Member Benefits

There are many fantastic benefits to becoming a member of the Mat-Su CVB!

• Increase Sales
• Membership & Marketing Tools
• Networking & Educational Opportunities
• Tourism Leads
• Promotion & Exposure

More Reasons to Join:

Free Listing in the Visitor Guide
This 54-page, full-color magazine style guide is distributed to 100,000 potential visitors providing regional and member information for trip planning. Each member will receive a FREE business listing in the 2012 Visitor Guide. Click here for this year's advertising rate sheet and distribution information.

Free Website Listing
Each Tourism Development member receives a FREE listing and link on the Mat-Su CVB website, www.alaskavisit.com. Listings include two photos, a 170-character narrative, the ability post your amenities and more. Enhanced web listings are also available for a nominal fee, including "pop to the top" abilities.

Images
Are you looking for professional images of the Mat-Su Valley to use in a brochure or on your website? The Mat-Su CVB has an images available for members to use for FREE.

Free Brochure Placement
Place your brochure at the Mat-Su Visitors Center, located at Mile 35.5 Parks Highway close to the junction of the Parks & Glenn highways. The center operates seasonally, staffed by knowledgeable and trained information agents. More than 12,000 independent highway travelers stop at the Center each year.

Targeted Visitor Guide Distribution
The Mat-Su CVB mails 50,000 Visitor Guides to high potential visitor leads around the country and world. These leads are garnered from the State Vacation Planner database and direct inquiries. The Mat-Su CVB Visitor Guide is also distributed at high-traffic tourist destinations throughout the Valley and the state.

Fulfillment Leads
The Mat-Su CVB receives thousands of Visitor Guide requests each year. As a member, you have access via an instant e-mail delivery system to capitalize on these leads. When a site visitor opts to receive information from our members, an e-mail is generated (based on their interests) and sent to you, with the lead's contact information.

AlaskaHost Customer Service Training Program
The Mat-Su CVB offers customer service training with a certified AlaskaHost trainer on staff. AlaskaHost is a statewide and community based training program that emphasizes the importance of customer service. AlaskaHost is a partnership initiative designed to raise the standards of service throughout the state. 

    What will I learn from AlaskaHost?

• Understanding who your customers are
• The major components of the Visitor Industry (history and economic impact)
• The Importance of communication
• Making a positive first impression
• Becoming a better listener
• Serving customers with disabilities
• Handling dissatisfied customers

   How do I enroll in AlaskaHost?
         Contact the Mat-Su CVB membership department to reserve a space.  Classes are offered frequently.

This is a wonderful opportunity to offer your staff a refresher course on the importance of good communication and customer service skills. If you have any questions or would like more information about the class, please call Casey Ressler at 746-5037.

Mat-Su Availability Report System
All members receive FREE enrollment in the Mat-Su Availability System. The system allows businesses to post vacancies up to 7 days in advance, or at the last minute. The system allows visitors to find last minute accommodations and activities. Recognized as a Best Idea award recipient by the Western Association of CVB in 2007, the Mat-Su Vacancy System is available to all Mat-Su CVB members for free. The system was designed to help visitors find accommodations and activities in the Mat-Su area of their choice. Visitors can view vacancies posted for today and the following five days. The goal of the system is to assist visitors in finding vacancies in the Mat-Su Valley, encouraging visitors to extend their stay in the Valley.

Members are encouraged to enroll in Mat-Su Vacancy System.  Casey Ressler, Membership Manager, administers the set-up for members and then it's just a matter of posting vacancies on a daily or weekly basis. "The beauty of the Vacancy System is that members can post vacancies at the last minute. If someone gets a last minute cancellation, they now have an opportunity to try to fill those vacancies. And, the best thing about the System is that it helps to keep the bed tax dollars in the Valley," said Ressler.

Networking Opportunities
Monthly Membership Luncheons provide networking opportunities, speakers and information of interest to your business. Use the 290-member base of the Mat-Su CVB to help market your product. Member mailing lists are available to members in electronic format for FREE.

Familiarization (FAM) Tours
The Mat-Su CVB hosts tour operators and travel writers year-round. Members have the opportunity to participate in hosting FAM tours/travel writers visiting our area.

Advertising Benefits
The Mat-Su CVB advertises the region in a variety of publications and websites including the Alaska State Vacation Planner, visitor guides for the Anchorage and Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Milepost, AAA, North to Alaska, Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Magazine, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Trailer Life magazine and Alaska.com.

Marketing Research
The Mat-Su CVB conducts up-to-date research on visitor numbers and trends and other marketing information to assist in coordination of your marketing plans.

Membership Mailing List
Mat-Su CVB members may receive a complete list of all CVB members in electronic format for FREE. This list can be tailored to your specific request and broken down by region, classification, contact name, business name, etc.

Cooperative Marketing
The Mat-Su CVB provides opportunities for cooperative exposure: tradeshows, media, "spotlight on your business" and special events.

For more information about membership please call Justin Saunders, Membership Manager, (907) 746-5032 or justin@alaskavisit.com.