Post Your Food Finds on Virginia.org
Culinary tourism is a big travel trend. VTC's Public Relations encourages the industry to work with the unique, local restaurants in your area to help get them listed on Virginia.org. VTC will highlight the best and most unique dining experiences to national media and travelers. It is great exposure for your local restaurant partners — plus, a free service.

AAA Carolina Superbowl of Knowledge Leads
Leads are available from this event, which was held in Pinehurst, N.C., Nov. 17-19. Contact Robin Mamunes at rmamunes@virginia.org.

New Features on Virginia.org
New and Updated Features on Virginia.org include: Bicycling in Virginia - Virginia Capital Trail; Virginia Hot Springs & Spas; Holiday Open Houses at Virginia's Wineries; Winter in Virginia; Black History Attractions; Black History Month Events; and Virginia's Science and Natural History Museums. More Features about Virginia: www.virginia.org/site/features.asp?FeatureID=197

Workshops for Museums
VTC, the Virginia Association of Museums and the Virginia TimeTravelers are sponsoring a series of affordable workshops for museums. "No Budget? No Problem! Effective Marketing for Small Museums" workshops begin in January through March at various locations in Virginia. For more information, visit
http://www.timetravelers.org/workshops.html

Deadline for VTC Marketing Leverage Program
This program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of local, area and regional tourism partnerships. The deadline for applications is Dec. 20, 2006. For more information, visit: /development/leverageprog.htm

Valentine's Packages and Events Needed
VTC needs Valentine's events and packages to pitch to the media. Most publications have a lead time of two months or more. Remember, Virginia is for Lovers! Please upload everything on Virginia.org asap to be included in upcoming promotions. Contact Angela Wiggins in Electronic Marketing if you need help: awiggins@virginia.org.

Entrepreneur Express Workshops — Moving Your Business Forward
This series of business and management workshops in Southwest Virginia assists new business startups and existing small businesses. Segments include how to start and operate a business; growing an existing business; financing and available resources; and marketing strategies. For more information, please visit: http://www.vastartup.org/

Advertising Media Alert
Spring 2007 co-ops are coming to deadline! Please see one-sheeters for ad submission guidelines, and please call reps to reserve space.
Reminder: VTC's advertising agency is no longer accepting partner materials for co-op layouts. For more information, please visit: /advertising/coopadprog/partneradvertising.htm

It's Easy Being Green — Join Virginia's
Green Lodging
Environmentally friendly travel and accommodations are now more important than ever to leisure and business travelers. Join Virginia’s ‘Green Lodging’ program and let VTC market your Green property to website visitors and media. Look for the ‘Virginia Green’ logo! Here’s how to get started: First, join the Green Lodging program by visiting the DEQ website or contacting Tom Griffin at 804-698-4545 or rtgriffin@deq.virginia.gov. Then, make sure your property is listed on Virginia.org’s Green Lodging site, so VTC can market your environmental friendliness. Contact VTC’s Angela Wiggins awiggins@virginia.org or 804-545-5553, who will help you enter your property and confirm your ‘Virginia Green’ status.

Merchandise of the Month

Virginia Plush Teddy Bear

Our 12" cuddly brown teddy bear makes the perfect gift. He wears a small T-shirt with the official "Virginia is for Lovers" logo printed on the front. $18.

Go to the Virginia is for Lovers Shop to order.

Website Visitation
Through November 2006
UP 51% YTD

Virginia Welcome Center Visitation
Through October 2006
DOWN 17.3% YTD

Lodging Occupancy Rates
Through October 2006
DOWN 0.9% over same period of 2005

Car Rentals
Through October 2006
UP 1.2% over same period of 2005

Gas Sales
Through July 2006
DOWN 0.4% from the same period of 2005

Click to download the PDF for more...

Bicycling in Virginia - Cycling the Commonwealth Map Bicycling in Virginia focuses on routes and information of most interest to cyclists. The map presents setting, terrain, elevation and surface conditions. Inset enlargements of selected locations give details for parking and other facilities. To order your map, please visit: http://www.Virginia.org/site/
features.asp?FeatureID=352

There are also online interactive maps for seven biking trails, as well as pdfs that can be downloaded and printed.

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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.

Admin Tool Tip
Website URL: Consumers love to read more about your exciting events. To keep that excitement alive, be sure to enter the Website URL that goes directly to the page where they can read more about your event, not to the home page of the site of the event. For questions, please contact Angela Wiggins at 804-545-5553 or awiggins@virginia.org.