The Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) of Bainbridge recently unveiled their new Web site, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Southwest Georgia Welcome Center on Monday.

The new site, www.visitbainbridgega.com, highlights upcoming events taking place in Decatur County, local attractions, lodgings and restaurants.

The bureau’s mission statement, which was approved at their March 10 meeting, is “To solicit and promote visitors to Bainbridge and Decatur County for the purpose of enhancing and developing the local economy.”

At the bureau’s monthly meeting, held on Thursday, April 16, the CVB approved a request from the city’s Community Development Director Amanda Glover for $4,000 to promote the City of Bainbridge’s July 4 celebration. At the event, the Leigh Mullis Band will perform as the opening act for national county music singer Danielle Peck.

The original amount allocated for promotion of the event was $10,000, and was readjusted in keeping with the scaled-back budget for the event.

Members also discussed ways to increase commerce in the area and make the public more away of the CVB, which was formed last September.

Committee members discussed different ways to spread the word about their new Web site as well as make visitors to the area aware of the different things Bainbridge and Decatur County have to offer.

Now with the bureau’s Web site up and functioning, Chairman Matt Palmer noted the need for the organization to have a multi-purpose logo that could be placed on brochures, stationery and various other items to be distributed at functions to promote local commerce.

Adrienne Harrison, manager of the Southwest Georgia Visitor’s Center, and City of Bainbridge Communications Director Paige Robinson were put in charge of creation of the logo.

Discussing local commerce, members spoke about the economic impact fishing tournaments bring to local area businesses. It was noted that the tournaments have an estimated half million dollar impact to Bainbridge.

“I think these economic impact numbers are conservative,” said City Manager Chris Hobby. He commented that the sheer number of anglers brought in by tournaments nearly fill every hotel in the city.

Bureau members discussed providing tournament sponsorship when the events take place next spring.

“Next spring should be a big hit for our hospitality industry and a chance to feature our new mega-ramps,” said Hobby.

Glover said she had submitted a number of bids to have tennis tournaments held in Bainbridge in 2010. Members discussed the possibility of using the tennis facility at the new Bainbridge High School for future tennis events. It was also noted that the completion of the new Holiday Inn, located on Tallahassee Highway, is slated to be around January 2010 and will be an attractive asset for visitors to the area taking part in tournaments.