Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

What Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau does

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit business association established in 1958 and designated by the County of Chautauqua and the New York State Division of Tourism/I Love NY program as the official tourism promotion agency for Chautauqua County, New York. The organization operates as a destination marketing organization (DMO) serving two primary customer segments: visitors and tourists seeking trip-planning resources, and local tourism businesses (hotels, restaurants, attractions, wineries, breweries) seeking marketing exposure. Its core product is the TourChautauqua.com digital platform, built on a standard website content management system, featuring a business directory, event calendar, trip planner, and 96-page digital travel guide reaching 400,000-500,000+ users annually. Supporting operations include physical visitor information centers at the I-86 Chautauqua Lake Rest Area and Chautauqua Institution Main Gate, a printed Travel Guide distributed 150,000+ times annually, and a 25,000+ subscriber email newsletter.

CCVB monetizes primarily through membership dues ($100/year per member business) and advertising (digital display ads at $200-$800/year, premium listings at $125-$350/year, brochure displays at $50-$80, and featured enewsletter placements). The organization is governed by a 19-member board of directors representing local tourism industry and government stakeholders, with Andrew Nixon serving as President & CEO and Diandra Morgan as Board Chair. Operations are supported by 4 full-time staff and 3-4 part-time staff. The go-to-market motion is event-driven and direct-to-consumer, combining content marketing through the website and travel guide, email newsletters, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest), and physical information center touchpoints. CCVB's strategic role is described in terms of supporting $313M+ in annual visitor spending to the Chautauqua County economy, though this represents regional economic impact rather than organizational revenue. No funding rounds, acquisitions, or equity events are associated with the entity, consistent with its nonprofit status.

Name

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

Legal name

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

Website

https://tourchautauqua.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit destination marketing organization that promotes tourism to Chautauqua County, NY, serving visitors through TourChautauqua.com and information centers, and local tourism businesses via membership and advertising programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Marketing and Tourism Promotion Services

NAICS

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Permitting, Reservations & Visitor Information Services (Passes, Booking, Visitor Centers) (THAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Destination marketing services
• Tourism promotion services
• Visitor information services
• Travel guide publishing
• Tourism advertising services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chautauqua

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from tourism businesses at $100 per year, providing listing on official tourism website, brochure distribution at Chautauqua Institution, and inclusion in Accommodations Directory
2. Advertising and Marketing Services: Digital display advertising on TourChautauqua.com, premium website listings, featured enewsletter placements, I-86 rest area brochure displays, and Travel Guide advertising

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) is the official tourism promotion agency for Chautauqua County, New York, operating as a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit business association since approximately 1958. It sells membership and advertising services to local tourism-related businesses and operates the TourChautauqua.com consumer website, publishes a 96-page annual Travel Guide and foldout map, staffs physical visitor information centers, and runs enewsletters and social channels to drive visitor traffic to member businesses.

Product overview

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) operates as the official destination marketing organization for Chautauqua County, NY. The organization's core product is the TourChautauqua.com digital platform, which serves as the primary tourism website and includes a business directory, event calendar, trip planner tool, and digital travel guide. Supporting services include membership programs offering website listings, advertising opportunities (digital display ads, premium listings, enewsletter features), and brochure distribution at visitor centers. The organization also provides physical visitor information centers, group marketing services, customer service training resources, and event submission capabilities. CCVB distributes a 96-page annual Travel Guide (both print and digital) and maintains visitor information centers at I-86 Rest Area and Chautauqua Institution. The organization employs approximately 4 full-time and 3-4 part-time staff, governed by a 19-member board of directors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TourChautauqua.com Consumer Website Public-facing tourism website (TourChautauqua.com) used by travelers and prospective visitors to research destinations, lodging, attractions, events, and itineraries in Chautauqua County, NY. Includes trip planning tools, an online event calendar, business directory, travel itinerary ideas, and a packages/special offers section.
• Chautauqua County Travel Guide (Print and Digital) 96-page annual Travel Guide and accompanying foldout map covering Chautauqua County attractions, dining, lodging, events and itineraries, distributed free to consumers via mail, visitor centers, AAA offices, Chamber offices and partner locations. Also offered in a digital flipbook format.
• CCVB Membership Program Annual membership program (approximately $100/year) for tourism-related businesses in Chautauqua County, including overnight lodging, attractions, dining, retail, and service providers. Members receive benefits such as business listings, advertising inclusion in the travel guide and on TourChautauqua.com, brochure distribution, and access to cooperative marketing programs.
• Website Advertising and Premium Business Listings Paid advertising placements on TourChautauqua.com, including premium/enhanced business directory listings, banner ads, and sponsored placements targeting consumer travelers researching Chautauqua County trips.
• CCVB Enewsletter Marketing Monthly consumer e-newsletter distributed to approximately 25,000+ subscribers featuring destination content, events, and paid advertising slots available to member businesses.
• I-86 Rest Area Brochure Distribution Paid brochure distribution slots at the CCVB-operated I-86 rest area information center, which serves more than 200,000 travelers per year, allowing member businesses to display printed collateral directly to passing motorists.
• Travel Guide Advertising Paid advertising placements inside the 96-page annual Chautauqua County Travel Guide, including display ads and classified listings targeted at consumers who request the printed guide.
• Group and Event Marketing Services Cooperative marketing services that help member venues and event organizers promote group tours, meetings, weddings, sports tournaments and other events in Chautauqua County via TourChautauqua.com placement, itinerary planning assistance and cooperative promotional support.
• Visitor Information Center Staffing Staffed physical visitor information centers at the Chautauqua Institution Main Gate (serving more than 100,000 visitors per season) and at the I-86 rest area (serving more than 200,000 travelers per year), distributing Travel Guides, brochures and personalized trip advice.
• Free Visitor Information Packet by Mail Free mailed information packet service where consumers can request a Travel Guide, foldout map and specific member brochures to be delivered by mail for trip planning.
• Event Submission Service Free event submission service that allows members and community organizers to submit events into the CCVB-managed online Calendar of Events on TourChautauqua.com, gaining visibility to consumer travelers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $313 million in annual visitor spending supported in Chautauqua County economy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• I Love NY (ILNY)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partnership with New York State tourism program for tourism marketing programs and services. CCVB is designated by the New York State Division of Tourism/ILNY program as the official tourism promotion agency for Chautauqua County.
• County of ChautauquacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCVB is linked to Chautauqua County government and designated by the County of Chautauqua as the official tourism promotion agency. County Executive Paul Wendel serves on CCVB's Board of Directors.
• Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner listed on CCVB website footer
• Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner listed on CCVB website footer
• CHQ Chamber (Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner listed on CCVB website footer. Dan Heitzenrater serves as Ex Officio on CCVB Board.
• SUNY FredoniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner listed on CCVB website footer. Judy Horowitz, Director of CCVB Board, is from SUNY Fredonia.
• Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partner listed on CCVB website footer
• Choose CHQ / Live CHQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate partners listed on CCVB website footer representing local economic development initiatives
• AAA and Chamber Offices (Regional Distribution Network)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel Guide distributed through AAA offices and Chamber of Commerce offices throughout the multi-state region
• Peek'n Peak ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScott Enterprises-owned resort where CCVB held its 68th annual meeting. Lance Rihn serves on CCVB Board as Director representing Peek'n Peak.
• Lake Erie Wine CountryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional wine trail consortium of 20+ wineries that CCVB promotes through Grape & Grain Trail and tourism resources

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Tripadvisor: Global user-generated travel content and review platform that competes with destination websites for visitor discovery and planning attention. Not a DMO peer but a major ecosystem participant that potentially disintermediates the role CCVB plays in connecting visitors to local tourism businesses.
• AAA (American Automobile Association): National travel information, mapping, and roadside assistance organization that distributes CCVB's Travel Guide through regional AAA offices. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor — supports CCVB's distribution network rather than competing for the DMO function.

Direct peers

• Visit Rochester: Official DMO for Rochester, NY and Monroe County. Comparable peer as another New York State DMO with similar destination website, member-based business listings, event calendar, group sales, and visitor guide distribution.
• Discover Long Island: Official DMO for Long Island, New York. Directly comparable as a New York State regional tourism promotion agency with membership-based revenue, destination website, travel guides, and event marketing programs.
• Visit Buffalo Niagara: Official DMO for Buffalo and Niagara region in Western New York. Direct peer operating in the same geographic region with comparable model — official designation, membership dues, destination website, visitor information distribution, and stakeholder-driven governance for a regional tourism economy.
• Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance: Regional DMO promoting the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Directly comparable as a New York regional tourism promotion organization with similar membership, website directory, event calendar, and travel guide distribution model.
• Visit Pittsburgh: Official DMO for the Pittsburgh region. Comparable peer in a similar mid-sized U.S. metro area with a destination website, business directory, event listings, and visitor guide distribution model anchored on member dues and advertising.
• Visit Dallas (Dallas CVB): Official convention and visitors bureau for Dallas. Comparable peer operating the standard DMO model with membership-based listings, event calendar, visitor guides, and convention/group sales — same business structure as CCVB.
• Destination DC: Official DMO for Washington, DC. Comparable peer operating the same official destination marketing model (membership dues, advertising, travel guides, event marketing) for a single defined destination, though at much larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• I Love NY (New York State Division of Tourism): New York State government's official tourism marketing program. CCVB is integrated with and reports to I Love NY as the county-level official tourism promotion agency. Broad incumbent providing state-level destination marketing that encompasses CCVB's territory and other county DMOs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Tour.Chautauqua
• Xx.com/tourchautauqua
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chautauqua-county-visitors-bur

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau