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Steering Visitors in the Right Direction

Steering Visitors in the Right Direction Chamber, CVB, EDC have distinct roles.

Visitors to Gillespie County and Fredericksburg are served by three organizations which each have distinct roles in the community.

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Information needed to make the most out of any Fredericksburg visit is readily available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center, 302 East Austin Street (one block north of Main Street across from the National Museum of the Pacific War).

The site offers free parking for vehicles, including RVs and buses, and public restrooms.

The building is home to both the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau and the Gillespie County Economic Development Commission.

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce is located next door at 306 East Austin Street in a historic home remodeled into an open business space.

The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau is a marketing, sales and service organization, funded by a portion of the city’s and county’s hotel/motel occupancy tax.

FCVB promotes Fredericksburg and Gillespie County as a leisure destination for group tours, reunions, weddings and meeting sites.

The FCVB staffs and operates the Visitor Information Center, which is open to assist visitors every day except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

In the center, visitors can watch a free, 10-minute video in the building’s 48-seat theater.

Visitors also can gather information on potential activities, accommodations and businesses of interest through magazines and brochures in the lobby area, including info on walking tours, historic sites, an events calendar,

The Visitor Information Center, which houses the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau, points visitors toward area attractions as well as coordinates publicity for the town to media outlets. It also has public restrooms on site.

city and county maps and driving trail maps.

CVB President and CEO Ernie Loeffler writes a weekly column in the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post. Members of his staff represent Fredericksburg at travel events around the globe.

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce works on business education, advocacy, communication and business-tobusiness assistance.

Catering to more than 900 members — a large amount for a town of roughly 12,000 — the Chamber works to create a positive business environment. Its staff coordinates events, volunteers and highlights accomplishments at its annual March banquet.

Chamber President and CEO Penny C. McBride also writes a weekly column in the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post.

Tim Lehmberg is executive director of the Gillespie County Economic Development Commission. He keeps his finger on the economic pulse of Gillespie County and helps recruit and ease the transition for new businesses who are right for the market to locate here.

The GCEDC is a collaborative partnership between the city and county and its mission is to encourage, enhance and promote managed economic development throughout the county. The GCEDC is governed by a board of directors with nine voting members.

Visitor Center Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau

302 East Austin Street Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Phone: 830-997-6523 or 1-888-997-3600 Email: visitorinfo@fbgtx.org www.visitfredericksburgtx.com

Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce

306 East Austin Street Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Phone: 830-997-5000 Email: penny@fbgtxchamber.org www.fredericksburg-texas.com

Gillespie County Economic Development Commission

302 East Austin Street Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Phone: 830-997-6523 Email: edc@fbgtx.org www.gillespiecountyedc.com Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Phone: 830-997-5000 Email: penny@fbgtxchamber.org www.fredericksburg-texas.com

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