Feb 5, 2015
For Immediate Release
Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
Contact: Peter Bowden
Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phone 706.322.1613
Fax 706.322.0701
900 Front Avenue
http://www.visitcolumbusga.com
e-mail: ccvb@visitcolumbusga.com
Columbus, GA (Feb 4, 2015): The Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) is pleased to announce that the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has earned its Gold Benchmark of Excellence (BEC) recertification. The Columbus CVB is the only CVB in Georgia to achieve not only state certification, but has also earned national reaccreditation from Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).
The BEC program presents the opportunity for destination marketing organizations (DMO) in the state to measure its practices and achievements against a defined set of competencies, which serve to increase the overall professionalism and effectiveness of the organization.
“This is indeed a great honor,” stated Peter Bowden, President & CEO of the Columbus CVB. “This demonstrates our organization and team have met or exceeded specific standards, so the community and our customers know they are working with tourism professionals. Both of these programs are an integral part of our strategic plan.”
“There is a distinct set of measures of quality and professionalism achievable by Georgia DMOs of all sizes,” says GACVB president Monica Simmons. “Through the BEC course of certification, organizations are inspired to take a closer look at their operations, practices, and procedures in the interest of raising standards of excellence in all areas of the organization.”
Working with a statewide Review Committee comprised of industry professionals, the Cunningham Center for Leadership Development (CCLD), based at Columbus State University, serves as the certifying agency. Meeting the required standards earns the bureau/DMO the title of “Certification” or “Certified.”
The certification process is offered exclusively to GACVB members. Certification is valid for a term of three years, terminating on the anniversary of the most recent certification.
Tourism remains the second largest industry in Georgia generating over $25 billion. Conventions and tourism brought an economic impact of $348 million to Columbus along with 1.7 million visitors, and employing some 4,300 people according to economic studies provided by Columbus State University’s Abbott-Turner College of Business.
For more on the Columbus CVB, call (706) 322.1613 or visitcolumbusga.com.
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