Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau Honored as DMO of the Year at the TACVB Conference

The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) proudly announces its recognition as the Destination Management Organization (DMO) of the Year at the 2023 Annual Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (TACVB) conference. Held this week in College Station, the conference celebrated the remarkable achievements and contributions of travel industry leaders throughout Texas.

The DMO of the Year award is a testament to ACVB's dedication to making a profound impact within the travel industry over the past year in Abilene. The ACVB has demonstrated its commitment to fostering growth in the tourism sector by achieving outstanding results in multiple areas. These include a significant increase in tourist numbers, the successful launch of innovative campaigns, and a successful tourism rebrand that captures the spirit of Abilene.

This year's tourism has boosted Abilene's economy with an impressive economic impact of $556 million, marking an increase of 15.1% from the previous year. Travelers have substantially contributed $46.1 million in tax revenue, an 8% hike, of which $15.3 million was garnered in local tax revenue, an 8.5% rise from travel-related purchases encompassing lodging, dining, shopping, and motor fuel. Tourism also supports the livelihoods of 3,820 hardworking Abilenians, marking a 7.3% increase from the previous year.

In addition to the DMO of the Year award, the ACVB also took top honors in the state in the Excellence Award in Meetings & Conventions Promotions category. The ACVB's promotion initiatives were geared towards attracting meetings and conventions to the city of Abilene, showcasing a cohesive and impactful theme that resonated with attendees. Among their standout initiatives was the "Make History" campaign. By spotlighting Abilene's central location, vibrant cultural district, and expert staff, the "Make History" campaign invites meeting planners to not just host an event, but to create a moment that stands timeless in the history of the city. This powerful narrative, coupled with captivating visual elements, positions Abilene distinctively as the prime destination for those aiming to create lifelong memories with their events.

The ACVB was also recognized with the second-place award for Excellence in Public Relations. This accolade is a testament to ACVB's adeptness in designing and executing campaigns that effectively targeted both niche markets and the broader travel audience. The campaigns demonstrated ingenuity, creativity, and an innovative use of various digital marketing channels, including websites, digital advertisements, email marketing, and social media platforms.

"I am deeply humbled by this recognition. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our ACVB Board of Directors, elected officials, and city leadership for their continued support. I would like to also acknowledge the phenomenal ACVB staff; their dedication is unmatched, and this honor belongs to them. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and our esteemed colleagues across the state for this honor,” said Robert Lopez, Vice President, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, please visit www.abilenevisitors.com.

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Photo: Tiffany Nichols, Director of Sales and Sports, ACVB; Robert Lopez, Vice President, ACVB; David Waller, Director of Communications, ACVB