About the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)

The Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Paducah, Kentucky. Our mission is to generate economic impact for the community through tourism marketing, destination management, and strategic development.

Paducah holds the distinction of being Kentucky's only UNESCO Creative City, designated in the category of Crafts and Folk Art. The CVB works to share this story and welcome visitors from around the world to experience our creative community.

The Paducah CVB is accredited through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International, a recognition held by fewer than 200 destination organizations worldwide. The CVB is funded by the Transient Room Tax, collected from hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and short-term rental accommodations.

Destination Mission

The Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official DMO of the City of Paducah, existing to create new economic opportunities through destination marketing, management and sustainable tourism development.

Destination Vision

Paducah, Kentucky will be recognized internationally for its significant American heritage, inspiring creative culture and outstanding hospitality.

Social Vision

Paducah CVB will foster culture, creativity and innovation as a means to sustainable development making the City a great place to work, visit and live.

The Paducah CVB is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International. The Paducah CVB is a quasi-governmental organization, funded by the Transient Room Tax levied on hotel, motel, bed & breakfast accommodations, and overnight room rentals and retreats. 

Destination's International Social Impact Statement

Tourism has the power to transform communities. When destinations commit to driving social impact, they create thriving local economies, increase access to opportunities, and ensure that visitors contribute to a better world.

Travel Unity Pledge

The Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau is a proud member of Travel Unity. Travel shapes how people encounter places, communities, cultures, and one another. Organizations in travel have a responsibility to help make those encounters more welcoming, respectful, and accessible.

We commit to making welcoming and belonging part of how we work, communicate, serve, partner, and grow.

We commit to:

• Listening to people whose experiences differ from our own
• Reviewing our workplace, programs, communications, partnerships, and services through the lens of welcoming and belonging
• Considering the needs of staff, communities, partners, and travelers/visitors
• Identifying barriers that may prevent people from feeling respected, included, or able to participate fully
• Responding thoughtfully when gaps, mistakes, or harms are brought to our attention
• Treating this pledge as a starting point for continued action

Paducah's Tourism Industry & Visitor Economy

Travel promotion is business development, and tourism plays a pivotal role in building our community and economy for the benefit and well-being of every resident! Learn more about the local tourism industry which generates substantial economic and cultural impact through tourism in Paducah-McCracken County.

Visitor trips generated $326.7 million in 2025. The visitor economy in Paducah-McCracken County supports 2,435 jobs and generates $26.5 million in state and local taxes annually.

The CVB Brand: The City of Many Ways

Rivers, ideas, beliefs, art forms, and people of all ages intersect in Paducah making it, like America, a perfect melting pot featuring many perspectives and down-to-earth experiences.

We can celebrate the many ways of exploring Paducah by showcasing some of the things we all have in common—a need for community, a love of adventure, and the creative urge to make something that outlasts our time here. There are many ways to connect with others, many ways to seek adventure, many ways to express ourselves…many ways to experience Paducah.