Behind the LaPorte County CVB

The LPCCVB was created by state statute in 1979 and serves the entire County of LaPorte as a special purpose governmental unit. Funding is provided by a 5% Innkeepers Tax collected from guests staying at our accommodations.

Our Mission Statement:

The LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization that represents the visitor industry and communities to create economic growth from visitor expenditures.

Our Goals:

• Increased economic impact through new visitor spending
• Reinforces destination brand equity
• Enhances visitor experiential offerings
• Invests in the agreed-to destination vision
• Creates or expands partnerships

Our destination Vision:

To become the premier year-round and highly accessible recreational destination centered on a unique mix of urban and rural community entertainment in the Midwest.

LPCCVB Vision:

To be the leading destination management partner within the region by effectively developing and marketing its distinct visitor brand, and advocating tourism benefits to constituencies.

Brand Promise Statements:

The Michigan City LaPorte area is Chicago's Northern Indiana relaxing escape, with beautiful coastal and lakeside scenic settings offering an easily accessible destination on converging Interstates 80/90 and 94. With its fun and exciting Blue Chip gaming, premium outlet shopping, special festivals and events as well as the nearby Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park, it offers an array of attractive recreational and cultural experiences for families and those seeking an easy weekend adventure. With its two major city service centers, this Lake Michigan beach destination offers extensive four seasons of activities where visitors can enjoy the pleasures of small rural towns, marinas, agri-heritage attractions, performing arts events, historical museums and adventure travel pursuits that offers an affordable and nostalgic Midwest experience.

The City of Michigan City boasts its Golden Triangle assets of exciting Blue Chip Casino Hotel, the shopping adventures of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets and beautiful Washington Park with its sandy beaches and prominent lighthouse. As the key service center for the Lake Michigan Indiana Dunes region, it has the extensive commercial, professional and hospitality services and second prime staging area for all outdoor recreational activities in the county.

The City of LaPorte with its inland recreational lakes setting is the government seat of LaPorte County. It is also the central hub to enjoy the county’s varied mix of farmlands and fruit orchards. Framed with its landmark courthouse and 19th century character downtown area, it is a classic, restful Midwest community that offers a spiritual small town feeling of historic neighborhoods, arts and cultural events and boutique retail shopping that takes a visitor to a friendlier, more nostalgic time.

CVB Sponsored Events

There are times when you can hear it and others when it’s nearly impossible not to smell it. And when you see it, there’s no mistaking it. But so often now in LaPorte County, it’s nearly impossible not to feel the excitement of all the wonderful events the LaPorte County CVB is bringing into the area.

While the bureau has, for years, served its community partners well and has worked hard to fill the county’s hotel rooms with happy visitors, we’ve started taking our mission to another level. Now not only is the LaPorte County CVB a driver of tourism, but an economic driver as well, and here at the bureau, we couldn’t be happier. With our new mission to become a more event-driven organization, not only are we giving folks in the community and in the region even more reasons to visit Michigan City and LaPorte, we’re experiencing some pretty exciting events, too.

This year, as we await the hot days of summer and fun along the shore of Lake Michigan, the CVB is preparing to again host its signature event: the 2012 Great Lakes Grand Prix, during the first week of August. Join the nearly 80,000 people who pack Michigan City’s Washington Park Beach in August and witness power like you’ve never seen as the world’s fastest and largest offshore powerboats scream along the Lake Michigan shore at speeds over 100 miles-per-hour. Taking advantage of many of the county’s most precious resources, the Grand Prix encompasses the sand, the surf and, most importantly, the people - who make LaPorte County such a great place to visit.

While it’s our biggest resource, Lake Michigan certainly isn’t the only resource. So much in LaPorte County lends itself to wonderful events, that we’re utilizing another of the county’s gems, the LaPorte County Fairgrounds, for the 2012 Pyrotechnics Guild International Convention this August.  The PGI Convention will present "Fire in the Sky" with four nights of public firework shows bigger, better and bolder than you've ever seen before.  The PGI Convention will come on the heels of the annual LaPorte County Fair, shining a bright light on the city of LaPorte, which is quickly becoming an agricultural landmark throughout the state and the Midwest. Perched alongside some of the most plentiful crops and rich soil in the nation, the fairgrounds will serve as the perfect backdrop for a Fireworks Spectacular.

Add to the Grand Prix and the PGI Convention numerous baseball and softball tournaments, the annual Michigan City Triathlon, Drum Corps International competition and other events and the LaPorte County CVB has taken a giant leap forward. Whether the crack of the bat, the roar of the motor, the sight of "Fire in the Sky" or athletes emerging from Lake Michigan to head off on an invigorating bicycle ride, LaPorte County has more and more each day to offer.