About the CVB
The Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official destination marketing organization for Forsyth, Georgia. We are responsible for promoting the city of Forsyth as an attractive destination and helping to develop it and the surrounding community as a dynamic place to visit.
Tourism greatly benefits the City of Forsyth and Monroe County and even creates jobs through direct employment and indirectly in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and transportation. When tourists spend their wages on goods and services, it leads to what is known as the “multiplier effect,” creating more jobs.
The tourism industry also provides opportunities for small businesses, which is especially important in rural communities, and generates extra tax revenues, such as hotel taxes, which are used for schools, housing and hospitals.
The Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau works hard for local businesses, with marketing efforts ranging from regional and national ad buying to radio spots, billboards, and earned media that share Forsyth’s story with new and diverse audiences.
Since its creation in 2015, the City of Forsyth CVB is primarily funded by local hotel-motel sales tax. The City of Forsyth collected hotel-motel taxes from 12 hotels and one KOA Campground, as well as AirBnbs. 42.85% of the hotel-motel tax goes to the City and CVB, and the remaining 14.28% to the Tourism Product Development.
The CVB’s Impact on Local Economy
In 2022, visitors spent $77.1 million in Monroe County:
$18.8 m
Lodging
$22.7 m
Food & Beverage
$11.2 m
Recreation
$12.4 m
Retail
$11.9 m
Transportation
In 2022, visitors generated $5.6 million in state and local taxes, which is equivalent to $554 in tax savings for every household in Monroe County!
In 2022, visitors spent $77.1 million in Monroe County:
7%
of county employment
$20.3 m
labor
income
24%
increase year-over-year
Source: TourismEconomics.com reports to State of Georgia, September 2023
CVB Leadership
Authority Members
Helen Walker – Chair
Paige Bryson – Vice–Chair
Sam Patel – Secretary / Treasurer
Lois Allen – City Council Representative
Sunny Patel
Tushar Patel
Bobby Melton – Attorney
Denise Buff
Leslie Waters
Greg Tapley
Staff
Gilda Stanbery – Executive Director/CEO
Phone: 478-974-1460
Email: gstanbery@cityofforsyth.com
Chelsea Bunn Kerr – Administrative Assistant
Email: cvbassistant@cityofforsyth.com
Tourism Partners
Local Forsyth Partners
City of Forsyth
Forsyth-Monroe Chamber
Monroe County
State
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Georgia Association of CVBs
Georgia Grown
Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
Regional
Historic Heartland
Southeast Tourism Society
Religious Conference Management Association
