Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau

What Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau does

Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and tourist information center for Put-in-Bay, Ohio, on South Bass Island in Lake Erie (Ottawa County). The entity was established circa 2013 and operates from its headquarters at 470 Loraine Avenue, Suite 267, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, with a staff of 51–100 employees funded primarily through Ottawa County. Its core function is to serve as the single authoritative information hub connecting visitors — predominantly leisure travelers, families, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and corporate groups drawn from Midwest metropolitan areas (Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Pittsburgh) — with the island's tourism offerings across a 2-by-5-mile geography that is accessible only by ferry or air.

The bureau's "product" is a digital and physical information distribution platform rather than a software product: a WordPress-based official website (visitputinbay.org) hosting content on lodging, attractions, dining, ferry services, golf cart rentals, events, transportation, and historical/heritage information, supported by 11+ social media channels, a monthly e-newsletter with sweepstakes-driven subscriber engagement, and a Central Reservation Center that handles package bookings via phone ((833) 742-2827). An in-person visitor center operates daily 8:30 AM–10 PM, year-round. The bureau curates an affiliated ecosystem of featured operators including Jet Express and Miller Ferry (transportation), Put-in-Bay Resort, Edgewater Hotel, Bay Lodging Resort and Put-in-Bay Villas (accommodations), Put-in-Bay Golf Carts (transportation), and attractions such as Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial and Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave.

The business model is affiliate-referral and commission-driven rather than direct consumer revenue: the bureau charges no fee to visitors for its information services or island access. Revenue is generated indirectly through commissions and referral arrangements with affiliated hotels, resorts, rental homes, golf cart rental companies, marketing fees from member businesses, and bookings routed through the Central Reservation Center on bundled packages (Schools Out Special, Jet Away Getaway, Back to School Special). Underlying destination scale is approximately 1+ million annual visitors concentrated in a roughly seven-month tourist season (early April through Halloween weekend), served by an island with a year-round population of only 128 and over 40 restaurants and bars.

Name

Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau

Legal name

Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau

Website

https://visitputinbay.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau is the official destination marketing organization and tourist information center for Put-in-Bay, Ohio, on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. It connects over one million annual Midwest leisure and group visitors with affiliated island lodging, ferry, transportation, and attraction operators, funded through Ottawa County and affiliate commissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Marketing & Tourism Promotion Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Inbound DMCs (Full-Service Ground Handling) (THAKAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shore Excursion & Port Services Operators (THAKAEAE), B2B Agent/Partner Booking Portals (Extranet) (THALADAJ), Island, Beach & Resort Travel Agencies (THAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Destination marketing
• Tourism promotion
• Convention bureau services
• Island vacation planning
• Visitor information services

Headquarters

HQ city

Put In Bay

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourism Promotion and Visitor Services: The bureau operates as the official island guide and tourist information center for Put-in-Bay, Ohio, functioning as a destination marketing organization (DMO). Revenue is generated indirectly through promotion of local tourism businesses. The organization is funded through Ottawa County and operates as a public-sector tourism promotion body. Direct revenue streams include commissions and referral arrangements with affiliated hotels, resorts, rental homes, and golf cart rental companies, as well as marketing fees from member businesses. The Central Reservation Center ((833) 742-2827) books lodging packages and discounts on behalf of affiliated properties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau operates as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and tourist information center for Put-in-Bay, Ohio on South Bass Island. It provides comprehensive trip planning resources, a Central Reservation Center for booking lodging packages, promotes island attractions, ferry services, accommodations, dining, and events. Revenue is generated indirectly through commissions and referral arrangements with affiliated hotels, resorts, rental homes, ferry services, golf cart rentals, and attractions, along with marketing fees from member businesses.

Product overview

Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau is a destination marketing organization (DMO) that serves as the official island guide and tourist information center for Put-in-Bay, Ohio on South Bass Island. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather promotes and markets a portfolio of island tourism services and attractions including: ferry transportation (Jet Express and Miller Ferry), golf cart rentals, accommodations (Put-in-Bay Resort, Edgewater Hotel, Bay Lodging Resort, and villa rentals), marina/dock services, airport access, taxi services, and various attractions such as Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, Perry's Cave Family Fun Center, Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave, and South Bass Island State Park. The organization's website serves as a booking platform and information hub connecting visitors with these island services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Central Reservation Center Phone-based reservation line ((833) 742-2827) for booking lodging package deals, discounts, and specials. Staff handles group bookings and provides personalized trip planning advice for visitors who prefer human-assisted booking or seek package deals not available online.
• Win A Free Weekend Sweepstakes
• Tour Groups & Meetings Coordination
• Visitor Information Services
• Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial A 352-foot granite memorial column commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie and the War of 1812, featuring an observation deck with views of Detroit, Toledo, and Cleveland. Managed by the National Park Service; bureau promotes and provides visitor information.
• Jet Express Ferry
• Miller Ferry
• Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals
• Put-in-Bay Resort
• Edgewater Hotel Modern hotel directly on the main strip across from DeRivera Park and Put-in-Bay Docks, remodeled in 2017. The only modern hotel directly on the main strip.
• Bay Lodging Resort
• Put-in-Bay Villa Home Rentals
• Docks & Marinas
• Put-in-Bay Airport (3W2)
• Coop's Cab Taxi Service
• Perry's Cave Family Fun Center
• Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave
• South Bass Island State Park

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million tourists visit Put-in-Bay annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Great Lakes Islands AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2023The Great Lakes Islands Alliance is a collaborative alliance of Great Lakes island communities that convened at Put-in-Bay in January 2023 after pandemic-related delays. The bureau hosted or participated in this alliance meeting. The alliance represents a network of island destination organizations working together on shared regional tourism initiatives and island preservation goals.
• Jet Express FerrycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Jet Express is the bureau's featured passenger ferry service, departing from downtown Port Clinton, Ohio and Sandusky, Ohio (near Cedar Point). It offers narrated tours during crossing, comfortable passenger amenities, and the only late-night ferry service to Put-in-Bay. The bureau prominently features Jet Express scheduling, booking links, and package deals (Jet Away Getaway) on its official website and through its central reservation center. The Jet Express disembarks passengers directly in the downtown area, eliminating the need for taxi or bus transportation.
• Miller FerrycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Miller Ferry is the island's primary freight service and the only ferry capable of transporting vehicles to South Bass Island. Departing from Catawba Island, it operates from mid-March through late December with crossings taking approximately 20 minutes. The bureau features the Miller Ferry as a core transportation option and includes it in the Jet Away Getaway package deal alongside attraction discount coupons. The Miller Ferry does not arrive downtown, requiring a taxi or golf cart rental to reach the main strip.
• Put-in-Bay Golf CartscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended by the bureau as the island's largest golf cart rental agency with the lowest rates and newest fleet. Located one block from the ferry, offering hourly, daily, overnight, and weekly rentals. Online reservations are recommended and strongly encouraged by the bureau, which includes a $5 discount coupon for this provider. Featured in package deals (Schools Out Special, Jet Away Getaway) as a free inclusion with hotel bookings. Golf carts are the primary mode of island transportation and are central to the visitor experience.
• Delaware Golf Cart RentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEstablished circa 1965, Delaware Golf Cart Rental is the island's oldest continually operating golf cart rental company. The bureau lists Delaware Golf Carts as one of three recommended golf cart providers, noting they were the first to offer overnight rentals and operate the island's largest and newest fleet of EZ-GO and Club Car golf carts.
• Put-in-Bay RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed by the bureau as a recommended golf cart rental provider, offering 2-4-6 & 8-passenger golf carts as well as moped and bicycle rentals. Located on the main strip near the Put-in-Bay ferry. The bureau notes reservations are suggested and accepted online.
• Coop's Cabs (Put-in-Bay Taxi Service)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEndorsed and recommended by the bureau as the preferred taxi service on the island. Operating with the island's newest fleet of late-model passenger vans, Coop's Cabs offers a $4.00 flat fare anywhere on the island. Services include airport transfers, corporate shuttles, bar/hotel/pool-hopping, ferry shuttles, and late-night pizza delivery. The bureau provides the taxi phone number (419-285-2667) and recommends taxi service for visitors arriving via the Miller Ferry who do not have pre-booked golf carts.
• Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial / National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is the centerpiece attraction promoted by the bureau. Standing at 352 feet, the Greek Doric column commemorates the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie and symbolizes peace between the US, Britain, and Canada. The National Park Service manages the memorial, which is open daily 10 AM–6 PM (seasonal, last elevator at 5:45 PM). The memorial's observation deck offers panoramic views of Detroit, Toledo, and Cleveland. The bureau provides detailed visitor information, historical context, and links to the memorial on its official website.
• Put-in-Bay ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe island's newest and largest full-service resort, located one block from downtown nightlife. Featured prominently in the bureau's package deals (Schools Out Special, Jet Away Getaway) and recommended as a top hotel choice for bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate groups, and families. The resort offers conference facilities for meetings and events, a swim-up bar, and modern accommodations. Booking is handled through the bureau's central reservation center.
• Edgewater HotelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNewly remodeled in 2017, the Edgewater Hotel is described as the only modern hotel directly on the main strip across from DeRivera Park and Put-in-Bay docks. Recommended by the bureau as a top lodging choice, featuring an on-site ATM (Croghan Colonial Bank), convenient downtown location, and inclusion in package deals. Featured as a recommended hotel for bachelor parties.
• Bay Lodging ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatures the island's only indoor-outdoor swimming pool, located two blocks from the main downtown area. The bureau features Bay Lodging in its package deals and the Back to School Special, offering 2-bedroom condo-style units with a free overnight golf cart rental. Direct booking phone numbers are provided through the bureau's reservation center.
• Put-in-Bay VillascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe island's most luxurious and sought-after home rentals, offering 4- and 5-bedroom modern villas in a downtown location (one block from downtown). Features include full kitchens, private decks, 55-inch plasma TVs, and pool access with swim-up bar and the world's largest Jacuzzi. Linens, towels, and sheets are included — unique among island rental homes. Featured in the bureau's Back to School Special package deal.
• Heineman's Winery and Crystal CavecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHome to the world's largest geode (Crystal Cave), Heineman's Winery is one of the island's most iconic attractions and historical businesses. The winery produces regional wines from grapes grown on the island, benefiting from the extended growing season moderated by Lake Erie. The bureau features this attraction prominently and notes that wine purchases can be delivered to the ferry for convenience.
• Sonny S FerryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSonny S Ferry provides inter-island passenger service to Middle Bass Island, where another historic winery awaits. Listed as part of the bureau's ferry services section, enabling visitors to explore neighboring islands as part of a broader Lake Erie Islands itinerary.
• Griffing Island AirlinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServing the Put-in-Bay area since 1937, Griffing Island Airlines provides air transportation to and from the island via Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport (PCW). The bureau lists this carrier under local services and information, noting it as an alternative to ferry transportation — particularly important in winter months when ferries cannot operate due to ice on Lake Erie.
• Island Air TaximinorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA reliable and convenient air transportation service connecting the island to the mainland. Listed by the bureau as a local service, offering sightseeing tours around the islands in addition to transport. Operates with well-maintained aircraft and experienced pilots.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Key West Tourism / Florida Keys Visitors Council: The DMO for Key West, Florida — explicitly invoked in PIB's "Key West of the North" brand positioning. Both are ferry/boat-accessible island destinations with vibrant nightlife, bachelor/bachelorette party appeal, and similar package-deal/reservation-center operating models.
• Door County Visitor Bureau: The official destination marketing organization for Door County, Wisconsin — a Midwest peninsula destination with similar segments (families, couples, weekend leisure), comparable pricing structure, and overlapping feeder markets (Chicago, Milwaukee, Midwest drive-ins). Competes with PIB for the same regional leisure traveler.
• Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau: Official DMO for Mackinac Island, Michigan — a Lake Huron island destination also accessible only by ferry, promoting lodging, attractions, and transportation. Structurally identical to PIB: a small-island DMO with seasonal tourism, restricted vehicle access, and a portfolio of heritage attractions marketed to Midwest visitors.
• Mackinaw City Convention & Visitors Bureau: DMO for Mackinaw City, Michigan — a ferry access point near Mackinac Island and a comparable small-town seasonal tourism marketing organization. Similar visitor center + reservation model and similar peak-season capacity constraints.
• Visit Duluth: The DMO for Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior — comparable as a Great Lakes waterfront destination organization with strong outdoor/heritage positioning, multi-channel marketing operations and seasonal event programming.
• Visit Traverse City: The DMO for Traverse City, Michigan, a Great Lakes destination also positioned around water-based recreation, vineyards/wineries (analogous to Heineman's), and seasonal tourism. Same Midwest leisure traveler target with overlapping Chicago/Detroit feeder markets and similar seasonality profile.
• Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce: The tourism and visitor-serving organization for Kelleys Island — Put-in-Bay's direct neighbor in the Lake Erie Islands. Both islands share the same ferry ecosystem (Miller Boat Line), the same Bass Islands promotion, and the same seasonality profile — making Kelleys the closest geographic/operational peer.
• Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: DMO for the Saugatuck/Douglas area along Lake Michigan — a lakeside destination marketing small-town leisure tourism with an art/cultural overlay, comparable visitor segments and shoulder-season strategy. Competes with PIB for Chicago drive-market share.

Emerging players

• Cedar Point: Major nearby Sandusky-based amusement destination that draws many of the same Midwest visitors PIB targets. The Jet Express ferry's Sandusky stop explicitly serves Cedar Point traffic; partner of PIB's visitor ecosystem and partial competitor for discretionary leisure spend.

Others

• Great Lakes Islands Alliance: Network organization convened at Put-in-Bay in January 2023 representing peer Great Lakes island destination marketing organizations. Allied with PIB for cross-promotion rather than competing directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PutinBayOhio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-2m7wu10aMdmFEa7HAAWYw
• Facebookfacebook.com/putinbayohio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/putinbay
• Instagraminstagram.com/visitputinbayohio
• Pinterestpinterest.com/VisitPutinBayOhio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau