Vacaville's Visitors bureau reaching new milestones

Article Launched: 10/02/2005 08:01:38 AM



Visitors bureau reaching new milestones

By Tom Hall/Staff Writer

Office? Check. Staff? Check. Visitors guide and Web site? Check.

The Vacaville Conference and Visitors Bureau, born in April 2004, has reached a few new milestones, said Executive Director Antonette Eckert.

Wednesday saw the release of the VCVB's first visitors guide, a 38-page ode to all attractions Vacaville. The glossy guide includes basic Vacaville information, maps of the city and listings of local events, attractions and shopping spots.

Eckert said both content and presentation were important in developing the guide.

The bureau moved into its Parker Street office in late April. A short time later, Eckert hired several part-time employees so that the bureau could stay open during regular business hours.

With the Web site (www.vacavillenow.com) up and 10,000 copies of the visitors guide floating around city hotels, Eckert said steam is picking up for the group.

The plan is for another visitors guide in the spring, as well as a possible shopping and dining guide. Several surveys are being completed, as well. Two online surveys and one completed at the California State Fair over the summer gathered outsider opinions of Vacaville and why they would come here. A hotel survey for those staying in Vacaville is being wrapped up.

Those research ventures will help the VCVB start to market the city to vacationers, day-trippers and event planners, Eckert said.

"We don't want to be everything to everybody," she said. "We need to find our niche markets."

Tom Hall can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.