The Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is the greater Madison area’s official destination management organization. The GMCVB is responsible for attracting new, destination events to the community as well as providing service and support to existing and repeat events, assisting motorcoach and group tour planners and providing comprehensive and friendly information to visitors to the area. The GMCVB operates under a traditional organizational structure, but the majority of our programs and activities involve cross-departmental teams and/or members and other friends of our industry. The GMCVB is entering its fourth decade of operation. Over the past 30 years, the GMCVB has played a variety of roles in the community from destination marketing leader, to event developer, to facility development advocate.
In 2001, it became apparent to our nation that tourism is a vital economic force in our country. The same holds true for Madison and Dane County. Tourism is one of the top three industries in Wisconsin. Visitor spending supports thousands of jobs and generates millions in tax revenues, which, in turn provide for our citizens and needs. Visitor spending, in Madison and Dane County, ranks second only to Milwaukee County. Tourism spending in Dane County has more than doubled in the past 10 years. This spending by non-residents keeps local property taxes at bay and supports our community by generating governmental revenues, job creation, supporting businesses our residents enjoy and more.