New name, logo for RVA tourism group

The Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau is trimming its name, but not trimming its ambition to bring tourism to the region.

The Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau announced Friday that the nonprofit tourism organization will rebrand itself as Richmond Region Tourism (RRT). In addition to a new name and logo, the organization released a brochure on the financial effects of tourism on the region (PDF) and an overview of its incentive plan to encourage local nonprofits to lure events to the region.

Local attractions that reported an excess of 100,00 visitors in 2012

  • Children’s Museum of Richmond
  • Maymont
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Lewis Ginter Botantical Gardens
  • Richmond National Battlefield Park
  • Science Museum of Virginia
  • Three Lakes Nature Center & Aquarium
  • The Library of Virginia
  • Henricus Historical Park
  • Virginia State Capitol
  • American Civil War Center

Jennifer Carnam, Vice President of Marketing at RRT, said the new name is more fitting “because we’re not just about conventions. We’re about driving and supporting tourism for the entire Richmond Region.” Describing the new logo1 at Friday’s unveiling, Carnam said, “It’s bold and makes a statement, just like our region does.”

Roughly 6 million visit the region annually, collectively spending $1.93 billion,2 an average of $5 million per day. Over 20,000 people in the region are employed by the tourism and travel industry.

While the region offers many appealing destinations, attractions are not the only draw. According to a study commissioned by RRT last year, sports and religious conventions are among the best at boosting hotel occupancy and local business (followed by association and government conventions).

To increase the amount of tourism to the region, the RRT has announced an incentive program that will reward local nonprofits that recruit regional, state, and national meetings. RRT will reward recruiting nonprofits $2 for each hotel room booked (e.g. an event that books 100 hotels would reward $200). The RRT will also help book the regional business, provide marketing, and assist with vendor selection, among other services.

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Footnotes

  1. Designed by local company JHI
  2. Spending by county: Henrico ($712 million); City of Richmond ($588 million); Chesterfield ($401 million); Hanover ($197 million); and New Kent ($29 million). 
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Nathan Cushing

Nathan Cushing is a writer, journalist, and RVANews Editor.

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