Meet Virginia and Stay!

VTC television ads are running both in Virginia through Virginia Association of Broadcasters and nationally through co-ops with Virginia Beach and Richmond, as well as our top 5 geographic markets with Go Williamsburg. The ads feature the music of The Dave Matthews Band, showcase tourism product across the state and invite consumers to visit Virginia.org to plan their Virginia summer vacations.

Events Highlighted at Welcome Centers
Each month on Welcome Centers' plasma-screens, VTC sponsors spots that highlight events around Virginia. These spots are viewed by thousands of your potential visitors. Only those events listed on Virginia.org are represented. Contact Angela Wiggins to find out how to list your events: awiggins@virginia.org or 804-545-5553.

VCU Studies Film Industry's Economic Impact
The total economic impact of the film and video industry in Virginia exceeded $500 million in 2004, according to a landmark study by the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Public Policy. About 8,500 Virginians are directly or indirectly employed in the industry. Companies that benefit from the film and video industry number 259. This study shows that the film industry has a significant impact on Virginia's economy and workforce. Read the entire report at http://www.film.virginia.org

Advertise in the 2007 Virginia Travel Guide
Get on board now to reserve your space in the 2007 Virginia Travel Guide, which will be published in December and have a circulation of 800,000. With Jamestown 2007 approaching, this is an advertising opportunity not to be missed! Contact Leisure Publishing representatives: NOVA & Richmond - Becca Mayberry, 804-269-0725 and beccamayberry@comcast.net; Tidewater, Chesapeake & Eastern Shore - Nell Wichmann, 757-565-0288 and wichmann@widomaker.com; Mountains & Central - Jo Diedrich, 540-989-6138 and jdiedrich@leisurepublishing.com

Demos at Welcome Centers
Don't wait to book your demo for the summer season at your favorite Welcome Center. This is an effective way to market your destination and provide that up-close-and-personal contact that visitors love! Contact a Welcome Center near you:
/consumer/directory.htm

October 2006 Partner Showcase Opportunity
Advertise in the October issue of Country Living or Good Housekeeping and you will have the opportunity to be part of VTC's Partner Showcase at the New York offices of Hearst Magazines in October or November of this year — Date TBD . Turn your advertising co-op buy into a PR opportunity, too! Possible attendees include editorial staffs of Good Housekeeping, Country Living, O, The Oprah Magazine, Weekend, Popular Mechanics, Town and Country TRAVEL and other publications. For details: /advertising/coopadprog/partneradvertising.htm

Photography Needed
VTC is always looking for fresh, new images to include in its marketing efforts. Please contact Judy Watkins in Advertising if you have photography to share. jwatkins@virginia.org and 804-545-5563.

See America Week May 13-21
See America/Virginia Week is one of the best ways to call attention to the economic impact of tourism in your locality the week of May 13-21. Deliver your news message and breakfast to key local media on a morning of the previous week. Saturday is a slow news day, so they'll appreciate not only the donuts or bagels, but also having something in reserve for the weekend's news. Go to /research/index.asp for the 2004 economic-impact figures.

Vision Film Festival in Roanoke - April 20-22
The Southwest Blue Ridge Film Office presents its fourth annual Vision Film Festival with screenings and panel discussions. This year, one of their featured guests is William Christopher, who formerly portrayed Father Mulcahy on the hit TV show M*A*S*H. He will serve in honoring America's military medical personnel. For more information, visit
http://www.blueridgeswvafilm.org

Meeting Facilities News Needed
The Small Market Meeting monthly newspaper (circulation 8,500) seeks meeting-related news from second- and third-tier cities about new or improved meeting facilities, unusual off-site venues, out-of-the-ordinary meeting themes or special offers aimed at meeting planners. Email your information by April 10 to:
vmitchell@smallmarketmeetings.com.

International Pow Wow®Online Appointments
Now is the time to get your travel product or destination before key International Pow Wow buyers. Get a jump start on the competition by securing your appointments today with the newly upgraded online appointment scheduling at
http://www.powwowonline.com

Writer Needs Your Help
Promote your area as a place to retire! Send your pitch and substantiating information to Jim Kerr for Where to Retire magazine: P.O. Box 37487, Raleigh, NC 27627 or 919-859-6782 or jimkerr@mindspring.com

Website Visitation
Through March 2006
UP 28% YTD

Virginia Welcome Center Visitation
Through February 2006
DOWN 4.9% YTD

Lodging Sales
Through Q2 2005
UP 1.9% over same period of 2004

Food Service
Through Q2 2005
UP 6.1% over same period of 2004

Car Rentals
Through February 2006
UP 1.5% over same period of 2005

Gas Sales
Through November 2005
DOWN 0.5% from the same period of 2004

Click to download the PDF for more...

Chrysler Museum of Art Receives Award

The Chrysler Museum of Art was selected "Best of 2005 Readers Choice Awards" by the readers of Hampton Roads Magazine.

Admin Tool Tip

Creating New Listings
Before creating a new listing, please check your account and the Virginia.org website to see if the listing currently exists so that you will not be duplicating efforts. If the listing is in your account and you need to update it, click on Make Changes beside the listing name. Make your updates and click on Submit on the second page. For questions, please contact Angela Wiggins at 804-545-5553 or awiggins@virginia.org.

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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Merchandise of the Month

This cute 6" diameter white plastic bowl for cat food or water, is printed with "Cat Lovers" logo on front. Only $3.50 each. Great for travel, too.

Go to the Virginia is for Lovers Shop to order.