Welcome Jeff Anderson as the new Executive Director of VEDP New Phone Numbers for VTC VIFL Logo Use Holiday Welcome Center Hours New Leads Available for the International Market Winter Itineraries & Packages Needed VFEA Workshop - Nov. 10 Soul of Virginia Partnership Virginia: Off the Beaten Path Deadline Must-See TV! Spring Advertising Co-ops Industry News Merchandise of the Month Administrative System Tool Tip

And, the results are in for 2004! Domestic traveler spending is up 8.6% from 2003. Overseas spending was up 26% and Canadian spending was up 17.5%. Furthermore, through our tracking, VTC increased our leads from our print/promotions from 62,000 leads in 2003 to 330,000 leads in 2004 AND unique visitation on www.viriginia.org in 2004 was up a whopping 58% from 2003. What does it all mean? It is certainly heartening news, but as a tourism industry we cannot rest on our laurels. Anecdotal information from several of our attractions indicates that the rebound has not materialized, including at our state and national parks. As has been the case since 9-11-2001, visitation patterns are not as predictable as they once were. VTC will be working with the private sector to develop research that will assist us in addressing less-than-robust visitation, increase marketing reach, and work toward a year with double-digit domestic and international growth. Thanks to all of you who have partnered with VTC on cooperative advertising, electronic marketing, sales, promotions, welcome center programs and research. Together we ensure that ALL of Virginia’s tourism industry is benefiting from increased visitation and spending. Alisa Bailey

Welcome Jeff Anderson as new Executive Director of Virginia Economic Development Partnership
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors voted unanimously to bring on Jeff Anderson — former Executive Vice President for Global Integration at BearingPoint, a leading multi-national management consulting firm headquartered in McLean — as the new VEDP Executive Director. Anderson is taking over the helm from Mark Kilduff, who retired this summer but agreed to stay on for awhile as a consultant. For additional information, visit: http://www.yesvirginia.org/
About_Us/NewsArticle.aspx?newsid=731

VTC's New Phone Numbers
Please refer to the new phone book on VATC.org for the Richmond staff's new phone numbers — /phone/phone.htm effective immediately. The new main number is 804-545-5500 and the new fax number is 804-545-5501.

Virginia is For Lovers Logo Use
The “Virginia is For Lovers” slogan is a registered trademark of the Virginia Tourism Authority (d/b/a the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC). To learn more about how you can use the logo, please read the "Logo Use Policy" accessible from VATC.org, and complete the logo request form, which will be reviewed and responded to.

Holiday Welcome Center Hours
The Welcome Centers will be closed: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24; Early closing at 12:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24; Closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25; Closed New Years Day, Jan. 1.

Leads Available for the International Market
Leads from La Cumbre and the Florida Sales Mission are available from Kimberly Petersen — kpetersen@virginia.org

Winter Itineraries & Packages Needed
What do you imagine when you think of the perfect winter getaway? We need your suggestions for a special Winter Fun feature on Virginia.org. Plus, your suggested itineraries and packages will be highlighted in the December/January consumer newsletter, which is sent to about 75,000 people. Add your packages to Virginia.org by logging into the Admin Tool at www.Virginia.org/admin/login.asp. Please email your itineraries to Sandy Westmoreland at swestmoreland@virginia.org by Nov. 11.

Reminder: VFEA Workshop — Nov. 10
Get the Ball Rolling: Create and Build Your Event is the topic for this year's fall workshop in Winchester. Please visit the Website for more information and registration: http://www.vfea.com

Soul of Virginia Partnership
Soul of Virginia, the quarterly magazine, serves as the primary fulfillment piece and is available at the Welcome Centers for those interested in African-American heritage. If you are interested in extending your reach to the African-American traveler, please contact publisher Kent Ruffin publisher@soulofvirginia.com for advertising information.

Virginia: Off the Beaten Path Deadline
The 8th edition is being updated for a 9th edition, which is scheduled to be on bookshelves in September 2006. if you have anything new or corrections on information you've already submitted — phone numbers, addresses, URLs, admission prices, operating hours, etc. — please send them to Judy Colbert at Jmcolbert@aol.com or 301-858-0196 by Feb. 1, 2006.

Must-See TV!
Be sure to catch VTC’s Fall TV spot featuring some of Virginia’s finest fall tourism product and The Dave Matthews Band song “Stay (Wasting Time)”. The spot is running nationally through November and can also be seen during select UVA and Virginia Tech football games!

Spring Coop Advertising Opportunities
For more information on upcoming Coop Advertising opportunities, go to www.vatc.org/advertising. *Small budget? Explore the “Buy Down” opportunities.
The following opportunities include the publication, publication date and deadline for participation:
Southern Living (Mar 06) Nov. 8
Leisure South Family Insert (Spr/Sum 06) Nov. 11
Leisure South Heritage Insert (May 06) Nov. 11
ConventionSouth (Jan 06) Nov. 14
Group Travel Leader (Jan 06) Nov. 14
*Good Housekeeping (Mar 06) Dec. 12 (First Buy Down Opportunity)
Country Living (Apr 06) Dec. 12
Group Tour Mag (Mar 06) Dec. 15
*Endless Vacation (Mar/Apr 06) Dec. 16 (Buy Down)
*Audubon (Mar 06) Jan. 2 (Buy Down)
Pathfinders (Mar/Apr 06) Dec. 30.

USA Today Picks Alexandria
Alexandria was picked as one of the "Top Five Destinations for a Working Vacation" in its Sept. 14 edition. With free wireless Internet access —
WI-Fi — in Old Town's historic district and budget airlines flying into nearby Dulles and National airports, Alexandria is a "great place for travelers to juggle work and play."

Shopvafinest.com makes it easier than ever to buy distinctive Virginia’s Finest™ gifts this holiday season for clients, colleagues, friends or family members. Select from new innovations or classic favorites like Virginia gourmet peanuts and hams, or give a Virginia’s Finest™ gift basket.

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Admin Tool Tip
When entering your Events on Virginia.org, don't forget to enter a description in the "Media Listing Description" field or it won't be considered for the monthly release to the media, which is used by travel writers at newspapers, television and radio, not only in Virginia but in key markets. National outlets include publications such as USA Today and Southern Living. For questions contact Angela Wiggins at 804-786-3526 or awiggins@virginia.org.

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If you have comments or suggestions for future issues of The Dashboard please contact Sandy Westmoreland at swestmoreland@virginia.org or 804-545-5557.

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