About Us

The CACVB is an innovative, collaborative and service-oriented destination marketing and management organization that welcomes all visitors to Charlottesville and Albemarle County with the goal of improving the quality of life for residents and supporting a robust tourism ecosystem. This ecosystem is sustained and enhanced through partnerships with all tourism-related businesses and attractions in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The CACVB is funded through a portion of the Lodging Tax, generated through overnight stays in our wide variety of accommodations. Therefore, welcoming visitors from all backgrounds to stay overnight is the primary mission of our organization.

Marketing
The CACVB promotes our community through inclusive and welcoming Marketing, Public Relations and Sales efforts. These efforts are enhanced by our team’s individual passion for telling authentic stories, our destination’s wealth of amenities, diverse businesses and attractions, and emphasizing partnerships.

Visitor Services
The CACVB proactively serves our tourism partners, potential visitors, and visitors by responding to inquiries, providing brochures individually and in bulk, and at our Mobile Visitor Center locations in the City and County.

Administrative
The CACVB staff is the most knowledgeable, approachable and accurate resource for wholistic visitor information in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The CACVB is a responsible steward of public funds and supports its team internally to work collaboratively, joyfully and effectively.

Community Support & Service

The CACVB acts as a resource to serve all tourism-related businesses/attractions and the community in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

Economic Impact of the CACVB

The CACVB’s efforts helped to stimulate more than $680 million dollars of direct visitor spending in our community in 2019 (most recently available year). This economic activity sustained local businesses by supporting over 6,000 people who work for the tourism industry. Below is the combined tourism industry economic impact data for Charlottesville and Albemarle County in calendar year 2019:

- $683 million in direct visitor spending
- 6,121 jobs supported by tourism
- $130.1 million in jobs payroll
- $22.9 million in local taxes collected

Mission

The mission of the CACVB is to enhance the economic prosperity of City and County by promoting, selling and marketing the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle as a destination, in pursuit of the meetings and tourism markets.

Vision for 2025

Albemarle County and Charlottesville will create a better quality of life for residents by being the most inclusive, diverse, welcoming, thriving destination for visitors in the Southeast.

Equity and Inclusivity Statement

Albemarle County and Charlottesville inclusively and equitably welcome visitors, including but not limited to/irrespective of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, age, mental/physical disability and citizenship. The CACVB pledges to create inclusive content, share diverse local stories and provide equitable opportunities for local partners in its work.

Board of Directors

Francois Abadie – The Graduate Hotel Charlottesville

Cecil Banks - The University of Virginia

Russ Cronberg – UVA Foundation

Chris Engel - City of Charlottesville Economic Development

Rebecca Ivins – Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce

Emily Kilroy - Albemarle County Economic Development

Bea LaPisto-Kirtley - Albemarle County Board of Supervisors

Jennifer Lyon - Monticello

Jaruchan Palakawongs – Blue Ridge Cyclery

Jay Pun - Chimm, Chimm Street, and Thai Cuisine and Noodle House

Danny Shea - Red Light Management, Starr Hill Presents

Jay Simple – The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative

Brad Uhl – Bread & Table Management Group

Juandiego Wade - Charlottesville City Council

John Wharton - Community Member

Staff

Courtney Cacatian
Executive Director
434-972-4142
ccacatian@albemarle.org

Linnea Bennett
Social Media and Content Manager
434-953-0673
lbennett2@albemarle.org

Rami Gadow
Travel Specialist
434-293-6789
rgadow2@albemarle.org

Cassie Ivey
Director of Visitor & Community Engagement
434-972-4133
civey@albemarle.org

Teresa Lamb
Sales Manager
434-972-4138
tlamb@albemarle.org

Carla Mullen
Destination Development Manager
434-972-4137
cmullen1@albemarle.org

Kathy O'Leary
Budget & Purchasing
434-972-4130
koleary@albemarle.org

Chris Ridder
Destination Development Manager
434-906-4077
cridder@albemarle.org

Brantley Ussery
Director of Marketing & PR
434-972-4139
bussery@albemarle.org

Amanda Vierrether
Marketing Manager
434-972-4134
avierrether@albemarle.org

Ethan Wagner
Travel Specialist
434-293-6789
ewagner2@albemarle.org