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The WACVB Education & Research Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the future effectiveness of destination marketing professionals through research projects and learning opportunities focused on successful bureau management and marketing strategies.
CVB industry leaders created the foundation to conduct educational programs, provide scholarship grants, and sponsor DMO awareness and research projects associated with the visitor and convention industry.
WACVB Education & Research Foundation Fundraiser
Download Form
Raffle Tickets 1 ticket = $25 USD • 5 tickets = $100 USD
Phoenix • Sedona • Flagstaff • Grand Canyon • Tempe
Arizona, named the Grand Canyon State, is known as home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, in addition to many wonderful lesser-known canyons that are also quite grand. Visit the one and only Grand Canyon, as well as the beautiful Walnut Canyon of Flagstaff, the ravishing red rock Boynton and Oak Creek Canyons of Sedona, as well as the inspiring landscapes along the way.
2013 Western Road Trip Raffle -- Arizona’s Grand Canyon Adventure
The WACVB Education & Research Foundation will conduct a raffle drawing for the Grand Canyon Trip on September 20, 2013. You need not be present to win. Proceeds benefit the Foundation. Donations are tax deductible.
The trip itinerary includes a week-long adventure in Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and Tempe. The package includes roundtrip airfare to/from Phoenix and a rental car. All trip package components are for two (2) adults.
Days 1 and 2
Arrive Phoenix (two nights) Lodging: Hyatt Regency Phoenix
Activities: Desert Adventure, Museums, Dinner
Days 3 and 4
Drive to Sedona (two nights) Lodging: Sedona Rouge & Spa
Activities: Dinner at Sound Bites Grill, Sedona Trolley and Sedona Heritage Museum, Breakfast or Lunch at Ken’s Creekside, Golf at Sedona Golf Resort
Days 5 and 6
Drive to Flagstaff (one night) Lodging: Courtyard Marriott Flagstaff
Activities: Meteor Crater, Lowell Observatory and Museum of Northern Arizona At the Grand Canyon
Activity: Tickets for First-class Grand Canyon Railway Tour
Days 6 and 7
Drive to Tempe (two nights) Lodging: Buttes Marriott
Activities: Time to Relax, Dinner at the Buttes restaurant Top of the Rock
Day 7
Travel to Phoenix for departure
Raffle Funds Go Toward Scholarships and Research Grants
The WACVB Foundation offers several opportunities for DMO personnel to earn scholarships to attend training programs. Foundation scholarship information at www.wacvb.com. For 2013, the Foundation has partnered with Destination Analysts to assist DMOs in developing a profile of travelers who use Visitor Guides and estimate the ROI these official guides bring to their respective communities. The Foundation and Madden Media provided funds to support this research project in conjunction with discounted fees paid by participating DMOs.
 Valid trip dates: January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014. All trip package components are based on space availability; blackout dates apply.
Photo Credits: Grand Canyon Chamber & Visitors Bureau/Bill Brookins, Desert Botanical Garden/Adam Rodriguez and Tempe Tourism Office
WACVB Destination Marketing Tech Summit Scholarship Program | application download
Destination Marketing Tech Summit
April 17-19, 2013 • Mesa, Arizona
The Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) Education & Research Foundation is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for CVB (destination marketing organization) staff to earn scholarships for attendance to WACVB’s Tech Summit & Vendor Showcase. This educational conference brings together the West’s top destination marketing executives and staff. The Summit includes sessions on technology perspectives and strategies as they relate to distribution, marketing and member/customer/client service and lots of networking. Each scholarship includes WACVB Tech Summit registration fees, scheduled conference meals, travel, and lodging (room and tax only) expenses. Meals, activities, or incidentals not part of the Summit program will be the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.
The WACVB Education & Research Foundation Scholarship Committee will select up to four applicants as scholarship recipients who meet the following criteria:
- Applicant must be employed on a full-time basis, and for at least one year, at a local convention and visitors bureau (association, council, chamber) responsible for destination marketing.
- Applicant may not have received a previous scholarship to attend the WACVB Tech Summit.
- Bureau/organization must be financially unable to pay the registration fee and associated travel and lodging costs for the scholarship applicant. (No financial documentation required.)
- Scholarship recipients must attend the entire Tech Summit—barring any unforeseen emergencies.
- Scholarships are nontransferable. Recipient must complete the evaluation form provided by WACVB after the Summit.
The next scholarship application deadline is March 1, 2013. Recipients will be notified of their selection no later than 30 days prior to date of the WACVB Tech Summit.
Rosalind Williams Memorial Scholarship
For CEOs and Senior Staff Executives | application download
The WACVB Education and Research Foundation offers an exciting opportunity for convention and visitor bureau CEOs and senior staff executives to earn scholarships to attend executive training programs (e.g., human resources seminar on employee law, university classes, conferences, etc.). The executive training programs must be presented by professional organizations or accredited institutions.
The foundation established this memorial scholarship in honor of Rosalind Williams, former President & CEO of the Newport Beach (CA) Conference & Visitors Bureau.
The WACVB Foundation Scholarship Committee will evaluate and select or decline scholarship applications based on the following criteria:
- Applicant must be employed on a full-time basis, and have been so for at least one year with his/her current employer (e.g., a convention and visitors bureau/destination marketing organization located in the western United States or western Canada).
- Applicant must complete the scholarship application and provide program information for designated training programs (for programs other than those presented by the Western Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus). The executive training programs must be presented by recognized professional organizations or accredited institutions.
- Applicant may not have received a WACVB Foundation scholarship within the past three years.
The scholarship committee will determine the number of scholarships to be awarded and the amount of each scholarship. No scholarship grant will exceed $850. Scholarships are nontransferable. Scholarship recipients must attend the full program of the designated educational event—barring any unforeseen emergencies. A scholarship grant must be used within 24 months from date of recipient notification. Grants may be paid to the organization or institution sponsoring selected programs or as a reimbursement to the scholarship recipient.
The next scholarship application deadline is June 28, 2013. Each applicant will be notified of the Committee’s decision no later than 30 days after the application deadline.
WACVB Annual Conference Scholarship Program | application download
Annual Confernce
September 18-20, 2013 • Los Angeles/Universal City, California
This scholarship program offers a terrific opportunity for destination marketing organization CEOs and staff members to attend the WACVB Annual Conference. The conference brings together the West’s top destination marketing executives and staff for seminars on tourism, sales and marketing strategies, management issues, and abundant opportunities for networking. Each scholarship includes WACVB Annual Conference registration fees, scheduled conference meals, travel, and lodging (room and tax only) expenses. Meals, activities, or incidentals not part of the conference will be the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.
The WACVB Education & Research Foundation Scholarship Committee will select up to four applicants as scholarship recipients who meet the following criteria:
- Applicant must be employed on a full-time basis, and for at least one year, at a local convention and visitors bureau (association, council, chamber) responsible for destination marketing.
- Applicant may not have received a scholarship to attend the WACVB Annual Conference during the previous three years.
- Bureau/organization must be financially unable to pay the registration fee and associated travel and lodging costs for the scholarship applicant. (No financial documentation required.)
- Scholarship recipients must attend the full annual meeting program—barring any unforeseen emergencies.
- Scholarships are nontransferable. Recipient must complete the evaluation form provided by WACVB after the annual meeting.
The next scholarship application deadline is July 26, 2013. Recipients will be notified of their selection no later than 30 days prior to date of the WACVB Annual Conference.
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DMO visitor guide user and conversion study
For 2013, the Foundation has partnered with Destination Analysts, Inc. to assist DMOs in developing a profile of travelers who use DMO-published official Visitor Guides and estimate the Return on Investment these official Visitor Guides bring to their respective communities. The Foundation and a corporate sponsor, Madden Media, provided funds to support this industry research project in conjunction with discounted fees paid by selected DMOs for the core study group.
“Business of Bureaus” Learning Modules
Training Videos and Handouts Available in the Resource Library
As a major project for DMO professionals, sponsored by the WACVB Education & Research Foundation, is the Business of Bureaus training video modules. The video modules are designed as internal training tools for those new to the CVB profession or those who wonder how the other bureau departments function. If you want to see the “whole bureau” picture, you’ll want to view these video modules and related library materials. The video modules serve as valuable orientation resources for new staff or refreshers for other staff.
Video Modules
- Module 1: Media Relations & Community Relations
- Module 2: Leadership and Management
- Module 3: Marketing and Advertising
- Module 4: Sales (Conventions, Meetings, Sports & Leisure)
- Module 5: Services (Convention & Leisure)
- Module 6: Social Media
Special thanks to former Foundation Trustee Kari Westlund (Lane County), who coordinated the project and worked with Commotion Studios to edit the workshop content into several video modules that are available via streaming video at the WACVB Web site or on individual DVDs. In addition, materials in support of each video module have been added to the WACVB Resource Library.
For more information about the Business of Bureaus video modules, contact staff at info@wacvb.com or at (916) 443-9012.
The Business of Bureaus video production was underwritten by simpleview inc. Founded in 1991, simpleview provides strategic planning, custom-built Web sites, destination management and sales software, interactive marketing services and customer support to more than 175 DMOs in North America.
WACVB Education and Research Foundation
PRESIDENT
Bill Malone, President & CEO
Park City Chamber/Bureau
VICE PRESIDENT
Jennifer Wesselhoff, President & CEO
Sedona Chamber of Commerce
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Wes Rhea, Executive Director
Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau
PAST PRESIDENT
Kathy Smits, Vice President, International Tourism
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
TRUSTEES
Brad Burlingame, President & CEO
Visit West Hollywood
John Reyes, EVP & Chief Customer Officer
San Francisco Travel Association
Dale Lockett, President & CEO
Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Teresa Stephenson
WACVB Education and Research Foundation
950 Glenn Drive, Suite 150
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 443-9012
(916) 932-2209 fax
teresa@wacvb.com | info@wacvb.com
WACVB member bureaus are encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to the foundation. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and any contributions or donations made are tax-deductible.
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