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 VTC Marketing Leverage Program Spring 2008 Applications Close April 1, 2008
The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of local, area, and regional tourism partnerships. The objective of this program is to leverage limited marketing dollars, resulting in increased visitor spending. A minimum of three partners must partner in the application.
Applications are reviewed based upon the determination of the audience (market research), the program (what is the message and how will that message be delivered), and the effectiveness of the program (performance measures on how well the message was delivered). Additional requirements contained in the VTC Marketing Leverage Program Application and Guidelines must also be met. Awards will be announced in late April 2008. Applications can be downloaded from http://www.vatc.org/development/funding.asp. Watch out Washington DC!
VTC Advertising is taking over DC! From internet to outdoor, on the streets and in the subway, we are covering the nation’s capital with the Live Passionately Virginia is for Lovers branding message, to deliver DC visitors to you! Our advertising blitz will increase brand awareness and drive traffic to a unique URL landing page (VAgetaways.org). We will complement the blitz with print, transit bus and bus shelter advertising and TV spots. Click here to see the details and view creative.
Promotions Primer Coming Soon
VTC is going to add a Promotions Primer to www.VATC.org and want to include the information that will be most helpful to you. If you have questions or specific types of promotion you’d like covered in the new Primer, please send that information to Julia Scott, promotions manager, jscott@virginia.org.
VTC Orientation SOLD OUT Session!
Definitely stay tuned at www.VATC.org for the announcement of the next Orientation in early Summer 2008!
New Photography Needed
Please send new photos of attractions, destinations, festivals & events, local restaurants and cuisine, outdoor recreation and other tourism-related activities to the VTC for possible inclusion in the 2009 travel guide and on www.Virginia.org.
We prefer digital Tiff files with minimum 300dpi resolution and 8"x10" in size. Please do not upscale images to specified resolution and size. Send your photos on a CD or DVD to the attention of Judy Watkins, Publications Manager, and include a note stating the VTC has permission to use the photos in its marketing efforts. Questions? Contact Judy at 804-285-3816 or jwatkins@virginia.org. The deadline for VTC to receive your photos is July 4, 2008. Workshop Opportunities
The Entrepreneur Express Workshops are designed to provide information on available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice. Workshop segments include information on how to start and operate a business, grow an existing business, marketing strategies, financing and locating available resources. Several Entrepreneur Express events are scheduled around the state in the coming weeks in Smyth County, Abingdon, Rocky Mount, Ashland, Highland/Bath County and Halifax County. For a complete schedule of dates and locations, click here: http://www.vastartup.org/dates.html
Agritourism: It's More Than a Farm Tour...Act II - This workshop delivers a broad overview of agritourism possibilities as well as the need-to-know details from experts and experienced veterans. Whether you're interested in a corn maze, pick-your-own berries, a pumpkin patch or an enterprise of your own design, this workshop will help with agritourism basics and more. Topics will include food service on the farm, managing liability, and generating new ideas as well as a discussion of what has and hasn't worked by an experienced agritourism operator. The workshop is free, but you must register by March 14. Thursday, March 20th - 12:00-4:00 Johnson's Orchards & Peaks of Otter Winery in Bedford, VA Friday, March 21 - 9:30 - 2:15 Appomattox Community Center in Appomattox, VA Contact Dr. Martha A. Walker Virginia Cooperative Extension Central District 150B Slayton Avenue Danville, VA 24540 TEL (434)766-6761 FAX (434)766-6763 walker53@vt.edu For a complete list of upcoming workshops, please visit http://www.vatc.org/development/workshops.asp 2008 Local Regional Visitor Centers Seminar
Only three weeks away, so register soon. This year’s seminar will be in historic Fredericksburg on Wednesday, March 26th and Thursday, March 27th. On Wednesday we’ll kick off the event with an area Day FAM, then gather on Thursday at the beautiful Jepson Alumni Executive Center for Seminar Day. We have an exciting agenda with exceptional speakers and informative topics. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event. Download the registration form and event details here.
Virginia Welcome Centers — 2008 Advertising Program
New locations and new options! As of Feb. 1st new product options and rates went into effect for Welcome Center advertising. Throughout the year we will introduce expanded and affordable advertising options that dovetail with brochure distribution and increase our partners’ exposure. These new components and products allow us to provide a variety of advertising options and deliver top-notch customer service to our tourism partners. For the newest rates and options visit the Virginia Welcome Centers on VATC.org. We look forward to working with you in 2008!
Virginia Welcome Center Demonstrations & Events
With the popular spring travel season approaching and peak travel following closely behind, schedule a “Demo Day.” A demo day at a welcome center is an ideal opportunity to showcase your destination or organization. Increase awareness and gain valuable hands-on exposure with Virginia visitors without participation fees or monetary investment.
For more information on the Virginia Welcome Center Demonstration Program, visit http://www.vatc.org/csir/Demonstrations.asp Opening Soon!
VTC is eagerly awaiting the final “go ahead” from VDOT for the re-opening of the Virginia Welcome Center at Clear Brook. This state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible facility will again allow our travel counselors to serve the traveling public on I-81 South. Stay tuned for more details and the Grand Opening event announcement. If you are interested in partnership opportunities for the event, please contact Sandra Hicks, shicks@virginia.org.
SYTA coming to Virginia
Come join the Norfolk CVB as we celebrate Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA)coming to Virginia in 2009! While Norfolk gears up for the 2008 Meal Function and the host city for the 2009 Conference, make sure your company has maximum exposure. You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to network with student tour operators from the USA and Canada. Sponsorship opportunities for both 2008 and 2009 are available. Your company does not have to be a SYTA member to support Norfolk. Please contact Melissa Hopper at (800) 368-3097 ext 611 or mhopper@norfolkcvb.com for sponsorship opportunities.
John Adams Premiere
Virginia is honored to host one of the premiere screenings of the HBO Mini-series John Adams which will be attended by numerous luminaries including Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, series producer Tom Hanks and David McCullough the Pulitzer-Prize winning author whose book was the basis for the series.. Filmed on location in Colonial Williamsburg and in the Richmond area, the series will be seen on HBO from March 16 – April 20. John Adams stars Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as his wife Abigail. It chronicles the life of this remarkable historical figure, a man whose fiercely independent spirit, reverence for the rule of law and commitment to personal liberty profoundly influenced the values on which our country was founded. The miniseries also explores the extraordinary relationship between Adams and Abigail, his wife of 54 years, a partnership regarded as one of the most moving love stories in American history. HBO has partnered with the United States Post Office on a promotion that celebrates the power of letter writing, along with a sweepstakes that features an adventure trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Visit www.hbo.com for more information. |
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Website Visitation Through February 2008  UP 21% YTDLodging Occupancy Rates Through January 2008  DOWN 2.8% from same period of 2007 Car Rentals Through January 2008 DOWN 3%from same period of 2007 Gas Sales Through October 2007 UP 2.4% from
the same period of 2006Click here to download the pdf for more information ... Virginia in the NewsTravelers want more action from their vacations MSNBC.com Vacationers ‘increasingly seeking the authentic unique experiences’. Va. historical sites find formula to draw more visitors USAToday.com Museum officials credit new displays, investments and outlooks with increasing visitors last year at some of Virginia's most famous historical sites. The Value of Voluntourism MSNBC.com Volunteer tourism, aka voluntourism, is alive and well and growing in popularity. Tourism Special Report from Bristol Herald Courier Tricities.com The Mountain Empire lacks a beach or an amusement park, but that hasn’t stopped the Tri-Cities region from capitalizing on its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. New and Updated Virginia.org Features New and updated features added to Virginia.org in the last few weeks are:
 This basic rectangular keyring features a full color "Virginia is for Lovers" logo printed on both sides and encased in clear acrylic cover.Go to the Virginia is for Lovers Shop to Order. Not on the
email list?Sign up for the Dashboard. If you have comments or suggestions for future issues of The Dashboard please contact Mary Bishop at mbishop@virginia.org or 804-545-5556. |
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