Cutting the Ribbon on a Tourism Renaissance

Destination Marketing Agency Will Head Up Regional Efforts to Promote 150th Commemoration of the American Civil War

PRINCE WILLIAM, Va., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- With a pledge to dramatically increase tourism promotion efforts in the Prince William & Manassas region and to shed the destination's status as the "Washington, D.C. area's best kept secret," county leaders and business officials on Friday officially re-launched the Prince William & Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

The CVB, which is the destination's leading agency responsible for increasing county revenues through tourism promotion, on Friday cut the ribbon on its new office on Balls Ford Road. The event, which marks a milestone for an organization that was recently restructured to lead the region's efforts to promote the Civil War Sesquicentennial, was attended by more than 200 elected officials, tourism partner representatives, and civic leaders.

At the ribbon cutting, the CVB's executive director, Ann Marie Maher, pledged that the bureau would enhance its local, regional, and national profile to maximize visitation at the dozens of events surrounding the 150th commemoration of the American Civil War -- activities that are slated to begin in July.

"Prince William & Manassas is one of the most authentic and beautiful places for people from across the country to visit," Maher said. "We can no longer be the 'Washington region's best kept secret,' but instead must work to aggressively drive travelers to our area and bolster our county's economy through a vibrant tourism sector. The CVB is perfectly positioned to do that."

"With the CVB's new location and new direction, we have a tremendous opportunity to show people here at home and across the nation what our destination has to offer," said the chairman of the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau, Steve Nelson.

Nelson and Maher announced that the CVB would rebrand its logo, marketing materials, website, and social media platforms to enhance its visibility, working in cooperation with local attractions, hoteliers, and businesses. Already, the CVB has launched a special website focused on the Civil War reenactment in July, www.ManassasBullRun.com .

The Convention and Visitors Bureau -- which is funded through an appropriation by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and the county's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), also receives a grant from the City of Manassas. County Supervisors Maureen Caddigan (Dumfries) and John Jenkins (Neabsco) -- as well as Liz Via, Director of Community Development for the City of Manassas and Prince William Chamber of Commerce President Robert H. Clapper, II, were among the dignitaries attending the ribbon cutting.

"The Board of County Supervisors is very pleased to support what the CVB is doing," said Maureen Caddigan, Dumfries District Supervisor and an attendee at Friday's event. "Tourism promotion is extremely important to all of us in our county."