Congaree Vista Guild

Hospitality tax funded marketing/oper - the funds are used for marketing purposes, including print, radio and magazine advertising throughout south carolina. These funds also purchase public relations, media relations, the printing and distribution of brochures/maps/guides, flyers and posters, website maintenance, and an administrator (executive director) for the purpose of promoting the Vista as a desirable tourist destination. The hospitality tax funds also support two signature events: Vista lights, a holiday street festival and artista Vista, an art gallery crawl and celebration of the arts, as well as other smaller events throughout the district like third thursday and masters week.

Vista lights - the Vista Guild organized and promoted Vista lights, an annual event which takes place the thursday before thanksgiving and kicks off the holiday shopping season in the Congaree Vista district. Billboard, radio, print and online advertising drew patrons to the district where they enjoyed kids activities, live music, dance performances, a special Vista tree lighting and a festive atmosphere. Nearly all Vista merchants participated in this event and a crowd of over 8,000 attended.

Clean and safe - the Vista Guild clean and safe team includes a full-time operations manager and two part time hospitality ambassadors/cleaning crew members. They are used as a compliment to city services including the columbia police department and public works. The downtown safety guides consist of golf cart and foot patrols during the day and into the evening hours. The guides are charged with giving public assistance and directions as well as showing a highly visible presence in our Congaree Vista district. The Vista clean and safe team removes debris and graffiti from sidewalks and alleyways, and solves other maintenance issues including landscaping, plantings and reporting of code and other violations or problems to the proper city of columbia departments.

Artista Vista - the Congaree Vista Guild advertised and promoted an annual spring event called artista Vista that focused on the galleries and artists located in the Vista. The 2023 artista Vista continued the new tradition of being a weekend-long event. The event gave patrons from around the area as well as columbia residents a way to celebrate the arts. About 4,000 people enjoyed arista Vista over the 3-day weekend.

Support of members - membership dues and Congaree Vista guide ads were used to subsidize membership-specific discounted advertising opportunities, to introduce members and their business to organizations throughout the city and to provide for office operations.

Beautification - the Vista Guild continues to beautify and upkeep the Congaree Vista district.