Welcome Center Opening Spring 2017!

The Union County Convention & Visitors Bureau is thrilled to announce plans to open a welcome center in historic uptown Marysville.

The welcome center was officially publicized with this press release early this week.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tina Knotts JANUARY 23, 2017 Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Ph: 937-642-6279

CVB to Open Welcome Center to Promote Continued Growth in Tourism

The Union County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has approved plans for the Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to open a welcome center this spring in historic Uptown Marysville. The welcome center will help drive continued growth in tourism. In 2015, tourism generated $110.9 million in business in Union County, according to TourismOhio.

Tina Knotts, tourism and marketing director for the CVB, said the welcome center, at 109 E. Fifth St., will serve visitors, business travelers and Union County residents and businesses looking for information about events, tourist attractions, restaurants and lodging.

“Through our engagement with visitors at the welcome center we will generate more overnight stays and business for local restaurants, merchants and attractions,” Knotts said. “This will have a significant impact in growing our local economy for the benefit of Union County residents,” Knotts said.

Located in the Uptown Marysville business district, the welcome center will be centrally located for many community events. In addition, the center will provide meeting space for community organizations and a retail store that will sell products made in Union County and branded merchandise – such as apparel, post cards and coffee mugs – that promotes Union County.

The CVB is operated by the Union County Chamber of Commerce, which will maintain offices at 227 E. 5th St., Marysville.

Ashley Schwyn, president of the Union County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said, "Our community has experienced consistent and strategic growth over the past several years. We believe the welcome center is another step in increasing our capacity to serve our community, its businesses and residents, and those who visit our amazing county."

CVB Board President Megan Colwell said, “Sizeable growth in our local tourism industry will sustain the welcome center, and the center will enable us to continue attracting more visitors, who will spend money at Union County businesses and attractions.”

The CVB is funded by a lodging tax on overnight stays at hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts in Union County. Income from this tax increased nearly 75 percent from 2010 to 2015.

TourismOhio reported that in 2015 tourism generated $110.9 million in business activity in the county and $3.2 million in local taxes.

Eric Phillips, chief executive officer of the Chamber, said, “In addition to supporting continued economic growth, the welcome center aligns with the Uptown Revitalization Plan that was developed and approved by the City of Marysville and the Union County Community Improvement Corporation to provide our community a vibrant downtown business district.”

Phillips added that the new welcome center, like any new business, will increase foot traffic and sales for other Uptown shops and restaurants.

The welcome center will be staffed by existing paid CVB staff and unpaid volunteers. Initially the center will maintain special office hours to support local events, holidays and times of high travel volume. Eventually the center will offer full-time hours.

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