Greater Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau

Greater Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau
Name	Greater Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau
Formation	1950s
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Greensboro, North Carolina
Region served	Guilford County, High Point, Winston-Salem
Leader title	President and CEO

Greater Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau The Greater Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau is a regional tourism promotion organization based in Greensboro, North Carolina. It serves Guilford County and surrounding municipalities by promoting hospitality, convention business, sports tourism, historic sites, and cultural attractions. The bureau works with local hotels, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, regional airports, and arts institutions to attract visitors, conventions, and sporting events.

History

The bureau traces its roots to mid-20th century civic booster movements that paralleled developments in Forsyth County, North Carolina, High Point, North Carolina, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Early civic leaders collaborated with boards associated with the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the Greensboro Historical Museum, and the Greensboro News & Record to expand visitor services and hotel development near Piedmont Triad International Airport and along Interstate 40 (North Carolina), Interstate 85, and U.S. Route 29 in North Carolina. Throughout the late 20th century the bureau engaged with state-level entities such as Visit North Carolina and regional initiatives involving Wake County, North Carolina and Alamance County, North Carolina to support projects tied to NC A&T State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and nearby Elon University. Major milestones included partnerships for conventions at the Greensboro Coliseum, promotion of events at Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, and coordination with the hospitality industry during the expansion of the Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Organization and Governance

The bureau operates as a nonprofit organization governed by a board drawn from local stakeholders including representatives from Guilford County, North Carolina government, the City of Greensboro, hotel associations such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and private-sector partners like regional chambers including the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Leadership roles often interface with economic development agencies such as Downtown Greensboro, Inc. and tourism advisory panels affiliated with North Carolina General Assembly appropriations for travel promotion. Executive staff coordinate with venue management teams at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, hospitality executives from chains like Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and convention planners who have worked on events tied to organizations such as USA Swimming, NCAA, and American Hockey League affiliates. Fiscal oversight involves audits and reporting comparable to nonprofit standards observed by entities such as the Internal Revenue Service and accounting practices referenced by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Services and Programs

The bureau provides destination marketing, convention services, sports bid assistance, and visitor information that supports attractions like the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, Weatherspoon Art Museum, and the Greensboro Science Center. It offers meeting planners site-selection support for venues including the Greensboro Convention Center, the Greensboro Coliseum, and area hotels from chains including Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Choice Hotels International. Visitor services include printed materials, digital itineraries linked to regional assets such as Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Vega Innovations tech platforms, and group-tour coordination for cultural institutions like the Blandwood Mansion and the LeBauer Park complex. Programs also extend to sports tourism initiatives working with organizations like USA BMX, NASCAR Hall of Fame affiliates, and collegiate conferences such as the MEAC and CIAA.

Marketing and Economic Impact

Marketing campaigns emphasize partnerships with media outlets including the Greensboro News & Record, regional broadcast affiliates of NPR, and digital platforms that target feeder markets such as Charlotte, North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. The bureau measures economic impact using metrics aligned with studies from Visit North Carolina, academic research from North Carolina A&T State University, and analyses by regional economic development groups similar to Piedmont Triad Partnership. Its efforts aim to increase hotel occupancy tax revenues collected by Guilford County, North Carolina and support workforce needs for employers such as VF Corporation and manufacturing facilities formerly associated with Nissan North America operations in the region. Annual reports and campaign results inform collaborations with statewide initiatives like the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Events and Attractions Promotion

The bureau actively markets signature events and attractions including conventions at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, performing arts at the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, festivals such as Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival-style events, and seasonal programming tied to historic sites like Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. It supports ticketed events for touring productions that coordinate with promoters associated with the American Theatre Wing and touring circuits that collaborate with venues across the Research Triangle. Sports-event promotion targets amateur and professional competitions similar to tournaments managed by USA Basketball and regional lacrosse events affiliated with the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Partnerships and Memberships

Key partnerships include tourism alliances with Visit North Carolina, regional economic development organizations like the Piedmont Triad Partnership, hospitality partners including Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide, and cultural institutions such as the Weatherspoon Art Museum and Greensboro Symphony. Membership in professional associations provides access to networks like the U.S. Travel Association, Meeting Professionals International, and state-level coalitions connected to the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. Collaborative initiatives also extend to transportation partners including Piedmont Triad International Airport and public-private projects with entities similar to Port of Virginia logistics planners for regional event supply chains.

Category:Organizations based in Greensboro, North Carolina