Awards & Accolades

Awards

RMCVB has won numerous awards over the years.  A few of our more recent awards include:

• Successful Meetings magazine - Annual Pinnacle Award (2003, 2004 & 2005)
• ConventionSouth Readers' Choice Award (2005 & 2006)
  
• Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine - Award of Excellence (2003, 2004 & 2005)
•  National Federation of Press Women - First Place for Newsletter (2005)
• Virginia Press Women - First Place for the RMCVB Newsletter, River City News (2005)
• Southeast Tourism Society Rising Star Finalist (2004) and Award (2005)
• Facilities and Destinations magazine - Top Destination Award (2004)
• National Federation of Press Women - Honorable Mention for Richmond Region Group Tour Manual (2004)
• Virginia Press Women - First Place for the Richmond Region Official Visitors Guide (2004)
• Virginia Press Women - First Place for the Annual Report (2004)
• Virginia Press Women - First Place for the Richmond Region Group Tour Manual (2004)
• Meetings & Conventions magazine - Gold Service Award (2003 & 2004)
• Meeting News - Planners' Choice Award (2003)

Accolades

The media, our clients and partners also have great things to say about working with us:

Local Partners

"Without our partnership with RMCVB we would not have known about the [Rollin on the River Street Party promotion for the Harley Davidson Owners Group Rally]. It really enables us to stay in the loop when it comes to visitors and conventions."
- Michelle Williams, Owner, Europa

"We've received inquiries and reservations from large coordinated parties from out of town as a result of our partnership. In all, it's increased exposure, and for a restaurant, that's essential."
- Amy Cabaniss, Owner, Julep's New Southern Cuisine

"We decided to participate in the [RMCVB Partnership Program] because we thought it would be the best way to access groups that are scheduled to come to town. Much of our business comes from business travelers. The ability to get to these potential customers before they come to town and are barraged with our competitors' advertising is a great benefit."
- Matt Simmons, President, Capital Ale House

"When we call clients to let them know we created the basket sent by the CVB, we always hear how wonderful the gift was. For us, the partnership is really about planting seeds. We let planners know that there are people here interested in helping them even before they arrive."
- Ann Powell, President/Owner, Taylor Made For You

"There is something remarkable and unique about RMCVB. For one thing, you don't belong to it -- it belongs to you. It is not an organization whose 'membership benefits' amount to no more than having your name on a mailing list and receiving monthly newsletters. I have found our partnership extremely valuable in kicking-off Can Can's success."
- Nel Bockelman, Marketing Director, The Restaurant Co./Can Can Brasserie

Meeting Planners

"I have worked with CVBs across the country, and I would rank the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau at the top! Their dedication to their customers impressed me. Not only were you welcomed, you were wanted. The RMCVB had a very sincere staff and was easy to work with. No question about it, I would recommend RMCVB to other meeting planners."
- Ed Goldwasser, 2006 Convention for the Jewish War Veterans

"I have been impressed by the RMCVB in the professionalism that their office exhibits, always willing to go the extra mile and find out what you need and make sure that it happens. I have recommended to all of my other affiliates to make sure that they go through the RMCVB for their upcoming conferences."
- Lynette Banks-Harris, President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

"In my 19 years of event planning for the Conference, this has been by far the most enjoyable. Your willingness to help make the necessary arrangements for selection of a site has impressed me. In the past, I have done all of the work with very little assistance from other CVBs. Thank you so much for your assistance, guidance, and expertise."
- Rev. Leon M. Poe, Chairperson, Midwest Missionary Baptist Youth Conference

"As a meeting planner, I found working with the RMCVB, the Greater Richmond Convention Center, and related hotels to be a pleasant, pain-free experience. From the beginning stages of the process, when negotiations were going on, the people with whom I was dealing were very responsive to ABWA's needs and to my requests. Their demonstrated attitude was one of willingness to work together, and this was maintained up to and through the convention itself."
- Betty Burns, Convention Manager, American Business Women's Association

Tour Operators

"RMCVB and the Richmond Region members are some of the finest professionals in tourism. They provided our staff with outstanding assistance in developing quality and educational tour packages. We could not have done this without their assistance and professionalism."
- John Frankenburg, The Tours Program, Inc.

Travel Writers

"Thank you so much for everything in Richmond!..Need to send a HUGE thanks for suggesting Happy & hooking me up with the Jefferson Hotel. You're the best!"
- Jeff Martinez, Southern Living

"I wanted to make sure you know just how much I appreciated your support during my recent Richmond trip. I loved the hotel, the food, your company - and the windows at Beth Ahabah!"
- Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, freelance writer

"Pick up your arm and pat yourself on the back for the terrific job you and your staff did for our Western Chapter meeting. We think it was one of the best we've ever had. We know all the work that goes into putting together a meeting, especially one as successful as yours, and thank you for all you did to make it happen."
- Barry and Hilda Anderson, freelance writers