For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Amanda Koone, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau
communications@fbgtx.org
(830) 997-6523
The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (FCVB) has introduced multiple new resources for residents and visitors to Fredericksburg.
“We are excited to offer some great new services to visitors and residents alike,” said Amanda Koone, Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
The Visitor Information Center, located at 302 E. Austin St., installed several new pieces of technology to kick off 2025.
Partnering with TrueOmni, the Visitor Information Center received a new self-serve kiosk. The kiosk allows visitors to find information on restaurants, wineries, lodging, shops and more, all utilizing information found on VisitFredericksburgTX.com. It also has a photobooth with fun Fredericksburg-themed frames. Images can be easily emailed.
In addition, there is now a large statement wall featuring six 55-inch screens. The screens display a short 30-second overview video of Fredericksburg, upcoming events and more.
Both the kiosk and statement wall are fully customizable.
The theater, that plays a 10-minute rolling video on all there is to see, do, eat, stay in Fredericksburg, got a new screen. The screen can also be used for meetings, presentations and more.
New Chat Service
In September 2024, the FCVB launched its new AI chat service on the website, VisitFredericksburgTX.com. Partnering with Satisfi Labs, the FCVB’s site now has a chat window for visitors to the site to ask questions and find additional information.
“Our new chat service allows users to ask questions and get immediate responses, which is especially important outside of our regular business hours,” Koone said.
Located in the bottom right corner of the site, users can ask the system any kind of question and will be further directed to other areas of the site. If the chat is unable to answer the question, the staff at the FCVB can teach the bot information for future inquiries.
“The chat uses information across our website to direct visitors to the appropriate topics,” Koone said. “This by no means replaces the front facing staff in our visitor center, it simply enhances our services to visitors and residents and helps them find information in a quick manner.”
Since its launch, the service has received:
- 5,106 messages
- 2,322 conversations
- 2,283 users
- And 60.8% of conservations have occurred outside of traditional business hours.
Digital Maps
In addition to Satisfi Labs, the FCVB has introduced two new digital maps: one for the Historic Walking Tour in downtown Fredericksburg and a second for Public Art. The new maps utilize an app called HipMaps that generates a walking map based on the user’s location.
“Our new HipMaps app features the Historic Walking Tour and Public Art, the same information that is found in our printed brochures,” Koone said. “Due to the popularity of these brochures, we decided to offer a digital version that includes all of the same information as well as step-by-step walking directions.”
When visitors and residents are looking to explore the downtown historic district, they can scan a QR code, open the HipMaps app and be directed to a walking map of historically significant structures and public art spaces. The map includes walking directions as well as information about each building.
Open House
During National Travel and Tourism Week, the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau will invite the community to see and experience these new offerings. More information will be available as the date gets closer.
“These new resources will help enhance the offerings provided by the Fredericksburg CVB and allow us to utilize the latest trends in technology,” Koone said.
To learn more about Fredericksburg and plan a visit, go to VisitFredericksburgTX.com.
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The Mission of The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau is to preserve, protect and promote Fredericksburg and Gillespie County destination offerings to enhance economic vitality and quality of place.