About VISIT DENVER
In 1908, Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention. Recognizing the economic benefit that came from this meeting, some farsighted businessmen created a new agency that would come to be called VISIT DENVER.
VISIT DENVER is a private, nonprofit trade association that is responsible for marketing metro Denver as a convention and leisure destination. The Bureau is contracted by the City and County of Denver to act as the official marketing agency for Denver. It is governed by a board of directors, and employs a staff of more than 60 professionals. VISIT DENVER is funded from both private (membership, advertising, and sponsorship) and public sources (voter-approved lodging tax). In 2007, the Bureau had a budget of $14 million, which was derived from 2.75 percent of the lodger’s tax in the City and County of Denver, from advertising and private fundraising and from the membership fees the Bureau collects from its more than 1,100 business members.
2006 (most recent results available) was the best year ever for Denver tourism, with 11.7 million overnight visitors coming to the city, according to Longwoods International. The study, commissioned by VISIT DENVER, found that in 2006, metro Denver visitors spent a record $2.76 billion, which was up 13 percent over the $2.43 billion spent in 2005.
The Bureau uses a sophisticated integrated marketing approach to sell Denver as a travel destination, which includes direct sales, sales blitzes and telemarketing, advertising and direct mail, tourism and convention industry trade shows, Internet promotions, e-mail blasts, websites, podcasts, and e-newsletters, visitor guides and brochures, public relations and press tours, client familiarization tours and site inspections, and visitor information centers.
VISIT DENVER Foundation & Scholarship Program
VISIT DENVER Foundation is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization generously sponsored and supported by individuals and corporations in the Denver area and beyond. The Foundation’s goal is to promote the travel and tourism industry in the Denver metro area through activities and projects that enhance education, professional development and training for individuals interested in the hospitality industry.
VISIT DENVER Foundation holds two fundraising events each year to raise money for the foundation scholarship fund: VISIT DENVER Chairman’s Cup and Membership Open Golf Tournament and VISIT DENVER Tourism Hall of Fame Dinner.
Please visit the scholarship page for scholarship details and application forms.
For more information on how to become a member of VISIT DENVER and promote your business to visitors, please visit the membership section. For information on employment at VISIT DENVER, please visit the career center.