relevance, Focus, Differentiation, and Action.  WCCVB also received a coveted "Delegates Choice Award" which is voted on by delegates attending the OTA Conference.

The Ruby Awards were presented for the following campaigns:

Citations of Excellence

• Direct Mail/Free Standing Insert and Electronic Media, Warren County 30 Prizes in 30 Days
• Print Advertisement, Renegade Barbie, Country Living Magazine
• Electronic Media, Warren County iBrochure

Delegates Choice Award

• Print Advertisement, Renegade Barbie, Country Living Magazine

WCCVB moves to Mason

Over the past four years the Bureau has grown in many ways.  Our programs have doubled as well as our staff.  It didn't take long to outgrow the beautiful historic office we occupied on Warren Street in Lebanon. In 2008 the board of trustees made the decision to relocate the Bureau to its current home at 5412 Courseview Drive Suite 220, Mason, Ohio in May of 2008.  This location has the benefit of being more centrally located and has the important ease of access to the interstate.  

2008 WCCVB Recap

Sport and Group efforts resulted in $27.2 million in economic impact in 2008.  Leisure impact is calculated in two-year intervals in the conversion study which will be conducted again for 2009. 

By Department:

• Sports Marketing: $25.9 million (+14% vs. 2007)
• Group/Meeting Sales: $1.3 million (+16% vs. 2007)

Marketing

• Unique Web Visitors: 278,000  (+54% vs. 2007) 
• Visitors Guide Requests: 56,000 (+195% vs. 2007)
• Visitor Guide Distribution: 80,000

Sports

Sports retained 84% of room nights from 2007 to 2008 and hosted 6 new events, of which all six will return in 2009.  Non-traditional sports continue to play a significant role in events booked.  Warren County hosted or plans to host Jump Rope, Soaring, Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, Crappie USA Fishing, and Australian Rules Football.

• Sporting Events: 38 (-5% vs. 2007)  
• New Events:  13 (-40% vs. 2007)
• Attendees: 70,038 (+32% vs. 2007)
• Room Nights: 32,800 (+0% vs. 2007)  

Sales

The economy slowed the booking process for many groups, leading to delayed bookings and a renewed focus on affordability.   Sales were 25% Corporate Groups and 75% SMERF Business.

• Total new events: 12 (+300% vs. 2007)
• Site Visits: 13 (+63% vs. 2007)
• Conversion Rate:  23% (+155% vs. 2007)