Billings’ newest competitive marketing tool continues to boost visitor growth. Last October, the Billings Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) began adding a simple $0.75 assessment on each occupied room at Billings’ hotels and motels. This money, while managed by the Billings Chamber/CVB, is a marketing investment that is governed by the TBID oversight board. TBID dollars are spent, with TBID Board oversight, by the local Convention Visitor’s Bureau in order to recruit more visitors to the area. These visitors help boost the local economy by increasing non-resident spending. The assessment was officially implemented in Billings on October 1, 2007.
Prior to the TBID, Billings had a budget of $200,000 per year to use to recruit conventions and events that draw visitors to the area. This was as much as $500,000 less than cities like Bismarck, North Dakota and Cheyenne, Wyoming had to market their cities annually. The TBID enhances that CVB budget to approximately $650,000 per year. Many thanks to the leaders of this great new funding mechanism: the TBID Board of Directors.
Read the latest TBID newsletter
Shelli Mann, Chair
Boothill Inn & Suites
Steve Wahrlich, Vice Chair
Best Western Clock Tower Inn
Erin Kennedy, Secretary/Treasurer Hilton Garden Inn Billings
Cheri Milne Holiday Inn Grand Montana
Linda Gallagher Days Inn
Joyce Bratland
Best Western Kelly Inn & Suites
Chris Johnson Crowne Plaza Hotel
John Brewer
Billings Chamber/Convention & Visitors Bureau
