Cumberland County, NC –  In the first quarter of the 2017/18 Fiscal Year (FY17), Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) booked business and laid the groundwork for a successful year. “The shows we attend in the summer and fall generate leads that our sales team secures during the remainder of the year,” says FACVB President & CEO John Meroski.  “In addition to a busy travel season, the team closed some significant business this quarter.”

In the first quarter of FY17/18 FACVB staff:

  • Booked 35 future meetings, tournaments or group tour visits for Cumberland County. These bookings will use 3,325 room nights at area hotels. The impact on Cumberland County’s economy will be $1.39 million and the rollover impact is $3.4 million.
  • Attended 4 trade shows where staff made 79 contacts with planners and event organizers. Generated 40 leads for future meetings, tournaments and group business. These leads represent 5,844 room nights at area hotels and an economic impact of $2.25 million.
  • Secured 44 pieces coverage for Cumberland County as travel destination. A highlight was a story about Heroes Homecoming and Fayetteville’s Veterans Day Parade on the www.SouthernLiving.com.
  • Distributed 5 press releases; hosted 2 travel writer familiarization tours; attended two media shows to secure publicity for the area.
  • With the Heroes Homecoming V Committee, planned and initiated a Missing Man table initiative, where more than 150 businesses will honor those Missing in Action for with a table in their place of business.  Heroes Homecoming runs November 4th to November 12th.  Eastover, Hope Mills, Spring Lake and Fayetteville have planned events for the celebration.
  • Released a new Visitor / Trail Guide, fully updated with engaging photography. One hundred thousand were printed. 
  • Handled 3,100 visitor inquiries at three visitor centers around Cumberland County; distributed 18,500 Visitor Guides.
     

ABOUT THE FACVB 

The FACVB is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com  or call 1-888-98-HEROES. Cumberland County is the America's first military sanctuary.