Dallas is home to a number of non-profit entities that aid in shaping the city and the surrounding area, one of which is the booster organization Visit Dallas.
While other nonprofits are dedicated to expanding green space in the city or encouraging physical activity, Visit Dallas has been hard at work trying to build up Dallas’ profile to make it a world-class destination city for tourism and conventions. It was identified by The Dallas Express as one of the most influential community organizations of 2023.
Visit Dallas promotes Dallas’ history, architecture, events, and entertainment offerings, recognizing that tourism represents a major component of the local economy that benefits citizens and the city as a whole.
“More than 22 million people visit Dallas every year, spending $4.4 billion and generating a total economic impact of $7.2 billion. These travelers support our hotels, our attractions and our restaurants, and they support jobs,” reads the organization’s website. “In total, tourism supports more than 43,000 jobs and offsets the tax burden for Dallas households.”
Visit Dallas showcases some of the city’s biggest institutional attractions, such as Reunion Tower, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Dallas’ bustling Arts District, the largest in the nation.
“Our efforts have significantly increased awareness of Dallas locally, nationally and internationally, and have resulted in Dallas being recognized as one of the top ten convention destinations in the nation and part of a region that is the No. 1 visitor destination in the state of Texas,” the website reads.
In addition to marketing the city’s main attractions, Visit Dallas also promotes its neighborhoods. Deep Ellum, Trinity Groves, Oak Lawn, and Fair Park, among others, have garnered reputations as entertainment hotspots, and Visit Dallas tries to get the word out.
Recently, the organization began promoting an event hosted by the Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office (DFCIO) at The Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff. The event is scheduled for September 12 and will feature Donald Mowat, a makeup artist known for his work in films like Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and The Departed.
“We’re really excited to bring Donald Mowat to Dallas,” said Tony Armer, commissioner of the DFCIO, per a press release. “Most people don’t realize the enormous impact a makeup designer plays in the creation of film and television. To have someone of Donald’s caliber come to Dallas is a huge opportunity for the community to learn and experience his craft firsthand.”
Visit Dallas is also currently marketing an upcoming “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” a total solar eclipse in April 2024.
“Dallas will be the prime location to witness this celestial spectacle. Situated in the path of totality, the city will experience a period of complete darkness as the moon fully obscures the sun,” reads Visit Dallas’ eclipse website. “This rare occurrence presents an unparalleled opportunity for both locals and visitors to become a part of history and witness the wonders of the universe right here in Dallas.”
