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Grand Haven Area CVB reports growth in website users, outlines tourism marketing and ADA website grant
Summary
The Grand Haven Area Convention and Visitors Bureau told council its website users rose to 411,917 in 2024 from 261,979 in 2023, highlighted visitor spending estimates, and described a $30,000 matching Pure Michigan grant to make its site ADA compliant. The CVB emphasized coordination with local lodging and event partners and asked organizers to提交
Grand Haven — The Grand Haven Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) presented its annual update to the City Council on Oct. 6, reporting increased website traffic, outlining its marketing work, and describing a new matching grant to make the CVB website more accessible.
CVB Executive Director Marcy Cisneros told council the bureau’s website recorded 411,917 users in 2024, up from 261,979 in 2023, and that the organization manages an annual visitor guide, a monthly events newsletter and social media channels to promote the region. Cisneros said the CVB is funded primarily through a 2% assessment collected from qualifying lodging properties in the district and that the district’s cap is 5% under state law, though local increases require municipal approval by assessment payers in each participating municipality.
The CVB said it uses a mixture of organic SEO, direct traffic and social outreach to drive visitors to its site and highlighted its advertising and photography partnerships. Cisneros described the bureau’s grant: a $30,000 matching Pure Michigan Accessible Traveler Grant administered through Travel Michigan and the Michigan Strategic Fund, intended to help destination marketing organizations make their websites ADA compliant. The CVB expects the new website to launch in the fall following the grant-funded redesign.
Why it matters: The CVB’s work drives overnight stays and visitor spending that the bureau estimates contribute to local lodging, food and retail sectors. The CVB presented projections and an economic model that use assessment collection and tourism formulas to estimate overall visitor spending; councilors asked about coordination with local partners and how the CVB receives event information.
Coordination and operations: Cisneros said the CVB’s district includes Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, Nunica, Coopersville, Allendale and West Olive and that assessment payers include hotels, motels, vacation rentals and other lodging options. She said the bureau maintains a visitor center at 512 Washington Ave. and provides concierge‑style services — phone, walk‑in, email — to assist visitors.
Council questions and follow-up: Councilors asked how the CVB coordinates with the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street/DDA on event listings; Cisneros said the organizations are “fairly well connected” and that the CVB encourages event organizers to submit events through the bureau’s website. Councilors also praised the CVB’s photography and social media presence as a driver of the bureau’s large following.
Quote: “It is the mission of the Grand Haven Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote and market the Grand Haven area as a Midwest’s best overnight destination,” Cisneros said. She noted the CVB purchased its visitor center building in 2022 and continues monthly outreach materials to area businesses.
Ending: Councilors thanked Cisneros for the overview and for work to secure the accessibility grant; they encouraged continued coordination with lodging partners and downtown event organizers.
