Virginia Tourism Dashboard
 eNewsletter for the Virginia Tourism Industry
September 2007 
In this issue
President's Notes

Please join the Virginia Tourism Corporation and tourism professionals from across the state for VA-1 – Virginia’s statewide tourism conference, Sept. 25 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. VA-1 signifies the importance of a unified approach to tourism. As a vital partner in Virginia’s tourism success – we want you there!

At the conference, you’ll hear from keynote speaker, Mark Silveira, author of Ordinary Advertising and How to Avoid it Like the Plague, with advice to take your advertising to the next level. You will get an in-depth look into travel writing and public relations from Erik Torkells, editor of Budget Travel; Katherine Calos, travel writer for the Richmond Times Dispatch and Erica Singleton, a freelance travel writer. You will have the opportunity to network with media representatives from 30 major publications and outlets.

There will be additional networking opportunities at a reception on September 24 for those interested. This is an exciting time for Virginia and we want you to be fully informed on everything we are working on to continue to promote Virginia as one of the top ten destinations in the country. Please go to www.vatc.org to learn more and join the 200+ tourism partners who’ve already registered for VA-1.

Alisa Bailey
Virginia Tourism Update   Tourism Dashboard
Fall Marketing Caucus & the ABA Host Advisory Committee Meeting
The day before the VA-1 Conference is the Fall Marketing Caucus and the ABA Host Advisory Committee Meeting. Don't miss this opportunity to be visible, learn about the latest tourism industry developments and how to profit from these exciting times. Monday, Sept. 24 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Register online now for the Fall Marketing Conference: http://vatc.org/marketing/FallCaucus/registration.asp

New Leads Available
Leads that were generated at the International Motorcoach Group Strategic Alliance Meeting on Aug. 8-11, 2007 in French Lick, Indiana are available. Please contact Robin Mamunes at rmamunes@virginia.org

buttonTourism and the Arts Program Grants Deadline
Reminder: The deadline for the Tourism and the Arts Program Grants is Friday, Sept. 28, 2007. For more information: http://www.vatc.org/development/tourismandarts.asp

buttonVTC Leverage Marketing Program Deadline
The deadline for the Fall 2007 VTC Marketing Leverage Program is Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. For more information:
http://www.vatc.org/development/leverageprog.asp

buttonWelcome Centers Demos & Events
With the popular fall foliage season followed by holiday travel, take advantage of a Virginia Welcome Center and schedule a "Demo Day," showcasing your destination or organization. Increase awareness and gain valuable hands-on exposure with visitors to Virginia without participation fees or monetary investment. For more information: http://www.vatc.org/csir/Demonstrations.asp

button2007 Commemorative Travel Guides

A limited supply of the 2007 commemorative travel guide -- America's 400th Anniversary -- is available to industry partners. These collectible guides have been popular during this historic year. Stock up now for the fall foliage season and into holiday travel. Send your request by email to publications@virginia.org or online :http://www.vatc.org/admin/mailform/mailformPublications.htm

New Features on Virginia.org
Merchandise of the Month - Etched Wine Glass

etched wine glass
These 14oz wine glasses with satin-etched "Virginia is for Lovers" logo. Glass is approx. 7.5" tall. Comes in a box set containing 4 glasses. $24.

October is Virginia Wine Month!
Go to the Virginia is for Lovers Shop to Order.


Website Visitation
Through August 2007
UP 35% YTD

Virginia Welcome Center Visitation
Through July 2007
DOWN 30.5% YTD*
*Lambsburg, Clear Brook, and Fredericksburg WC's relocated to temporary locations due to construction beginning Jan., May, and Oct. 2006, respectively

Lodging Occupancy Rates
Through July 2007
Up UP 0.6% over same period of 2006

Car Rentals
Through July 2007
UP 5.1% over same period of 2006

Gas Sales
Through May 2007
up UP 3.2% from the same period of 2006

Click here to download the pdf for more information ...
Industry News
Four Virginia Events Make ABA's "Top 100 Events for 2008"
The American Bus Association's Top 100 Events for 2008 include: Norfolk's Virginia Arts Festival & Virginia International Tattoo; Virginia Beach's Boardwalk Art Show & Festival; Abingdon's Virginia Highlands Festival and Portsmouth's Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival. Congratulations to these event planners!

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Spell Check : When creating your descriptions, do so in a Word document. This will allow you to check for misspelled words. You can do this by opening a Word document and typing your description; choose Tools on the toolbar and click Spelling. Once you're done, copy (CTRL C) and paste (CTRL V) into the Description field on Virginia.org using the Admin Tool.

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©2007 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?group=Sep2007Dashboard