Sales efforts, local awareness campaigns, new marketing initiatives, and new staff, are catapulting the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) as a leader in the community for economic growth.
Each year, the Beaumont CVB works diligently to entice groups, conventions, and sports planners to choose Beaumont for their meeting destination. These meetings impact the local economy through hotel occupancy taxes and tourism dollars.
Throughout 2021, the convention sales team hosted several week-long meetings and tournaments with some sporting events that brought in well over 100+ teams each weekend. With the support of recently launched sales initiatives, the sales staff has booked new business for 2022 and is looking ahead to 2023 and beyond to book meetings in Beaumont.
In addition to those sales efforts, the marketing team expanded awareness to a larger audience by creating new programming and events including a Geocaching pass, Cajun Trail foodie pass, hosting ARTACO, and Beaulympics. Most recently, the Beaumont CVB implemented a bike-sharing system, Beaucycles, in historic downtown Beaumont with an affordable $5 rental fee.
Through these new opportunities and by promoting local events and attractions, dollars are coming into the community, and we have the proof. According to the Travel Texas Industry Association, visitor spending in Beaumont, which includes meetings, sports, and leisure, was over $308 million* within the last year. This figure tops surrounding cities including Sugarland, The Woodlands, and Conroe.
Adding to those achievements, the Beaumont CVB is excited to announce new faces and positions to the team.
Virtue Alexander took the role as the new senior convention sales manager after working in the hospitality and sales industry throughout the area for the past 20 years. Her experience with the industry and love for the city will be a contributing factor to booking business in Beaumont.
With an emphasis on nature tourism in the area, long-time Beaumont CVB Sales Manager, Rebecca Woodland, is taking her talents to the Tyrrell Park Nature Center as the new manager. This exciting endeavor at Tyrrell Park will bring in many visitors to Beaumont and offer educational opportunities for all ages.
“It has been a whirlwind of growth and change, but we could not be more excited for the future of Beaumont, as tourism is truly economic development,” said Beaumont CVB Executive Director, Dean Conwell. “We have a lot of experienced and talented minds on our staff that work hard to put Beaumont in the forefront of convention and tourism markets.”
Looking ahead to 2022, both the sales and marketing teams will be expanding community outreach. The Beaumont CVB wants to encourage others in the community to change their outlook on the area to see that there is something for everyone in Beaumont.