The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau was one of seven tourism entities across the state to receive Research-In-Action awards at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism held in late September.
CCVB executive director Nancy Carpenter said efforts to provide streamlined event, restaurant and lodging data to the Mississippi Development Authority’s tourism division, in particular through its use of an event calculator, was instrumental in earning the honor for the Pines Region.
The CCVB has recently formed a partnership with Tennessee-based Smith Travel Research, which helps gather weekly data integrating hotel occupancy, 2 percent restaurant tax earnings and earnings from CCVB-sponsored events to report the economic impact of events locally to the state agency.
Carpenter said that research has helped the tourism bureau and hotels improve occupancy rates from 50 to 68 percent. Hotel tax returns fund the operation of the Trotter Convention Center, which will soon undergo a $2 million facelift.
“When you have a $1.6 million budget, you need to have your homework done and you need to find out what has been a factor in the increase in your 2 percent restaurant tax,” she said. “It’s necessary for us to work on our budget, be good stewards of the money and watch for any trends with our events.”
Part of calculating the value and impact of an event includes sending researchers out to gather information from visitors on whether or not they plan to stay the weekend in Columbus, how many times they’ve previously visited the Friendly City, and if they would encourage others to visit, Carpenter said.
“It’s nice to be recognized on the state level,” she said. “Our CVB is doing a lot of things well and…doing a lot of things that have never been done.”
Other recipients included the Ridgeland Tourism Commission, Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, Coahoma County Tourism Commission/Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Grenada Tourism Division, Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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