Submitted photo Anne Beardslee, executive director of the Elkins-Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau, left, receiving an accreditation plaque from Annette Gavin Bates, president of the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus.

ELKINS — The state has signaled its approval to the tourism work done by a local CVB.

The Elkins-Randolph County Tourism Convention and Visitors Bureau has received a three-year accreditation by the WV Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus.

Before the organization can apply for accreditation, it must have a welcome center, full-time executive director, a comprehensive marketing plan, be an incorporated non-profit organization, a board of directors with tourism interests and annual reports.

“Most people do not understand that CVBs are highly monitored, constantly pursuing professional development and must supply extensive annual and budgetary reports to the state, county and municipalities that provide funding,” said Anne Beardslee, executive director of the CVB.

“We must spend a minimum of 40% of our funding on marketing 50 miles outside of our area. We work closely with the Department of Tourism on cooperative marketing and strategic planning. But most importantly we spend an inordinate amount of time studying travel trends, our market audience, and ways to work with the community to attract more travelers.”

“It is our responsibility to market Randolph County and our proficiency in accomplishing this task is what the accreditation team is evaluating,” Beardslee said.

Through legislation approved by the West Virginia House and Senate in 2022, all Convention and Visitor Bureaus in West Virginia must receive accreditation to be eligible for county and municipal funding.

Before this bill was passed, the Elkins-Randolph County Tourism CVB had already recognized the importance of accreditation to assure they were operating as good stewards of the funds they received, effective marketing partners and devoted to community and professional development.

In 2019, shortly after opening the Elkins-Randolph County Tourism CVB, the organization received their first three-year accreditation from the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, according to a CVB press release.

Since that initial accreditation, the process has become “exceedingly comprehensive and lengthy, thus requiring a more extensive report, more stringent requirements and demonstrated professionalism and planned marketing,” the release states.

“After completing the most recent application process the CVB was awarded accreditation effective until the end of 2028.”

In addition to the work done for marketing, the CVB operates the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

“With the collaboration of volunteers and professional staff , since 2006, the Center has greeted over 600,000 visitors,” the release states.

The Welcome Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.