Why is tourism important to Columbia?

Tourism is a vital economic generator for our community. When visitors come to Columbia, they don’t just have a great time; they spend money by shopping at our stores, dining in our restaurants, staying in our hotels and attending our events. This spending supports our economy by keeping local businesses open and citizens employed. The tax revenue generated by this spending improves our everyday quality of life and the community we choose to live, work, learn and play in.

Amy Schneider
Director

When working in tourism, it’s all about the people. For Amy Schneider, the director of the city of Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the most rewarding part of her job is interacting with the people she works with and the ones who visit the community. “The interaction with those who have different life experiences is a daily education,” she says. “New ideas or initiatives at the Convention and Visitors Bureau are often sparked by a simple conversation, and we get to use those ideas to make Columbia a better destination.”

For anyone who lives in or visits Columbia, it is important to seek information from a trusted source. Those who work day-to-day in their chosen profession have learned through failures and successes, and they are far better equipped to provide the information needed. “People don’t know what they don’t know and the internet doesn’t always give the full story,” Schneider says. “Finding someone you trust, who is knowledgeable and who has experience is the best way to educate yourself.”

Schneider found her path in hospitality from an early age, working in just about every position possible at various hotels. Her final position in the hotel industry was in sales, so she says it was a natural fit to move into a role where she represented more than one property. “The CVB gave me the opportunity to ‘sell’ my entire community and to welcome visitors from all over the world,” she says.