Convention & Visitors Bureau vs. Chamber of Commerce: What's the Difference?

If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a Chamber of Commerce and a Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), you're not alone. While the two organizations often work together to strengthen a community, they serve different purposes and have unique missions.

Chamber of Commerce: Supporting Local Business

A Chamber of Commerce exists to advocate for and support the local business community. Its primary focus is helping businesses succeed by providing networking opportunities, educational resources, business promotion, and advocacy on issues that impact the local economy.

Typical Chamber of Commerce responsibilities include:

• Supporting and promoting local businesses.

• Hosting networking events and business education programs.

• Welcoming new businesses through ribbon cuttings and grand openings.

• Advocating for policies that benefit the business community.

• Encouraging economic growth and workforce development.

Simply put, a Chamber of Commerce works primarily for the businesses that call the community home.

Convention & Visitors Bureau: Bringing Visitors to Town

A Convention & Visitors Bureau has a different mission: attracting visitors and encouraging overnight stays. The goal of a CVB is to market the community as a destination for leisure travelers, tour groups, sporting events, conventions, reunions, and other tourism opportunities.

Typical CVB responsibilities include:

• Marketing the community to potential visitors.

• Promoting local attractions, events, restaurants, shopping, and lodging.

• Assisting visitors with travel information and trip planning.

• Working with event organizers to bring tournaments, conferences, and special events to town.

• Showcasing the community through advertising, social media, blogs, photography, videos, and travel publications.

Tourism may seem simple, but its impact reaches every corner of the community. When visitors stop in town, they often purchase fuel, eat at local restaurants, shop in local stores, stay overnight in hotels, and explore attractions. Those visitor dollars help support local businesses and contribute to the overall health of the local economy.

Different Roles, Shared Goals

Although their responsibilities are different, Chambers of Commerce and CVBs often collaborate on projects that benefit the entire community.

A Chamber focuses on helping businesses thrive from within the community.

A CVB focuses on bringing new people into the community to experience everything it has to offer.

One supports the businesses already here. The other works to bring more customers through their doors.

Why It Matters

Strong communities need both organizations.

A thriving business community creates a welcoming place for residents and visitors alike, while successful tourism introduces new people to the community, supports local businesses, and generates economic activity that benefits everyone.

At the end of the day, both organizations share the same vision: creating a vibrant, successful community. They simply approach that goal from different directions—one by supporting local businesses and the other by inviting the world to discover what makes the community special.

Whether you're opening a business, planning a visit, or simply looking to learn more about your community, knowing the difference helps you understand the important role each organization plays in helping our town grow.