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 eNewsletter for the Virginia Tourism Industry
November 2009 
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President's Notes

Alisa BaileyThank you Virginia Tourism Partners!
As we are winding down one of the most challenging years in recent memory, I wanted to thank all of you for your professionalism and partnership.  Soon we will pull the grand prize winner of the largest promotion VTC has ever executed—40 Trips in 40 Weeks—to celebrate 40 years of Virginia Is For Lovers.  Thus far we have received 168,000 entries with 56,000 opt-ins from those potential customers to our consumer newsletter.  This would not have been possible without the packages you put forward.  As our induction into the Advertising Walk of Fame proved, Virginia Is For Lovers and our tourism industry are two elements of our marketing that are invaluable.  I also wanted to thank all who attended VA-1, which was attended by 350 industry partners.  Finally, I wanted to thank all destinations that have hosted our Help Desks.  Our recent sweep through Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Covington, Harrisonburg and Roanoke (all in two weeks) served more than 400 industry members.  With partners like you and with a staff that embodies hard work, professionalism and creativity, it is a pleasure for me to come to work each and every day.  Thank you.


Alisa Bailey
Virginia Tourism Update   Tourism Dashboard
Richard LewisWhat’s New is Due for Media
PR will be distributing a What's New in 2010 release to national media in December. Please enter all of your What’s New for 2010 submissions by November 30 to be considered for this news release. Submit What's New here.
Reminder: When your business or project is open or completed, be sure to add it to Virginia.org as a listing.

Jovandra CoxSign up for the DC Blitz - Station Domination!
One DC subway station, 30 consecutive days of advertising to more than 60,000 commuters per day, Virginia destinations featured on every single ad in the entire station (walls, floors, backlit dioramas). Join VTC in April on this multimedia branding engine to bring more visitors to your destination!
Contact Carey Mosser at BCF: cmosser@boomyourbrand.com; 757-497-4811.


Casey HigginsEvents and Packages Needed for Virginia.org
  • Family Winter Recreation and Whale Watching Packages
  • New Year’s Eve/First Night, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Black History Month, St. Patrick’s Day, and Historic Garden Week Events, Packages and Extend-a-Weekend Packages. Log into the Administration Tool to get begin submitting events and packages. Questions? Contact Casey Higgins.


    • Rita McClennyVirginia Native Has New Thriller
    The Box is a new feature film written and directed by Midlothian native Richard Kelly. The thriller was partially filmed at the Langely Air Force Base. Opens November 6th!


    Val GuffyYou're Invited to an Open House at our Welcome Centers!
    Come to an Open House at one of our Virginia Tourism Corporation Welcome Centers for a preview of our new and existing marketing options. Take advantage of a 10% discount on advertising products when reserved at an Open House. Get more information here.

    Jane GovoruhkNew Advertising Opportunity at Fredericksburg Welcome Center
    A NEW, contemporary, glass display case is now available for your custom and semi-permanent exhibit. Reserve it today and receive Nov and Dec rental free. For more information or to reserve the case contact Jane Govoruhk at jgovoruhk@virginia.org

    Jane GovoruhkNew Graphic Display Panel Availability at East Coast Gateway Welcome Center!
    New, state-of-the-art graphic display panels in various sizes are available. For details and options, please contact Jane Govoruhk at 804-545-5520 or Jgovoruhk@virginia.org. Reserve yours today as availability is limited.

    Steve GalyeanVTC Marketing Leverage Program
    The next round of VTC Marketing Leverage Program applications are due on Tuesday, December 1, 2009! For more information click here http://www.vatc.org/PAM/leverageprog.asp

    Carol Torricelli2010 VTC Travel & Consumer Show Program
    The VTC Travel & Consumer Show program is about to start for the 2010 season. Space is still available. Get all the information and forms here.


    Joni JohnsonRCMA Tradeshow
    Only 2 spots remaining! Partner with Virginia Tourism at Religious Conference Management Association 38th World Conference and Exposition held January 26-29, 2010 in Fort Worth, TX. Contact Joni Johnson for more information.

    Robin MamunesMeetings and Group Lead Reports Available
    Lead Reports now available for HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings, September 9-10, 2009 in Washington, DC; VSAE’s Fall Marketplace, October 1, 2009 in Richmond; and Student and Youth Travel Association 13th Annual SYTA Conference and Trade Show, held in Norfolk, VA - August 28-September 1, 2009. - contact Robin Mamunes

    Blue Ridge Travel AssociationBlue Ridge Travel Association Annual Conference
    November 12 – 13, 2009 Roanoke, VA – Hotel Roanoke. For more information, please contact Mary Jo Babbitt at 276-223-3447 or mjbabbitt@wytheville.org.


    Artisans Center of VirginiaVirginia Artisans: "Responsive & Ready!"
    2010 ACV Craft Conference & Business Institute with Artisan Craft Fair January 22 – 24, 2010 at the Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, VA. For more information, click here - http://www.artisancenterofvirginia.org/conference/index.shtml

    VA StartupEntrepreneur Express Workshops
    Entrepreneur Express events are scheduled around the state in the coming weeks. For a complete schedule of dates and locations, click here: http://www.vastartup.org/


    Business One StopVirginia's Business One Stop system
    The Business One Stop system will help you determine business formation requirements based on your specific type of business and business activities. Visit http://www.virginia.gov/bos/index.html

    Judy WatkinsMotorcycle Rides and Events Needed
    Submitting your “great ride” to Motorcycle Virginia’s website.  Fill out the electronic form to publicize motorcycle events and rides by going to http://www.motorcycleva.com.
    Be sure to add your events to Virginia.org as well! Log into the Administration Tool to get started.

    Casey HigginsAdmin Tool Tip
    RETAILERS: We now have a “retail” check box for your promotions for Virginia.org visitors! Log into the Administration Tool to get started. Questions? Contact Casey Higgins.


    Blue Ridge Parkway License PlateBlue Ridge Parkway License Plate
    The FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway organization is partnering with the Blue Ridge Parkway Association to sponsor a Blue Ridge Parkway specialty license plate in Virginia. The specialty plate features a photo of Mabry Mill.
    Learn more about Blue Ridge Parkway license plate program    .

    buttonFollow us on Twitter Join the Conversation!

     Dave Neudeck
  • Travel Industry: Announcements, News and Events Twitter.com/VTCdashboard



    • Dave Neudeck
  • Consumer: Travel Ideas, Discounts and Deals, Upcoming Events Twitter.com/VisitVirginia


    • Danielle Emerson
  • Public Relations: Reaching out to Media and Bloggers Twitter.com/VATourismPR

    		•    Website Visitation
    Through October 2009
    up UP 3.6% YTD

    Lodging Occupancy Rates
    Through September 2009
    DownDOWN 6.8% from same period of 2008

    Car Rentals
    Through September 2009
    DownDOWN 7.3% from same period of 2008

    Gas Sales
    Through June 2009
    Up UP 0.2% from the same period of 2008
    Sean McCarthyClick here to download the pdf for more information ...



    Tamra Talmadge-Anderson
    bullet Virginia in the News


    History-filled Gettysburg-Monticello route gains new status
    USA Today
    It has since designated 125 such roads, including five in West Virginia, two in Maryland and one each in Pennsylvania and Virginia. ...

    Hail to the Chiefs
    Wall Street Journal
    The inaugural wine festival at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's retreat home, will include 11 Virginia wineries pouring a full range of wines, food, ...

    Historic Triangle among world's iconic destinations
    dailypress.com
    National Geographic Traveler magazine has included the Historic Triangle, Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley in its list of the world's ...

    Tourism: Virginia's Top Stimulus Opportunity
    Richmond Times Dispatch
    Statewide tourism annually produces more than $18.7 billion in revenue for Virginia, spreading benefits primarily among thousands of small-business owners. ...

    It's time to celebrate Virginia wines
    Daily Press
    It's October and time to celebrate Virginia wine month. A big part of that celebration for me is the annual Town Point Virginia Wine Competition held Oct. 2 ...


    Casey HigginsbuttonNew and Updated Virginia.org Features
    New and updated features added to Virginia.org in the last few weeks are:
  • First Thanksgiving
  • 100 Miles of Lights
  • 10 Holiday Shopping Tips
  • Virginia Wineries for the Holidays
  • Holiday Home Tours
  • Holiday Parades & Tree Lightings
  • December in Virginia
  • Handmade Holidays
  • Holiday Home Tours
  • First Nights & New Year’s Eve Events
  • The Homestead for the Holidays
  • A Christmas Town Weekend
  • Wintergreen Resort: Memories in the Making
    •

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