Grand re-opening of the area’s ‘front door’; 20 years in for Convention and Visitors Bureau

HUNTSVILLE – After seven months temporarily working out of a Bank Independent building, the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau returned to its renovated home and held a grand re-opening Tuesday.

The re-opening also coincided with the 20-year anniversary of when the CVB opened its offices to the public. Local administrators and leaders gathered at Huntsville’s new Visitor Center/CVB offices on Church Street to celebrate the occasion. 

“How many of you have had those experiences of having somebody come visit here and after they finished visiting, you put ’em in their car or you took them to the airport, dropped ’em off, and the last thing they said was ‘I had no idea,’’’ Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said. “That is what happens time and time again, and this visitor center is the springboard to telling our story.

“So somebody can come in and they can see the Space and Rocket Center that they need to go see or they see on the video boards the downtown area or Lowe Mill or something else that will bring their attention and make them say when they leave, ‘Wow, I had no idea.’ That’s what this place is made of. It’s made of dreams.”

Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon, CVB President and CEO Jennifer Moore, and City of Huntsville’s Brenda Martin joined Battle as speakers at the event. CVB workers and board members were also on site and were recognized.

“This (place) to me is kind of like welcoming people to Madison County and the Huntsville area,” McCutcheon said. “This is our front door. Come on in, be at home.”

Moore has been with the CVB for 20 years. She also serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Northern District VP of the Alabama Travel Council and on the Leadership Team for the Tennessee Riverline.

“We have an amazing community with wonderful amenities, great attractions and beautiful outdoor spaces,” Moore said. “I encourage you to invite people to visit and experience firsthand what makes our area special. And please ensure they make the visitor center their first stop while they’re here.”