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 National Tourism Week PR Tool Kit
 VTC has created a tool kit for DMOs to help localities spread the word about the economic impact and importance of tourism in Virginia. The kit includes a sample news release, graphics, a sample letter to legislators and other helpful items. Get the Tool Kit here.Celebrate Tourism Week
Join VTC in celebration of Tourism Week (May 10-May 18)! Schedule your demo or event day at one of our Virginia Welcome Centers soon, as calendars are filling up! Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit with our Virginia travelers and share information about your organization, attraction or destination! What can you do to show your appreciation to our Virginia tourists?
To learn more visit www.vatc.org/csir/Demonstrations.asp New 85% Off Advertising Opportunity Virginia Living Magazine for $300!
This is a Buy Down co-op for the Sep/Oct 08 issue of Virginia Living Magazine. The theme is "Haunts of Virginia". There are only 12 spots available at the bargain price of $332 for a 1/6 page ad! First come first served! Space is due 8/1 and materials are due 8/6. From historic to haunted, Virginia has the product for all the "bizarro babies" out there to make a fall getaway fun! Get more information here.
Gas Deals Wanted
Media and consumers are looking for travel deals in Virginia that off-set the high cost of gas. Please consider developing a special package or discount and post on Virginia.org. Packages could include "$20 off a two night stay for travelers from 20 miles away or more", "free $20 gas card with two night stay", or how about "$5 off admission for families of four or more traveling from out of state". Log in to the Administration Tool to add your deals.
Virginia Green Travel Site
www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org, a new Web site dedicated to environmentally friendly travel in Virginia was recently launched. The new travel site supports Virginia Green, a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that promotes environmentally friendly practices in Virginia’s tourism industry. Learn more at www.vatc.org/virginiagreen/
2008 Virginia Festivals & Events Association Regional Seminar: Behind the Scenes at Celebrate Fairfax!
The Virginia Festivals and Events Association is offering the first in a series of regional workshops and invites you to an exciting and informative program on June 6 & 7 onsite at the CELEBRATE FAIRFAX! FESTIVAL. This two day program will feature speakers presenting programs and information on topics such as the mechanics of on-line ticketing, booking national/headline entertainment, laser shows, food and beverage operations, volunteer management, family programming, and security. Participants will get a back scene tour of the main stage, have an opportunity to speak with vendors, volunteers, and staff, and experience the festival as a customer. For more information and on-line registration, go to the VFEA website at www.vfea.com.
Live Passionately with the 2009 Virginia Travel Guide
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers, one of the most recognizable tourism slogans in the world. You can participate in the 40th anniversary year by purchasing an advertisement or listing in the 2009 Virginia Travel Guide, the VTC’s primary consumer fulfillment piece. The travel guide is printed in December, and the VTC will distribute 600,000 printed copies in 2009 and another 100,000 electronic versions of the guide.
For information about ad rates and sizes, contact Jo Diedrich at Leisure Publishing at 540-090-0052. For listing information, contact Jenny Dorsey at Leisure at 540-989-6138. For general questions, please contact Judy Watkins at VTC at 804-545-5563 or jwatkins@virginia.org. Sales Leads Available
Sales leads are available from the following recent trade shows: National Tour Association Spring Conference; Travel South Showcase; and American Bus Association Marketplace. Contact Robin Mamunes at rmamunes@virginia.org.
Meetings show leads are also available from the following meetings shows: Springtime Expo and Religious Conference Management Association World Conference and Expo. Contact Robin Mamunes at rmamunes@virginia.org Trade Show Opportunities
VTC is looking for Virginia partners to exhibit at the following tradeshows: Fraternity Executives Association Annual Conference – July 9-12, 2008 and HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National – September 10-11, 2008. Contact Joni Johnson at 545-5544 or jjohnson@virginia.org for more details.
Workshop Opportunities
Building a Creative Economy in Southwest Virginia: Arts, Culture and Sustainable Development May 19 and 20, 2008 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA. The term "creative economy" has come to describe economic development strategies that cultivate home grown businesses and entrepreneurship, that build on the cultural, artistic and natural assets of a region, that engage the community directly, and that are ecologically sustainable. In Southwest Virginia, this has involved a wide range of enterprises, from artisan, craft and traditional music venues, to organic farms and "green building" ventures. Learn about this emerging creative economy and its potential for strengthening our communities and overall economic health. For more information visit www.roundthemountain.org.
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 Jonesville, Roanoke, Galax, Kenbridge, Front Royal and other Virginia locations. For a complete schedule of dates and locations, click here: http://www.vastartup.org/dates.html For a complete list of upcoming workshops, please visit http://www.vatc.org/development/workshops.asp Virginia Film Competition Winners
The Virginia Film Office has just concluded its first annual Virginia Film Competition to which documentaries, short films, and feature length films created by Virginia filmmakers from all areas of the state were submitted. Thirteen finalists had their films screened at the first Virginia Independent Film Festival in Richmond, where the winners were announced. This program was created to showcase the talents of Virginia’s exceptional filmmaking community. Competition winners were Rick McVey (Bristol), Joseph Rohrs (Virginia Beach), John Francis Black II (Gainesville) and Olivia Dodson (Amherst).
Clear Brook Welcome Center Unveiled
On April 8th, Alisa Bailey and other dignitaries cut the ribbon to officially reopen the Virginia Welcome Center at Clear Brook. Unveiled was a state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible facility that boasts more than 15,000 square feet and incorporates both a Safety Rest Area and Virginia Welcome Center. The Safety Rest Area, which is open 24-hours a day, features real-time travel and weather information screens, indoor vending, hiking path and picnic area.
For our industry partners, this expansion presents more advertising opportunities; up-to-date advertising mediums such as enhanced image panels, branding banners and interactive displays may be introduced. Watch for the announcement of these new designs as they become available.
In addition, the welcome center houses a new Community Meeting Room. This multi-use room, complete with built-in PC, large plasma screen and AV equipment, is available for industry partner meetings, training sessions and industry demonstrations.
For more information about the VWC at Clear Brook or to request the Community Meeting Room, please contact Judy Kirby, Tourism Relations Manager. You can reach her at 540-722-3448 or JKirby@virginia.org
Help Us Help You!
Our Virginia Welcome Centers staff promotes attractions, destinations and lodging establishments statewide. Help us gain firsthand knowledge of your organization by hosting a mini or multi-day FAM for your region, attraction or destinations. FAM tours provide our staff with the extra details and personal experience that help us knowledgeably promote your organization and assist Virginia visitors. To discuss your custom FAM tour, please contact Sandra Hicks at 804.545.5583 or SHicks@virginia.org.
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Website Visitation Through April 2008  UP 8% YTDLodging Occupancy Rates Through March 2008  DOWN 4.5% from same period of 2007 Car Rentals Through March 2008 DOWN 0.9% 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 NewsVa. tourism officials launch 'green' certification program USA Today - USA Virginia tourism officials are promoting environmentally friendly attractions with a new website, VirginiaGreenTravel.org. 150th Civil War anniversary looming Northern Virginia Daily The 150th anniversary of the Civil War is approaching, and Virginia is planning to roll out the red carpet for the rest of the country from 2009 through 2015. Va. Tourism Corp. promoting gas-friendly attractions WWBT If the price of gas doesn't encourage travelers to park the car this summer, perhaps a new Virginia tourism campaign will. Paddling, Wining and Dining on the Other Eastern Shore Girlfriends’ getaways a booming trend in travel Connecting the dots of Patrick Henry's life New and Updated Virginia.org Features New and updated features added to Virginia.org in the last few weeks are:
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Virginia Flashing Lapel Pin
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