Parkersburg, WV (January 18, 2010) – The Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau will participate in 11 trade and travel related shows in 2010, beginning this week in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“Our good part of our winter/spring ‘shoulder’ season is spent marketing Greater Parkersburg as both a group and leisure vacation destination for our peek travel time, which is typically May-October,” Greater Parkersburg CVB President Steve Nicely said. “We experienced good feedback and inquires from many of the shows we attend last year and intend to participate in them again this year. We’ve added a few more group related shows to the schedule, but overall are maintaining the same presence.”

The bureau will participate in the following trade and travel shows in 2010:

Jan. 15-24                     Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show in Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 22-24                     AAA Great Vacation Expo in Columbus, OH|
Jan. 26-27                     Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland, FL
Feb. 19-21                     Heartland Travel Showcase in Pittsburgh, PA
Feb. 19-28                     Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show in Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 5-14                      Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show in Pittsburgh, PA
Mar. 6-7                        Adventures in Travel in Washington, DC

In addition, the CVB will be represented at four GLAMER (Group Leaders of America) shows in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh.  

“The audience is different for the GLAMER shows and focuses on tour planners who are looking for destinations to travel to with their groups,” said Nicely. “What we promote to them is slightly different then what is presented at public travel shows. The group travel shows provide us with a great deal more one-on-one interaction at the show and then following up afterward once a trip is booked in our region. Both types of shows are important to marketing this region as a leisure destination.

The CVB’s visitors guide along with a packet of partner brochures will be distributed at the travel shows. Fliers or media kits will be passed out at the trade shows to participants.

To learn more about the area and upcoming events, visit www.GreaterParkersburg.com

The Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau was organized in 1985 and is an independent, nonprofit corporation dedicated to strengthening the area's economy by marketing Greater Parkersburg as a destination for leisure travel, group tours, meetings and conventions. The Bureau is devoted to providing appropriate services for visitors and its partners.

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