Franklin County Visitors Bureau

What Franklin County Visitors Bureau does

Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) is the official county-level destination marketing organization for Franklin County, Pennsylvania, operating as a non-profit from the 11/30 Visitors Center at 15 South Main Street, Chambersburg, housed in the historic 1865 National Bank of Chambersburg building at the intersection of Route 11 (Molly Pitcher Highway) and Route 30 (Lincoln Highway). The organization promotes travel, events, and attractions across five principal communities — Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, Mercersburg, and Shippensburg — through a content portfolio of 50+ publications (including a 75,000+ circulation Visitors Guide), eight themed self-guided trails (Pour Trail, Barn Quilt Trail, Ice Cream Trail, Pizza Trail, Antique Trail, Coffee Shops Trail, Sweet Trail, Civil War Trail), and the weekly FCVB-TV video series streamed via Dacast. It also organizes major annual events such as IceFest (a four-day winter festival with 50 tons of ice sculptures), the 1864 Burning & Rebirth of Chambersburg re-enactment, the A Cappella & Unplugged music competition, and Boutique Blitz.

FCVB serves both end consumers (visitors and prospective travelers seeking historical, outdoor, culinary, and shopping experiences) and B2B stakeholders (local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, event sponsors, and advertisers). Its revenue model is multi-stream and non-transactional to consumers: it is funded through public appropriations, partnership dues with all five local Chambers of Commerce and Franklin County Government, grants from South Mountain Partnership and Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, event sponsorships, and advertising in print publications. Core technology is a WordPress website integrated with Dacast for video; there are no proprietary AI/ML systems, APIs, or software products. The organization is small (1–10 employees) and operates as the recognized county tourism bureau with formal backing from Franklin County Government.

Name

Franklin County Visitors Bureau

Legal name

Franklin County Visitors Bureau

Website

https://explorefranklincountypa.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Franklin County Visitors Bureau is the official non-profit destination marketing organization for Franklin County, Pennsylvania, promoting travel across five communities through a 75,000+ circulation Visitors Guide, eight themed trails, weekly FCVB-TV video, and signature events like IceFest and the 1864 Burning re-enactment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Marketing and Tourism Promotion

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Venue-Owned/Operated Event Organizers (In-House Promoters) (MPAKADAI)

Keywords

• Destination marketing services
• Visitor information services
• Tourism promotion
• Travel publications
• Community event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Chambersburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership and Partnership Programs: FCVB generates revenue through partnerships with local businesses, tourism partners including Chambers of Commerce (Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, Shippensburg, Mercersburg), and regional organizations including Franklin County Government, South Mountain Partnership, and Chesapeake Bay Funders Network. These partnerships support the organization's tourism promotion mission.
2. Event Revenue and Sponsorships: Major annual events including IceFest, 1864 Burning & Rebirth, Boutique Blitz, and A Cappella & Unplugged generate event-related revenue and local business sponsorship opportunities.
3. Publication Sales and Advertising: The Franklin County Visitors Guide (75,000+ circulation) and numerous specialty publications provide advertising revenue opportunities for local businesses. Publications cover history trails, outdoor recreation, dining guides, and event-specific content.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FCVB is the official tourism promotion organization for Franklin County, Pennsylvania, operating the 11/30 Visitors Center in Chambersburg and producing visitor guides, themed trail publications, a weekly video series (FCVB-TV), and signature events such as IceFest and the 1864 Burning & Rebirth reenactment. It coordinates with all five local Chambers of Commerce and Franklin County Government to market the region as a destination for history, outdoor recreation, culinary, and shopping tourism. Visitor information and trip-planning services are provided free of charge to consumers.

Product overview

Franklin County Visitors Bureau operates a destination marketing platform centered around the 11/30 Visitors Center, FCVB-TV video series, and an extensive portfolio of themed trails, events, and educational programs. The core offerings include the FCVB-TV video series, the physical 11/30 Visitors Center, Certified Tourism Ambassador training, and 7+ themed trail programs (Barn Quilt, Pour, Ice Cream, etc.). Events include major annual attractions like the 1864 Burning & Rebirth reenactment, A Cappella & Unplugged music competition, IceFest, and Boutique Blitz. Publications encompass the 75,000+ circulation Visitors Guide, trail guides (Military Trail, Barn Quilt Trail, Pour Trail), Franklin Fresh Food & Dining Guide, and On the Move Recreation Guide. Educational programs include the MLK Essay Contest, Flat Ben children's program, and historical heritage initiatives celebrating Black History Month and Women's History Month.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 11/30 Visitors Center Physical visitor center housed in the historic 1865 National Bank of Chambersburg building at the intersection of Route 11 (Molly Pitcher Highway) and Route 30 (Lincoln Highway), providing trip-planning assistance, distribution of visitor guides and maps, merchandise sales, and rotating exhibits for travelers to Franklin County.
• FCVB-TV Original weekly video series released on Wednesdays at 8:30 AM featuring episodes about Franklin County attractions, history, events, and outdoor recreation, distributed through Dacast with on-demand archive viewing.
• Franklin County Visitors Guide Comprehensive full-color travel guide covering history, recreation, dining, shopping, and the tourism directory for Franklin County, distributed with 75,000+ circulation throughout the United States and Canada.
• IceFest Four-day winter festival featuring nearly 50 tons of ice sculptures, double-wide ice slide, ice throne, Chili Q cook-off, Snowfall Ball, glassblowing, and escape room activities in downtown Chambersburg.
• 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth of Chambersburg Annual historical reenactment and living history event commemorating the July 30, 1864 burning of Chambersburg by Confederate troops, featuring a market day festival, walking tours, children's activities, and a light show reenactment that draws thousands of attendees.
• A Cappella & Unplugged Music Competition Music competition featuring open mic nights, Round 1 at Capitol Theatre, and Finals held on the Franklin County Courthouse steps, with a grand prize of $500 and People's Choice award of $100.
• Boutique Blitz Shopping event spanning the five main communities (Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, Waynesboro) featuring a Tic Tac Toe passport game and chances to win $200 shopping sprees.
• Certified Tourism Ambassador Program Training and certification program empowering local residents to serve as tourism ambassadors, with classes held August through November at the 11/30 Visitors Center.
• Franklin Fresh Food & Dining Guide Publication showcasing local farms, produce, and dining options in Franklin County, highlighting the region's status as a top agricultural producer in Pennsylvania.
• On the Move Outdoor Recreation Guide Comprehensive guide to outdoor recreation activities across all seasons in Franklin County, including hiking, fishing, golfing, and other outdoor pursuits.
• Flat Ben Program Interactive children's program similar to Flat Stanley, where families print, color, and photograph Flat Ben during Franklin County adventures and submit photos for posting on the website and social media.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest Annual essay contest inviting student submissions on the theme of doing the right thing, with $100 prizes awarded in five categories: Humanity, Education, Justice, Respect, and Liberty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000+ Visitors Guide circulation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ChambersburgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChambersburg is the largest community in Franklin County and the county seat. As a key tourism partner, the borough collaborates with FCVB on events, visitor promotion, and regional marketing initiatives. The partnership includes co-marketing of events like the 1864 Burning & Rebirth and support for downtown tourism.
• Greencastle Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGreencastle Chamber of Commerce serves the Greencastle community, known for its triennial Old Home Week celebration. The partnership supports regional tourism promotion and coordinates visitor information distribution for the Waynesboro area.
• ShippensburgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShippensburg community partner, partially located in Franklin County with Shippensburg University (founded 1871). The partnership promotes attractions including the 68th Annual Shippensburg Community Fair and local historic sites.
• MercersburgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMercersburg community partner, home of James Buchanan's boyhood home and significant Underground Railroad history. The partnership promotes historic walking tours and African American heritage sites.
• WaynesborocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWaynesboro and Washington Township are designated an Appalachian Trail Community. The partnership supports outdoor recreation tourism and the annual Waynesboro events including Boro Bash and America250PA celebrations.
• Franklin County GovernmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFranklin County Government provides ongoing partnership and support for FCVB operations and regional tourism promotion. The county supports visitor services and tourism infrastructure development.
• South Mountain PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Mountain Partnership supports FCVB's ongoing initiatives, focusing on conservation, outdoor recreation, and sustainable tourism development in the South Mountain region spanning Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties.
• Chesapeake Bay Funders NetworksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCBFN provides continued support for FCVB programming, with focus on environmental education and conservation-related tourism initiatives in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Visit Hershey & Harrisburg: Larger PA destination marketing organization covering Dauphin/Hershey region — comparable county/regional DMO model but with substantially larger brand recognition, staffing, and budget (Hersheypark anchor).
• VisitPA: State-level tourism office for Pennsylvania — operates one tier above FCVB as the umbrella DMO that funds and co-markets with county-level bureaus like FCVB.

Direct peers

• Destination Gettysburg: Official DMO for Adams County, PA — directly comparable as a small Pennsylvania county CVB anchored on Civil War/heritage tourism, Chambers of Commerce partnerships, themed trail publications, and event programming.
• Harpers Ferry Convention & Visitors Bureau: DMO for Harpers Ferry, WV — small heritage-tourism focused CVB promoting Civil War, John Brown, and Appalachian Trail visitor experiences, directly comparable to FCVB's history-and-outdoors positioning.
• Visit Loudoun: DMO for Loudoun County, VA — county-level CVB of comparable profile focused on rural/heritage wine-country tourism with themed trail programs and event-driven marketing.
• Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau: CVB for Washington County, MD — small adjacent-market DMO with comparable Civil War heritage, outdoor recreation, and small-staff operating profile.
• Discover Lancaster: Official DMO for Lancaster County, PA — county-level CVB of similar scope promoting heritage (Amish/PA Dutch), agritourism, themed trails, and signature events in a rural Pennsylvania county.
• Visit Frederick: DMO for Frederick County, MD — adjacent Mid-Atlantic county CVB of similar size with Civil War heritage, agritourism (wine/breweries), trail programs, and event-driven marketing.
• Visit York PA: Official DMO for York County, PA — neighboring Pennsylvania county CVB with comparable heritage, outdoor recreation, and agritourism positioning, plus similar partnership structure.
• Visit Cumberland Valley: DMO for Cumberland County, PA — adjacent county to Franklin with similar small-staff profile, heritage trail programming, agritourism, and partnership model with county government.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/FCVB
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FranklinCountyVisit
• Facebookfacebook.com/FCVBen
• Instagraminstagram.com/franklincountytourism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ben-franklin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Franklin County Visitors Bureau