Fiddling in the park
 eNewsletter for the Virginia Tourism Industry
April 2005 

In this issue

  • National Geographic features    Appalachia
  • New Jamestown Guide
  • Recent Films Shot in Virginia
  • VTC Needs New Images
  • Virginia Advertisers
  • Governor's Conference
  • Exhibitor Discount
  • Be a Governor's Conference    Sponsor
  • WHRO Auction Donations
  • Industry News
  • Merchandise of the Month
  • Administrative System Tool Tip

    • President's Notes

    In the fast pace of tourism marketing, it is often we miss opportunities to grow our knowledge and our profession. This spring and summer four such opportunities are before us:

  • April 24-26 is the 2005 Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism — packed full of educational and networking opportunities including a session on cooperatively working with VTC on overall marketing as well as on 2007 Jamestown Commemoration. /govconf/
  • May 23 – 27, Travel Industry Institute educational forum in Virginia Beach, including sessions on heritage tourism, developing a winning marketing plan and measuring return on investment among others. http://www.travelindustryinstitute.org
  • May 1-4 is the Trails and Greenway Development regional conference in Richmond. http://www.bikewalkvirginia.org
  • Aug. 13-16 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - Educational Seminar for Tourism Offices — ESTO — featuring nationally recognized speakers. http://www.tia.org and click on Meetings & Events.

    • Alisa Bailey

    Virginia Tourism Update

    National Geographic Features Appalachia
    National Geographic has featured 33 sites in the Heart of Appalachia, Blue Ridge Highlands and Shenandoah Valley in its April 2005 Traveler magazine, promoting geotourism — tourism that sustains/enhances the geographical character of a place. Read all about it at Discover Virginia’s Appalachia.

    Jamestown Commemoration Guide
    VTC and Leisure Publishing will produce a new magazine-style publication highlighting events during 2006 and 2007. Advertising sales will commence at the Governor’s Conference and close August 2005. More information will be sent to the DMOs soon. In the meantime, please contact Jo Diedrich at 540-989-6138 if you have any questions.

    Recent Films Shot in Virginia
    Enjoy sneak previews online of two films shot in Virginia last year — Stephen Speilberg’s War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise — shot in the Shenandoah Valley; and Terrence Malick’s The New World with Colin Farrell — shot in Charles City and James City Counties and in the city of Richmond!

    VTC Needs Your New Images
    Help VTC promote your destination with images to be used in promotions and publications such as the Virginia Travel Guide, on the Virginia.org website or as fulfillment for media requests. Images sell your destination more than words possibly can! For image specs, please contact Judy Watkins at jwatkins@virginia.org or 804-371-8163.

    Virginia Advertisers
    VTC Advertising is beginning to review media as we prepare to develop the new 18-month media plan, beginning with January 2006. We have our opinions, now we want to hear from you! Please share your opinion on your best 3 and worst 3 advertising vehicles, based on quality and performance. Thank you! Contact Jovandra Cox at JCox@virginia.org or 804-371-8170.

    Calling All Tourism Colleagues!
    Learn new insights that will increase your business and “Rediscover Virginia” at the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Richmond Convention Center, April 24-26, 2005. Guestrooms at the Richmond Marriott Hotel. Hope to see you there! /govconf/

    Governor's Conference Exhibitor Discount
    Exhibitor booths are still available at $500, which includes one full conference registration and additional exhibitors at $99 each. For more exhibitor information contact Janice Huffman, janiceh@vt.edu or Carol Torricelli, ctorricelli@virginia.org.

    Be a Governor's Conference Sponsor
    Ask about sponsorship opportunities that are still available by contacting Lynn Bostain at lbostain@virginia.org.

    Norfolk’s WHRO Auction
    WHRO is airing an on-line/on-air auction June 4, 5 and 6th and is soliciting donations. All donations will be visible from the WHRO website for at least one month, and the station will link back to your destination's website. For more information, contact Alison Till at alison.till@whro.org or call 757-889-9428.

    Merchandise of the Month

    VIFL Cat Lover’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt Comes in six different colors! Click here for more information.

    Tourism Dashboard

    Website Visitation
    Through March 2005
    UP 42% YTD

    Virginia Welcome Center Visitation
    Through December 2004
    Down 3.8% YTD

    Lodging Sales
    Through calendar year 2004
    UP 2.0% over same period of 2003

    Food Service
    Through calendar year 2004
    UP 8.8% over same period of 2003

     Car Rentals
    Through December 2004
    UP 4% over same period of 2003

    Gas Sales
    Through December 2004
    down arrow UP 1.2% from the same period of 2003

    Click for more...

    Industry News

    Here’s to the Heroes!

    Busch Gardens offers free single-day admission to its theme parks to active duty military, active reservists, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guardsmen along with as many as three (3) direct dependents! Department of Defense Photo ID required.
    For more information visit http://www.herosalute.com

    Admin Tool Tip
    bulletRegion/Locality Selection

    When adding your address information to your listing on Virginia.org, be sure to select the correct Region and Locality from the drop down list. This will ensure that your listing will be found!
    For questions contact Angela Wiggins at 804-786-3526 or awiggins@virginia.org.

    bullet If you have comments or suggestions for future issues of The Dashboard please contact Sandy Westmoreland at swestmoreland@virginia.org or 804-786-7993.

    Virginia is for Lovers VATC.org | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe | Contact Us | ©2005 Virginia Tourism Corporation
    You are receiving this email as a tourism industry partner of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. We will occasionally send email informing you of upcoming events, new programs or other information that may interest you about the Virginia tourism industry. If you would rather not receive these types of communications from VTC, please click the following URL to be removed from our list. http://www.vatc.org/emailDist/tipsOptOut.asp