About FACVB

"Tourism has grown into one of the state’s largest industries. Annually, over 45 million people visit North Carolina and generate more than $15.4 billion. Tourism directly employs over 187,000 North Carolinians with a payroll of almost $4 billion." -- www.nccommerce.com

Get to Know the FACVB

Vision
Staff
Board of Directors
Awards
Area Stats

Our Mission
To position Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, tournaments, and individual travel. 

We are a full-service convention and visitors bureau. The Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization funded by a sales occupancy tax. We assist leisure travelers, meeting planners, group tour operators, media and military reunion planners. Our staff serves as a liaison between visitors and our local hospitality industry.

We operate three Visitor Information Centers. Our main office, at 245 Person Street is open to visitors Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Our satellite office, located a few blocks from the main office is within the brand new Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum. This office is open from 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Our newest satellite office is located in the customer service area of Cross Creek Mall. This office is open Monday and Thursday 10 am – 1 pm, Wednesday and Thursday 3 pm – 8 pm, Friday 4 pm – 8 pm, and Saturday 1 pm – 7 pm. All three centers are minutes from I-95. For more information call 800-255-8217.

Each week more than 1,500 visitor guides are distributed to guests and newcomers to the Fayetteville area. The Bureau must be doing a good job: a recent visitor survey showed that 72 percent of visitors would recommend the Fayetteville area to their friends.

The Brand Promise: Fayetteville/Cumberland County rekindles and reawakens the American spirit in every corner of the community.

The Brand Personality: Patriotic.


FACVB Vision
We strive to be the leading destination authority by supporting and marketing the Fayetteville/Cumberland County branded visitor experience and advocating community tourism benefits.

FACVB Staff Vision
To be the voice for and to the visitor. We will strive to have a working environment that fosters individual and organizational growth in an open, honest, and challenging atmosphere. Lastly, we will adhere to the following values and guiding principles:

  • Collaborative
  • Customer-Centric
  • Community Engaged
  • Professional
  • Ethical
  • Committed to spread our All-American story

Staff

Administration
John Meroski, President & CEO

Sales
The FACVB Sales Department stands ready to assist you with your needs with planning your special event. Should you have any questions or if we can be of assistance in any way, please feel free to contact us at 888-98-HEROES or at one of our emails listed below.

Myron Jones
FACVB Director of Sales
Markets: Military & Military Reunions,
State Associations, Fraternal & Minority

Caroline Powers
FACVB Sales Manager
Markets: Religious and Sports

Teri Rust
FACVB Sales Coordinator
Markets: Social and Group Tours

Visitor Services
To service visitors on all the great American happenings in Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

Tammy Johnson, Office Administrator
Betty Davis, Visitor Services Coordinator
Anna Marr, Satellite Information Centers Supervisor
Brian Hill, Administrative & Marketing Assistant
Beulah Johnson, Cross Creek Mall Visitor Services
Suzie Vinson, Cross Creek Mall Visitor Services
Tonita Stephenson, Office Assistant
Pamilia McRae, Office Assistant
Barbara Fugara, Office Assistant
Ray Pfaff, Transportation Museum Office Assistant
Cardell Hunt, Cross Creek Mall Visitor Services
Lois Croxton, Cross Creek Mall Visitor Services
Martha McKoy, Transportation Museum Office Assistant


Marketing
The Marketing Department manages communication and PR strategies that support group and leisure travel sales and service.
Melody Foote, Director of Marketing
Katherine Miller, Hospitality Communications Manager
Angie Abrams, Tourism Development Manager
Lisa Ennis, Information Manager




Board of Directors
Subodh Thakur, Chairman
Regency Inn
521 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301

Charles R. Wellons, II, Vice Chair
Wellons Realty
PO Box 766
Spring Lake, NC 28309

James Martin, Secretary
Manager, County of Cumberland
PO Box 1829
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Henry Holt, Treasurer
Holt Oil Company
PO Box 53157
Fayetteville, NC 28305

Diane Wheatley, Commissioner
County of Cumberland
PO Box 1829
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Dale Iman, City Manager
City of Fayetteville
433 Hay Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301

John Keefe
Keefe Properties
5833 Woodhaven Circle
Fayetteville, NC 28311

John Mitchell
5901 Panelway Place
Fayetteville, NC 28304

Chintan Patel
Knight's Inn
2848 Bragg Boulevard
Fayetteville, NC 28303

Paul Beard, Interim CEO
Coliseum Complex
1960 Coliseum Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28306

Awards

 

2008 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
Destination Marketing Association of NC (formerly NCACVB)
Platinum Award - Best Local Constituent Communications - 2007/2008 Business Plan
Platinum Award - Advertising - Group Advertising Program

2008 Awesome Innovation Award
Destination Marketing Association of NC (formerly NCACVB)
Best Bureau Community Relationships - Welcome Center Marketing Committee

2007 Addy Awards Raleigh-Durham Chapter
Silver: Print Campaign
Silver: Military Groups Direct Mail
Silver: Direct Mail Campaign

2007 Bronze Adrian Award from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
Category: Advertising  Sub-category: Positioning
Advertising Campaign

2007 STS Top 20 events
Southeast Tourism Society
2007 Dogwood Festival
2007 Operation Celebrate Freedom
2007 International Folk Festival


2007 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
North Carolina Association of CVBs
Platinum Award - Best Destination Marketing Initiative - Brand Standards Guide
Platinum Award - Best Niche Marketing Piece

2007 Awesome Innovation Awards
North Carolina Association of CVBs
Best Stakeholder Relationships - Hospitality Training Program
Best Bureau Community Partnerships - Education Reception

2006 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus
Platinum Award ~ Best Newsletter/Constituent Communication ~ Freedom Flyer
Platinum Award ~ Best Destination Marketing Initiative ~ E-Marketing Program
Gold Award ~ Best Destination Marketing Initiative ~ I95 Billboards

2006 Preserve America Designation / Fayetteville, NC
Preserve America Communities and Neighborhoods

2006 STS Top 20 events
Southeast Tourism Society
2006 Dogwood Festival
2006 International Folk Festival

2005 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus
Gold Award - Destination Marketing Initiative ~ Golf Marketing Plan

2005 STS Top 20 events
Southeast Tourism Society
2005 International Folk Festival

2005 Awesome Innovations Awards
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus
Local Stakeholder Relations ~ Community Branding
Community Partnerships - Tourist TV

2004 Readers Choice Award
Convention South Magazine

2004 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Platinum Award ~ Website ~ www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com
Gold Award ~ Publications~ Fayetteville Area Destination Guide

2003 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Platinum Award ~ Public Relations ~ "Festival of Flight Celebrates History & Future of Aviation"
Gold Award ~ Trade Print Advertising Campaign ~ "Something's Going on in Fayetteville..."

2002 RISING STAR AWARD
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus

2002 Destination Marketing Achievement Awards
North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Gold Award ~ Trade Print Advertising Campaign ~ "Fayetteville's Got Bragging Rights"

2001 Shining Example Award/ Bureau of the Year
Southeast Tourism Society

Area Stats

Nightlife Options 47
Sports Bars 13
Comedy Clubs 1
Dance Clubs 10
Scottish Pub 1
Irish Pubs 7
Weekly Open Mics 6
 
Live Theater Groups: 5
(includes Methodist and FSU)
 
Professional Sports Teams: 4
 
Public Events Each Year 500+
Annual Festivals 12
Annual Parades 7
Parks 55
 
Area Golf Courses 17
Driving Ranges in the immediate area 10
 
Sites for:
Autoracing (indoor/outdoor) 3
Baseball/softball 24
Basketball 23
Boating & Fishing 4
Bowling 6
Boxing 1
Football 5
Hockey 3
Lacrosse 2
Laser Tag 1
Miniature Golf 2
Paintball 1
Raquetball 4
Rock Climbing (Indoor) 2
Shooting 2
Skateboarding 2
Skating (ice & floor) 4
Soccer 6
Swimming 2
Tennis 14
Track & Field 19
Volleyball 4
Wrestling 2
 
Museums: 9
 
Places to See Art 11
Places to Purchase Art 10
 
Outdoor Music Venues 4
 
Movie Theaters 5
Movie Screens 44
 
Shopping Centers: 18
Stores (does not include grocery stores) 978
Antique Stores 19
 
Restaurants: 506
Chinese 43
Fast Food 225
German 4
Greek 4
Italian 33
Japanese 7
Korean 4
Mexican/Latin 18
Southern Cooking 22
Steak Houses 10
Sushi 10
Thai 2
Vietnamese 1
 
Coffee Houses 16
 
Meeting Space Sq Ft at Cumberland County Hotels 90,575
Meeting Space Sq Ft at the Crown Center 100,000+
 
Total Lodging (hotels, extended stay, campgrounds, etc.): 78
Hotel Rooms: 5339
Hotels: 62
RV Camp sites 187
Tent Camping Sites 13+
Cabins 4
 
Walking Nature Trails 4+
Linear Park, Cape Fear River Trail, All American Trail (others at BG)
 
Botanical Garden 1
Rose Garden 1
 
National Landmarks 1
 
Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places 66
 
State Highway Historic Markers 44
 
Historic Districts in Cumberland County 8
 
Historic Churches (older than 100 years old): 38
 
Churches/Houses of Worship: 650+
(total includes historic churches)
 
Colleges/Universities: 3
College/University Branches on Post: 13
 
# of Ancestries claimed in Cumberland County 27
# of races in Cumberland County 18
figures according to US Census Bureau American Community Survey
 
Municipalities: 8
 
Population of Godwin: 112
Population of Falcon: 328
Population of Fayetteville: 168,033
Population of Hope Mills: 11,237
Population of Linden: 127
Population of Spring Lake: 8,098
Population of Stedman: 664
Population of Wade: 480
Population of Eastover: 1,376


Also home to Fort Bragg, the largest US military installation by population.