Message from the CEO

The Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (RMCVB) celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year.

RMCVB came into existence with the help of the forward thinking individuals from Richmond Renaissance in 1982. In 1982, the newly formed non-profit Richmond Renaissance, with the goal to stimulate economic growth for the Region, consulted with Dr. Hunt and reviewed all that the Region had to offer.  By September of 1982, Dr. Hunt determined that the Richmond Region had the potential to compete with other destinations as a tourism gateway and convention location.  Founding members of Richmond Renaissance, Clarence Townes and Jim Remington armed with the Hunt Study hit the road and met with the City of Richmond and surrounding counties. Townes recalls Remington as a dynamic figure who came up with the RMCVBs first name ConTour, to represent Conventions and Tourism.  Between July and December of 1982 Townes and Remington traveled to each county and the city to present a slide show presentation of the proposed plan for a Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Townes and Remington educated the localities of the value of forming a cooperative Convention and Visitors Bureau. All jurisdictions joined forces and supported the idea of combined economic development and the formation of the independent organization called ConTour to market the City of Richmond, and counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico was formed. Today we are known as the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau and have become a world-class organization recognized with numerous awards from our industry. 

With over 5.5 million visitors annually, and hotel occupancy at a record level of 62.7% above last years occupancy of 60.5%, the Richmond Region is on the verge of becoming a major tourist destination.  In order to keep this number increasing, we will continue to promote the wonderful and numerous attractions that are available in the Richmond Region to our visitors and citizens.   

I encourage you to keep an eye on our Website for updates on the latest events in the Richmond Region.  As we go through the next year together, please feel free to contact me to share any comments or suggestions you may have as to how to make our destination the best ever!