Grow where you are PLANT ED
It all starts with a seed
Grow Where You Are Planted is not just a marketing theme, it has been in mantra in our office. We focus on the best assets of the area and highlight what visitors are looking for: memorable experiences. Coupled with our mission to market Ashtabula County as a destination for travelers and tourists, the Visitors Bureau is committed to quality tourism industry growth.
In 2023 we added a new satellite office, new staff, and new marketing campaigns to better tell YOUR story. The number of visitors is growing, the number of tourism-related jobs is growing, and our ranking as a desired destination is growing!
The biggest change this year was folding in the Welcome Center operations at Geneva-on-the-Lake in tandem with a Lake Life marketing campaign to promote the Village as a vacation destination. The seed was planted several years ago and considered a long-term goal. But under the right conditions, that seed quickly grew and flourished.
Work to elevate the Grand River Valley Winery Region has resulted in increased media coverage and visitor numbers. Our stake is firmly planted as Ohio’s Wine Country. Marketing campaigns are reaching new audiences. Our social media accounts are hitting milestones and are filled with engaging content.
We are motivated to plant several seeds and nurture some of our small ideas with plans for them to flourish and grow. We are thinking big, but starting small. You can expect to see our marketing initiatives grow, a new CVB main office location, new website, and new partnerships that will expand visitation.
Our roots are deep. As we continue to branch out, the CVB is strengthened and supported by the tourism community that we serve.
We encourage you to grow with us!
Stephanie Siegel Executive Director
Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau
What We Do
The Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization. We are here to share all the amazing reasons to Visit, Live, Work, and Play in northeast Ohio. By viewing our home through the eyes of visitors, we are able to help them discover experiences and make memories.
Marketing is simply storytelling. Our stories are written by our members. We paint pictures of what visitors can expect to find, using dynamic and modern digital tools coupled with traditional print, video, and photography.
We are a membership-based organization open to all businesses where visitors can eat, play, or stay. Our members can access tools, training and resources to help them improve and build their individual marketing efforts. Cost begins at FREE.
Customer service drives us. Our team is results-driven and we are constantly seeking out the next best way to attract and inspire travel to Ashtabula County and the surrounding region.
A Year in Review
Geneva-on-the-Lake Office Renovations & Operations
I-90 State Welcome Center Collaboration with Ohio
Grand River Valley Branding Initiative
Trails: Family Fun, Covered Bridges, GRV Wine Pass
Comprehensive Media Coverage
LAKE LIFE Mural Installation
Member Training Programs
Social Media Influencer Visits
Ruby Awards - Ohio Travel Association
Holidays in the Village Cookie Walk
Tourism Summit with Destination Development Expert, Roger Brooks
Eclipse 2024
market Ashtabula County as a destination for travelers and tourists
Annual Printed 84-page Travel Guide
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, & Threads
www.VisitAshtabulaCounty.com
Television Commercials
Digital Advertisements
Print Advertisements
Professional Photography & Videography
Mailings & Email Newsletters
Blogs & Content Creation
Marketing Education Seminars
Marketing Campaigns
Travel Writers & Influencers
Ohio Tourism, Ohio Travel Association, ODNR, ODOT, Ohio Wine Producers, Ohio Grape
Industry Committee, & More
Economic Impact Studies & Tools
Destination Marketing Training
Industry Advocacy
Cost-Sharing Initiatives
Representation at State & Regional Levels
In partnership with the Village of Geneva-on-the-Lake and the GOTL Visitors Bureau Board, our office will continue to lead marketing initiatives focussed on driving guests to the popular lakefront town.
Operations of the seasonal Welcome Center are May through September with additional pop-up dates for events. We hope this serves as a model for other communities to emulate in the future.
Enhancing the Visitor Experience
Tourism by the Numbers
TOTAL an integral and driving component of the local economy
$682 million economic impact
Tourism Supports
4,009 JOBS
1 of every 11 jobs in the County
$397 million
TOTAL IN LOCAL
Ashtabula County IS HOME TO 521
LODGING PROPERTIES
Average Spend per Tourist
$115 / DAY TRIP $343 / OVERNIGHT 13%
Data sourced from bi-annual economic impact studies provided by Tourism Economics, Longwoods International, and Placer AI. willopenin AshtabulaCounty inthenextyear
Visitor Spending IS UP
$1,103 visitor spending
*New data available July 2024
TOURISM-GENERATED TAXES SAVE EACH HOUSEHOLD
Ashtabula County Lodging Tax
**These numbers reflect the the portion of the County bed tax received by the ACCVB, not total County collections.
Tourism is a diverse composite of
In Full Bloom
In 2023, the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau captured an unprecedented SIX RUBY Awards and FIVE Citations of Excellence from the Ohio Travel Association.
RUBY Awards "Recognize Uncommon Brilliance Yearly." These coveted prizes span the travel industry across the state and delineate outstanding work.
RUBY Awards
Travel Guides
2023 Getaway Guide
Spirit of Community
GOTL Welcome Center
Television Advertisement Ice Wine Festival
Annual Report
2023 Annual Report
Print Media
GOTL Fun Guide & Map
Digital Campaign Influencer Program
Citations of Excellence
Marketing Campaign Ice Wine Festival
Innovation in Travel Marketing Artificial Intelligence Artwork
Promotional Video Ice Wine Festival
Social Media Campaign Look Before You Book, Lodging Campaign
Radio Advertisement Spotify - Road Trip Campaign
Ohio Wine Country
For several years, the Lake County and Ashtabula County Visitors Bureaus have partnered to promote the Grand River Valley winery region with great success trademarking the area as Ohio's Wine Country.
This messaging has led a large majority of our marketing efforts, resulting in an exponential increase in visitor engagement, media, and overall visitation. The initiative continues with an emphasis on the wineries, vineyards, and attractions in the surrounding region.
A combined $1 million in American Rescue Act Funds have been earmarked by the two counties to further promote the Grand River Valley. Advertising and marketing efforts have integrated. In the coming years, a series of robust campaigns will be launched promoting Northeast Ohio's viticulture region. The Conneaut Creek appellation will soon join this campaign as it receives proper Federal recognition as a premier grape-growing region.
An estimated 750,000 guests visited the 30+ area wineries in 2023, significantly impacting area tourism and driving overnight stays. With Lake Erie as our backdrop, the unique experiences in the Grand River Valley continue to inspire return visits for people to EAT, STAY, & PLAY.
Cheers from our Team
Siegel Executive Director
Jennifer Downey Tourism Manager
ACCVB Executive Committee
Jenny Luhta, President
Jim Hockaday, Vice President
Bill Holden, Secretary
Andrea Bushweiler, Treasurer
Brett Bellas
Mark Brockway
Jennifer Diehl
Shane Gelfer
Charlene Horgan
Cindy Lindberg
Thomas Michel
Jeff Orloff
Amanda Tirotta
Meg Chiappone Tourism Specialist
Stephanie
Brandi Braun Business Office Manager
Margaret Price Public Relations Manager
Lloyd Marketing Manager
Root EachforOther
EDUCATION
2023 Road Show: Social Media for Small Businesses. Free small group training held at Conneaut, Ashtabula Harbor-Topky, and Andover libraries.
ACCVB contracted marketing expert, Roger Brooks of Destination Development, for a Grand River Valley regional assessment and Tourism Summit training.
ACCVB staff met with over 100 members to assist with marketing campaigns, design services, branding, and PR development.
ACCVB presented to 37 groups, businesses, schools, and legislators about the value of tourism and the positive impact that it has on our economy.
Jennifer Downey graduated from the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy.
Meg Chiappone enrolled in the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy.
Are YOU Getting the Most Out of Your Membership?
Brochure Mailing Program
Look Before You Book Small Lodger Promotions
Availability of Printed Materials: Travel Guides, Winery Guides, Maps
Promotional Trails and Passes
Professional Photography Co-op
Influencer Marketing Cost-Sharing
Representation at State Tourism Initiatives
Educational Opportunities
Resources & Supplies
Graphic Design Services
Social Media Content Creation
Discount on Travel Guide Advertising
Exposure to Travel Writers
E-Newsletter Design
Legislative Advocacy
Media Relations
Staff Training
