OUR MISSION Visit Fort Wayne conducts marketing and sales programs to attract visitors to our destination’s convention and tourism facilities so that our community can derive the economic and social benefits of a prosperous tourism industry.
OUR VISION Fort Wayne is the best destination in the Midwest for conventions, trade shows, sports tournaments and family getaway trips. Visitors enjoy their stay because of the famous “Hoosier Hospitality” they experience during their visit to Fort Wayne.
“We came and stayed three nights. We were going to stay two nights but the family was having such a good time that we tacked on another! Hope to visit again in a year or two!”
OUR GOALS • Conduct sales and marketing programs to attract conventions, meetings and tournaments to Fort Wayne • Produce advertising campaigns to attract leisure visitors and travel media attention • Provide visitor information services to promote our community and industry partners • Provide leadership to grow our community’s economy and tourism industry
2016 Annual Report The Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau, dba Visit Fort Wayne, is a community and economic development organization. We are governed by a 21-member board of civic leaders, staffed by 14 professionals, and financed by both public entities and over 350 businesses, working together to attract more visitors to our destination.
Online Thank You Note
Our mission is to promote our city as a destination for conventions, trade shows, leisure visitors, and sports tournaments. We do this so that every business and resident can enjoy the economic and social benefits of a prosperous tourism industry.
NEW MARKETING IN 2016
New 501(c)3 Foundation Established
Tourism enhances our quality of life by generating new customers for places that residents enjoy, like attractions, arenas, ballparks, malls, restaurants, and festivals.
Increased Marketing for New Meetings
Please enjoy reading more about our accomplishments and plans for the future. Sincerely, Mike Nutter Fort Wayne TinCaps Chair, Visit Fort Wayne Board of Directors
Over 60 new 360º tours VISITOR AND TRAVEL CHARACTERISTICS
VALUE OF TOURISM
Where Visitors Come From
Expenditures by Visitor Type Per Day
According to VisitFortWayne.com visits, Visitors Center inquiries and ad responses, visitors come to Fort Wayne from the following states:
Lodging Guests.......................................................................... $133.29
Indiana....................... 54% Ohio............................. 9%
Visiting Friends & Relatives......................................................... $70.87 Day Trip Visitors............................................................................ $29.47
Expenditures by Type
Illinois........................... 8%
Food & Beverage.................... 34%
Michigan.................. 7.5%
Shopping.................................. 22%
Other...................... 21.5%
Over 5.8 million people visit Fort Wayne annually.
Transportation.......................... 18% Lodging..................................... 14%
Visitors by Trip Characteristics
Attractions/Entertainment...... 12%
Typical Travel Party................................................................ 3.2 people
This generates $38.9 million in tax revenues to local units of government.
Average Stay...............................................................................1.8 days First Visit to Fort Wayne............................................................... 44.2%
Visitors spend $576 million on a wide variety of goods & services.
Visitors by Travel Type Lodging Guests ........................44% Day Trip Visitors .........................25% Visiting Friends & Relatives .....20% Pass-Through Visitors ...............11%
927 S. Harrison Street, Suite 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 1-800-767-7752 • 260-424-3700
www.VisitFortWayne.com
Visitor spending sustains over 10,500 jobs in Allen County. Source: Economic Impact of Tourism in Allen County, Indiana Rockport Analytics and Indiana Office of Tourism Development