Become a WVHTA Member
When you join WVHTA, you're gaining a seat at the table where policy decisions are made. We represent restaurants, hotels, attractions, and tourism businesses that contribute $3.9 billion to West Virginia's economy, and we fight for your interests in Charleston and beyond.
From legislative advocacy to industry connections, national partnerships to cost-saving vendor discounts, WVHTA membership gives you the support and tools you need to succeed in West Virginia's competitive hospitality market.
Membership Benefits
Legislative lobbying services and updates on issues impacting the hospitality & tourism industry
A place at the table for important policy discussions with influencers and decision-makers
Inclusion in the WVHTA Dining Guide
Discount on advertising with WV Living Magazine
Dual Membership to the National Restaurant Association
Partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association
Available discounts with Marketplace Vendors and Health Insurance Providers,
Discounts to BMI Music License Fees
Discounts to ServSafe Classes. (Manager, Food Handler, Alcohol, Guest Services Gold)
Support of Full-Time WVHTA Staff
Invitations and Discounts to Membership Events such as Hospitality University and the Tourism Day Legislative Reception
Travel and Restaurant Industry Networking Opportunities
Featured Restaurant Member: Muriale’s Italian Kitchen
Since 1969, Muriale’s has been committed to crafting authentic Italian dishes, using time-honored recipes and the freshest ingredients. Join them to experience the flavors that have made them a beloved part of the Fairmont, WV community for over 50 years.
What our members are saying about WVHTA
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![Exterior view of Capitol Market building with people walking in front, greenery, and parking lot.]()
Advocacy that gets results
Our farmers market had been working for years to acquire a ‘Sip & Shop’ license that would let customers enjoy an adult beverage while strolling the property, yet we kept hitting one roadblock after another during the legislative process. We didn’t have the resources (much less experience) to be at the statehouse everyday fighting for our bill, but WVHTA did. Richie and Jordan were tireless advocates on our behalf, providing political know-how and critical boots-on-the-ground support that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. We now have that license thanks to our membership in WVHTA!”
– Steven Keith, President, Capitol Market Board of Directors
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![Large historic stone house with a steep roof and multiple windows, surrounded by landscaped gardens, trees, and a paved walkway, under cloudy skies.]()
Our eyes in Charleston
“The greatest benefit to membership for us is the assistance we get with legislative issues and state government. We are located five hours from our state capitol and to know we have someone there fighting on behalf of our industry as a whole is very reassuring.”
– Christian Asam, Bavarian Inn Resort & Brewing Company
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![A wooden table with a plate of salad, two cups of soda, and a small bowl of sauce in a restaurant setting. A smiling waitress in a blue shirt with a name tag and colorful skirt stands in the background.]()
Worth it every time
“Our membership with the WVHTA has afforded us the ability to access industry-specific information that not only pertains to changes in practices and applicable regulations/laws but also industry trends. As an independent restaurant without corporate backing and resources; having the opportunity to obtain answers to our questions has proven to be worth the membership on many occasions.”
– Jason Coffman Co-Owner Black Bear Burritos
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![Four people walking out of a clubhouse with a modern and rustic design, including stone walls, wooden beams, and large windows, in a golf course setting.]()
A great investment
“As a member, WVHTA acts as an amazing link to our state government as well as local and national industry organizations. As a small business it is nice to have a friendly voice to help guide you through the handling of various business-related situations. Their advocacy for our industry is also helpful with governmental questions and concerns. They provide insights into our industry through relationships with West Virginia Tourism and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. These relationships can be key for the growth and protection of hospitality businesses. A great investment!”
– Bob Peckenpaugh, President & CEO of Oglebay and Wheeling Park Commission
Showcase your restaurant in the WV Living Dining Guide
Let’s celebrate West Virginia Restaurants!
The WVHTA is the official voice of the food service, lodging, adventure, and tourism industries. Working together with our members, we provide the highest level of support possible to help your restaurant not only survive, but thrive!
Your restaurants’s inclusion in West Virginia’s only statewide travel, tourism, and lifestyle magazine, WV Living magazine’s dining guide in all four issues for free, and on a live searchable database on wvliving.com promoted throughout our website and social media reaching an audience of 250,000, with the option to upgrade to a featured listing.
Invest in Your Business. Join WVHTA Today.
Join hundreds of West Virginia hospitality businesses who are shaping the future of our industry. Choose your membership level below to see your membership cost and start accessing your benefits today.
Membership Tiers
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West Virginia’s restaurants and food establishments offer a diverse culinary landscape throughout the state that often emphasizes local specialties and uniquely Appalachian ingredients. From roadside diners to luxury resorts, West Virginia’s food scene is an integral part of our tourism success as the Mountain State has increasingly become a legitimate foodie mecca.
WVHTA helps its member restaurants by allowing them to focus on what they do best - providing amazing culinary experiences for their customers. Whether it’s our partnerships with the National Restaurant Association, publication of the WVHTA Dining Guide in WV Living Magazine, or our member advocacy efforts, WVHTA tries to help our restaurant owners with the other issues that can impact their businesses on a daily basis.
Find your category and follow the link to join online! (Need old school paper forms? Find them here!)
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West Virginia offers a wide variety of lodging options - from luxury five-star resorts and hotels to remote “glamping” domes and cabins. The WVHTA represents lodging establishments of all forms and sizes, regularly assisting our state’s lodging businesses with state and local regulations, available workforce and training opportunities and possible tax policy changes.
Through our partnerships with the American Hotel Lodging Association and others, WVHTA serves as a resource for lodging establishments, while also always looking for ways in which we can help spur future growth for establishments by fostering a positive business climate in West Virginia.
Find your category and follow the link to join online! (Need old school paper forms? Find them here!)
Over 50 Rooms at Property (please contact us for payment arrangements)
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West Virginia boasts of a complete range of travel attractions for both in and out-of-state travelers. Skiing, rafting, mountain biking and all other forms of outdoor recreation help draw millions of tourists to the state. Whether it is seasonal adventures, outdoor excursions, or sports recreation opportunities, West Virginia truly has it all. WVHTA helps highlight and increase the marketing opportunities for the state’s many unique travel attractions, while also giving the small business owners who run such attractions the opportunity to connect with industry partners in your region and throughout the state.
Find your category and follow the link to join online! (Need old school paper forms? Find them here!)
Annual Sales: $100,000 - $250,000
Annual Sales: $250,001 - $500,000
Annual Sales: $500,001 - $1.0MM
Annual Sales: $1.0MM - $1.25MM
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West Virginia’s beverage scene is a growing and important market for state tourism. With the streamlining of state alcohol and beverage laws, craft breweries and distilleries have seen increasing success throughout the state, with many high quality brewers and distillers developing strong followings both in and out-of-state. Local coffee shops, breweries and distilleries often serve as the gathering place for our local communities and a must-visit for tourists.
With the creation of our new beverage industry membership category, WVHTA is working to further amplify the efforts of drinking establishments. We are regularly working with our industry members on policies that we can implement to make their operations easier and more tourist friendly. Through our advocacy efforts, WVHTA is working on an annual basis to cut the red tape that oftentimes makes it difficult to operate as a beverage establishment.
Find your category and follow the link to join online! (Need old school paper forms? Find them here!)
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West Virginia’s local and regional convention and visitors bureaus are an essential part of the state’s tourism industry, serving as the boots on the ground that are so essential to promoting and encouraging travel to West Virginia and our local communities. WVHTA works closely with our CVB members and the WV Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (WVACVB) to maximize opportunities to market our local destinations. WVHTA works hand-in-hand with our CVBs on advocacy efforts, event planning and partnership opportunities which help strengthen West Virginia’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Find your category and follow the link to join online! (Need old school paper forms? Find them here!)
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WVHTA members include a wide variety of tourism-related businesses and entities, from industry purveyors and vendors serving direct hospitality and tourism businesses, educational institutions providing hospitality programs and workforce training, and general “friends” of the tourism industry that are interested in being more involved. An associate membership with the WVHTA creates an opportunity to connect and network with hospitality and tourism industry members statewide.
Find your category and follow the link to join online! (Need old school paper forms? Find them here!)
Featured Members
Embassy Suites, Charleston
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Embassy Suites Charleston offers over 250 spacious suites in the heart of downtown Charleston, steps from the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center and Town Center. Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, evening receptions, and convenient access to the city's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations.
Purple Fiddle
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Purple Fiddle in historic Thomas is a beloved smoke-free music venue and gathering space featuring professional live acoustic performances every weekend alongside a healthy deli menu and craft beverages. This intimate, family-friendly venue has become the heart of the Thomas community, drawing nationally-touring acts and creating an atmosphere where music lovers of all ages can enjoy world-class entertainment in the mountains.
Fife Street Brewing, Charleston
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Fife Street Brewing celebrates West Virginia craft beer culture with classic brews and bold flavors designed to please everyone from locals to weekend adventurers. This Charleston gathering spot combines great beer, food, and an inclusive atmosphere where community and conversation flow as freely as the taps.
Featured CVB Member: Martinsburg-Berkeley CVB
Just a little over an hour west of Washington DC, where rivers meet mountains and history happens, Berkeley County WV is the perfect getaway and gateway to explore your passions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We work very closely with the Department of Tourism, oftentimes coordinating on policy and advocacy efforts, event and training opportunities, and industry issues that might need a government solution.
While we work closely with the Department of Tourism on issues of interest to our members and the industry, we are generally different from them in the scope of what we do. While the Department’s primary focus is the marketing of the state and amplifying efforts to attract visitors to the state, WVHTA’s focus is more specific to providing advocacy, education and support services for our members. The Tourism Advisory Council serves more as a resource to the Department of Tourism and a number of our WVHTA members serve on the council.
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Specific ROI varies by business, but the value of a membership is substantial: members receive year-round legislative advocacy and representation in Charleston for just a few hundred dollars annually—a fraction of what independent lobbying would cost. Add in national association partnerships, vendor discounts, industry education, and networking opportunities, and the investment quickly pays for itself through both direct savings and the protection of your business interests.
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WVHTA's full-time staff monitors legislation, communicates with state lawmakers, and coordinates with national hospitality organizations to protect and advance the interests of West Virginia's hospitality industry year-round.
Start Your Membership
Connect with the advocacy, resources, and partnerships that help your business thrive