The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) promotes the region to visitors in order to support local business and generate lodging, sales, and meals tax revenue to increase the tax base for residents. Its core activities include marketing, public relations, visitor services, sales, research, and destination development.
In calendar year 2024, the CACVB's advertising efforts reached
encouraging potential visitors to plan an overnight stay to Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Did you know that visitors who stay in hotels, Airbnbs, and other short-term rentals are charged a transient occupancy tax?
The CACVB works to build experiences and initiatives that welcome visitors from all backgrounds. Examples of this work include Discover Black Cville, accessibility efforts through a partnership with Wheel the World and the launch of an accessible travel landing page, the Tourism for All cohort and conference, and the strategic use of Virginia Tourism Corporation grant funds.
Tourism is more than just increased tax revenue. It also supports the viability of local restaurants, wineries, and activities that our community could not sustain on its own. This, in turn, creates a better standard of living for our residents.
Destination Development routinely meets with industry partners to engage in topics critical to the success of our destination such as industry developments, opportunities, and grants.
In FY24-25, Destination Development Manager Chris Ridder served on a panel at the Rivanna River Basin Commission Conference and provided input to the 2025 Mobility Summit. Through regular meetings and monthly communications, he keeps the outdoor recreation industry abreast of important developments and announcements, like Charlottesville’s Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Town (Midsize) 2024 win, the development of Ride with GPS routes, and the newly created Shenandoah National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway webpage.
In FY24-25, Destination Development Manager Carla Mullen secured grant funding for a Revolutionary War-themed 2025 Cville Puzzle Hunt (850+ attendees) and development of a 10-episode podcast with University of Virginia historian Benjamin Bernard, Ph.D., focusing on the historical memory of the American Revolution and commemoration of the Semiquincentennial.
In fiscal year (FY) 2024, the CACVB’s Destination Development team assisted tourism partners in bringing
These funds are used to produce and promote events with more than 500 attendees.
The CACVB also works to develop the industry workforce by supporting student learning within the tourism industry. This is done through partnerships with Albemarle County Public Schools, the City of Charlottesville, PVCC, and UVA Pipelines & Pathways. By educating students about careers in the hospitality field and providing budding talent with job opportunities, our destination can continue to develop a new generation of leadership. Our K-12 workforce programming includes exploration days and fieldtrips, school presentations, and job fairs.
In March 2025, the CACVB helped host the Senior Stay & Community Fair which reached over 400 high school students and 200 community job seekers.
“I’d been looking for a job and was able to meet with The Catering Outfit during the job fair. I applied and was hired! I’ve already worked at a few events, and I love getting to see all that goes on behind the scenes at a big event like a wedding. I also make good money too.”
C.D., 10th Grade
Visitor Services
Mobile Visitor Centers
In 2024, Visitor Services had a total reach of 72,000. This included pre-trip planning services, service through its two Mobile Visitor Centers, mail requests, and bulk order fulfillment. The Mobile Visitor Centers are stationed at 10 locations in the city and county.
The CACVB works to develop and maintain relationships with meeting/group planners that would have potential business in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Critical responsibilities include lead distribution to our partners, attending and exhibiting at regional and national trade shows, hosting familiarization trips, and conducting sales calls.
In FY 2024, the CACVB successfully attracted and supported groups, weddings, meetings, and other events to more than
through more than
dozens of site visits, and visitor outreach efforts.
The CACVB promotes our community through inclusive and welcoming marketing efforts including social media, public relations, and strategic paid advertising. 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.
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