Q3 Reimbursements due 10/31
October 31 is the deadline for submitting reimbursement materials for Pandora, Comcast, Facebook/Instagram and Google programs that ran July-September 2019. Please refer to the program’s application for a list of required documentation. Reimbursements will be issued by November 30.

The Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of tourism partnerships and to extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign. Applications are due back on Dec. 17, 2019. (Draft Review Deadline is Nov. 21.)

Capital Region USA (CRUSA) is hosting their annual Global Marketing Update on Thursday, October 24th at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria in Virginia. This international marketing summit features the latest news and research on overseas visitation, tips and trends for international marketers, updates on CRUSA’s target and emerging markets, and more. The one-day event will allow attendees to meet with CRUSA’s market representatives and learn best practices for bringing more overseas visitors to your destination or attraction.

Fall is here and we want your content included on Virginia.org. Add or update Fall and food-centric packages and deals, festivals, and fall events. Get a jump start on updating and adding content for the Holidays too. Please be sure your content is updated so you’ll be included in our Fall and Holiday promotions. Log in here: https://admin.virginia.org. Contact Robin Mamunes with questions – Robin Mamunes.

Get highly targeted click thrus to your website and differentiate your business on Virginia.org.
For more information download this PDF on Virginia.Org Advertising and contact Jo Diedrich of LeisureMedia360 at 540-580-8767.

Placements are available for the remaining 2019 and 2020 eNewsletters. 3 positions are available at varying costs. See the calendar and specifications. See pricing and sign up for a placement here.

Please send your recommendations for the following to Stephanie Kenney by Friday, October 18:

• Wineries with event space

Register now to partner in the VTC booth and be visible at American Bus Association Marketplace – January 10-15, 2020. Space is limited to 25 registered delegates and is first come, first served.

In preparation for our upcoming conferences, we are in need of 2020 dates for your top group and family friendly events. Please send events for consideration to Stephanie Kenney by Friday, October 25. Also let us know about new or renovated tourism products/services with this form.

Check out the Marketing Calendar for partner opportunities.

Looking for new prospects? Visit the following links on VATC.org for a complete listing of our free tour & travel and meetings & conventions lead reports. Email Joni Johnson for sports marketing lead reports.

The holiday months are fast approaching! Get your event or business in front of the holiday travelers with a winter blitz or special event kit at the VA welcome centers. We have several centers with blitz months available to showcase your tourism business during the holidays. We also have special event kit spaces open for you to highlight your event for 2 weeks prior to its start. For more information and pricing please contact Gary Jeffrey, 276-730-4582 or gjeffrey@virginia.org.

The LOVEwork has been traveling around the state creating excitement wherever it goes! Get your requests in now for Fall and Winter 2019 and have the LOVE at your event or destination. Just submit our LOVEwork application. It’s that easy! For questions, contact Noelle Baker – (804) 545-5520.

Join us for a one-and-a-half-day interactive session in Richmond where you will learn about VTC’s marketing strategies and programs and how you can work with VTC. Orientation is a must for tourism marketers, DMOs, managers/owners of Virginia tourism properties and those who want to increase their visitation. The 2019 Orientation Dates are Dec. 4-5. Cost: $45.

Registration is open for the 2019 VA1 Tourism Summit at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. This year’s theme, “Crafting a Powerful Story,” will focus on how to develop and make the most of YOUR story. VA1 will encourage attendees to find the unique elements of their organization, location, or brand, and then connect with visitors, grow relationships, and share their best.

It’s Time to Apply for a Virginia Green Travel Star Award! The awards annually recognize those facilities and individuals that are leading the way to support green tourism in Virginia. Awards opportunities are available in many categories, including our new Virginia Green All-Star Awards for individuals – so please consider nominating someone on your staff.

Out of the gate with exciting news: Virginia’s tourism revenues had another record-breaking year in 2018 by reaching $26 billion, a 4.4% increase over 2017. Visitor spending has continued to grow nine years in a row. At the local level, we are also seeing similar patterns with every locality and region in Virginia showing an increase in travel expenditures in 2018 compared to 2017. Consumers’ appetite for unique experiences has increased travel demand to an all-time high. As we begin the final stretch of 2019, we are excited about a number of opportunities coming up in the weeks and months ahead.

VTC has assessed partner needs, campaign successes, and the current media landscape to create a program that is well-managed, cost-effective, and results-oriented. The FY20 Industry Advertising Co-Op Program offers simple, affordable, and flexible advertising opportunities so our industry partners can participate in impactful media campaigns. The program is available July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020. These programs help your bottom-line.
Contact Lindsey Norment to learn more.

The Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of tourism partnerships and to extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign. The Fall round of applications will open on Sept. 10, 2019 and are due back on Dec. 17, 2019. (Draft Review Deadline is Nov. 21.)

Registration is open for the 2019 VA1 Tourism Summit at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. This year’s theme, “Crafting a Powerful Story,” will focus on how to develop and make the most of YOUR story. VA1 will encourage attendees to find the unique elements of their organization, location, or brand, and then connect with visitors, grow relationships, and share their best. New speakers have been announced and rooms are going fast!

You participated, we all won! VTC was recognized with the prestigious National Council of State Tourism Directors Mercury Award during the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Education Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference, held in Austin, TX. With the annual Mercury Awards, the U.S. Travel Association recognizes state and territory tourism offices for excellence and creative accomplishment in travel marketing and promotion. Winning programs serve as models to foster imagination and innovation in the development of future destination programs. This is VTC’s 11th Mercury Award for its work promoting Virginia’s exceptional tourism assets and experiences. VTC was also a finalist in two additional categories: Public Relations and Niche Targeting.

VTC partnered with 35 destination marketing organizations across the state, each bringing their own local partners into the campaign. In all, more than 200 partners engaged with the campaign, making a significant impact on the tourism industry in Virginia.
To learn more about Crush Friday and the results of the program, click here.

September is recognized as Virginia Spirits Month to celebrate and promote Virginia as the Birthplace of American Spirits – with 61 active licensed Virginia distilleries who are flag bearers of our nation’s history. Virginia’s distilled spirits industry employs approximately 1,500 Virginians, and is performing better than ever, resulting in more than $163 million dollars in economic impact to the Commonwealth. Raise a glass, it’s five o’clock for 30 days.

FALL! We are on the lookout for Fall and food-centric packages and deals. Please be sure your content on Virginia.org is updated so you’ll be included in our Fall promotions. Log in here: https://admin.virginia.org to update your listings. Questions? Contact Robin Mamunes.

We are looking for VA recipes and significant contributions to the tourism industry by women. Send information to Monica Mitchell.

Get highly targeted click thrus to your website and differentiate your business on Virginia.org.
For more information download this PDF on Virginia.Org Advertising and contact Jo Diedrich of LeisureMedia360 at 540-580-8767.

Placements are available for the remaining 2019 and 2020 eNewsletters. 3 positions are available at varying costs. See the calendar and specifications. See pricing and sign up for a placement here.

Each year, the VTC Communications team compiles What’s New, a compilation of new, renovated or expanded attractions, accommodations and travel services opening in Virginia. This book is shared with in-state, regional, domestic and international media.
We will be sending an email about how DMO’s can submit information soon. In the meantime, check out last year’s book for some inspiration: https://pressroom.virginia.org/whatsnew/

Please send your recommendations for the following to Stephanie Kenney by Friday, September 13:

• Distilleries with meeting/event space

Please update your listings on Virginia.org/Groups, Virginia.org/Meetings and SportsVirginia.org. If you need help, contact Stephanie Kenney.

The Meeting Venue search feature on Virginia.org/Meetings has recently undergone an update. It is now easer to add/update your meeting venue rooms and specs. Please be sure to check your listings to ensure they are in the correct category. Download the Administration Tool Instruction Manual for details.

Check out the Marketing Calendar for partner opportunities.

Looking for new prospects? Visit the following links on VATC.org for a complete listing of our free tour & travel and meetings & conventions lead reports. Email Joni Johnson for sports marketing lead reports. The following leads are now available:

• Student and Youth Travel Association Annual Conference, Birmingham, AL – Aug. 9-13, 2019

Bring more than 100 dedicated tourism professionals to your city/county by hosting the 2020 Visitors Centers Seminar. Work closely with VTC to spotlight your tourism assets and help to educate the industry. If your CVB/DMO/Chamber is interested in hosting this seminar and would like more information, please contact Noelle Baker at nbaker@virginia.org.

The holiday months are fast approaching! Get your event or business in front of the holiday travelers with a winter blitz or special event kit at the VA welcome centers. We have several centers with blitz months available to showcase your tourism business during the holidays. We also have special event kit spaces open for you to highlight your event for 2 weeks prior to its start. For more information and pricing please contact Gary Jeffrey, 276-730-4582 or gjeffrey@virginia.org.

The LOVEwork has been traveling around the state creating excitement wherever it goes! Get your requests in now for Fall and Winter 2019 and have the LOVE at your event or destination. Just submit our LOVEwork application. It’s that easy! For questions, contact Noelle Baker – (804) 545-5520.

Join us for a one-and-a-half-day interactive session in Richmond where you will learn about VTC’s marketing strategies and programs and how you can work with VTC. Orientation is a must for tourism marketers, DMOs, managers/owners of Virginia tourism properties and those who want to increase their visitation. The remaining 2019 Orientation Date is Dec. 4-5. Cost: $45.

Peace, Love & Tourism
Second Annual Celebrate Tourism Summit
September 12, 2019, Wytheville

Civil War Trails has developed a new consumer page for our website. This new page features an interactive, GPS-based map to help visitors find each of our sites and the wealth of amenities available in each of your communities. The new site is scheduled to launch September 1.
As we approach the launch date, we need your team to prepare promotions to ensure this tool gets into the hands of our guests.

Thanks to all of you who have already re-certified your environmental commitments with the Virginia Green Travel Program. For the rest of you, there is still time! If it has been more than 2 years since you joined or re-certified, you are no longer current with your Virginia Green Certification. The Virginia Green logo will be removed from your listings and search-filters with VTC absolutely by the end of 2019. All of the Virginia Green Travel Certification information is found here – please re-certify today!

50 Years Of LOVE

Content Needs For Virginia.org

Display Advertising On Virginia.org

Advertise In The Consumer eNewsletters

2020 Travel Guide Advertising

VTC Marketing Grant Awardees

VTC Marketing Leverage Program, Fall 2018 Awardees
During Fall 2018, VTC awarded over $625,000 in VTC Marketing Leverage Grants to 33 projects in Virginia. The 135 partners matched the VTC funds with over $2.1 million in partner dollars. The Spring 2019 VTC Marketing Leverage Awards will be announced by the end of August 2019.

VTC Music Festival Sponsorship, 2019 Awardees
VTC awarded $216,000 to 34 Virginia Music Festivals in 2019. The estimated economic impact of the awarded festivals is over $70 million. In 2018 the attendance for the awarded festivals was over 636,000.

Domestic Sales Blog

Please send your recommendations for the following to Stephanie Kenney by Friday, August 16:

• Spooky Itineraries and Trip Ideas
• Eat Like a Local, Specialty Cuisine and Catering for Events

Keep VTC Domestic Sales Up To Date

Please update your listings on Virginia.org/Groups, Virginia.org/Meetings and SportsVirginia.org. If you need help, contact Stephanie Kenney.

The Meeting Venue search feature on Virginia.org/Meetings has recently undergone an update. It is now easer to add/update your meeting venue rooms and specs. There is also a new category for Breweries. Please be sure to check your listings to ensure they are in the correct category. Download the Administration Tool Instruction Manual for details.

Stay Visible With Lead Reports And Partnerships

Check out the Marketing Calendar for partner opportunities.

Looking for new prospects? Visit the following links on VATC.org for a complete listing of our free tour & travel and meetings & conventions lead reports. Email Joni Johnson for sports marketing lead reports.

Host the 2020 Visitor Centers Seminar!

Bring the LOVE to your Destination

VTC Orientation Program

VA1 Tourism Summit

Crafting a Powerful Story
November 17 – 19, 2019
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington
Join us at the 2019 VA1 Tourism Conference as we focus on Crafting a Powerful Story. Gather with 500 of your peers in Arlington to explore, learn, and connect.

Help launch the new GPS-based consumer page this fall.

VRLTA Ordinary Awards

Thanks for Re-Certifying!

50 Years Of LOVE

Pop-Up Events at Welcome Centers

Through August 10, our special 3D LOVEwork is traveling to 50 Years of Love events at Virginia Welcome Centers, where visitors can take photos, receive a commemorative postcard and participate in giveaways. Media will also be invited to the upcoming Pop-Ups at Bristol (July 19) and Northern Virginia Gateway (Aug. 9-10). Contact Danielle Emerson with questions.

Industry Advertising Co-Op Program

FY19 submissions for reimbursement are due July 31 (Social, Search and Cable TV programs). All FY20 programs are open for application. Contact Lindsey Norment with questions.

Call For Entries: 2020 Virginia Travel Guide Covers

Calling all photographers! We’re looking for your best and most beautiful images of Virginia to feature on the cover of our 2020 Travel Guide. Find out how to submit your images below.

Display Advertising On Virginia.org

Get highly targeted click thrus to your website and differentiate your business on Virginia.org.
For more information download this PDF on Virginia.Org Advertising and contact Jo Diedrich of LeisureMedia360 at 540-580-8767.

Advertise In The Consumer eNewsletters

Placements are available for the 2019 and 2020 eNewsletters. 3 positions are available at varying costs. See the calendar and specifications. See pricing and sign up for a placement here.

Content Needs For Virginia.org

It’s summer and there are festivals, and Labor Day events on Virginia.org that need updating. Please be sure all of your content is up to date so you are visible on our site. And Fall is not far away! Log into the Admin Tool to update your expired or add your new events and packages. Questions? Contact Robin Mamunes.

Domestic Sales Blog

Please send your recommendations for the following to Stephanie Kenney by Friday, July 19:

Keep VTC Domestic Sales Up To Date

Please update your listings on Virginia.org/Groups, Virginia.org/Meetings and SportsVirginia.org. If you need help, contact Stephanie Kenney.

In preparation for the Student and Youth Travel Association Conference, please add your Student Performance Venue or contact Stephanie to update your current listing. Please also send any new student programs to Stephanie.

Stay Visible With Lead Reports And Partnerships

Check out the Marketing Calendar for partner opportunities.

Looking for new prospects? Visit the following links on VATC.org for a complete listing of our free tour & travel and meetings & conventions lead reports. Email Joni Johnson for sports marketing lead reports.

Volunteers Still Needed For State Games Of America

The State Games of America will be hosted for the first time in Virginia in Lynchburg – July 31 -August 4, 2019.
Volunteer Here to help welcome 15,000 athletes and their families.

Welcome Center & Safety Rest Area Brochure Distribution

SAVE 50%! Capture the eye and interest of visitors that are already here – increase your exposure to millions of Virginia in-market visitors. Enroll your brochure in the I-95, 85 & 66 Safety Rest Area corridor for the remainder of 2019 for ONLY $1,605.00. Act now to take advantage of one of PMAP’s best values per pull and per impression, as space is limited. Enroll here!

Bring the LOVE to your Destination

The LOVEwork has been traveling around the state creating excitement wherever it goes! Get your requests in now for Fall and Winter 2019 and have the LOVE at your event or destination. Just submit our LOVEwork application. It’s that easy! For questions, contact Noelle Baker – (804) 545-5520.

VTC Orientation Program

Join us for a one-and-a-half-day interactive session in Richmond where you will learn about VTC’s marketing strategies and programs and how you can work with VTC. Orientation is a must for tourism marketers, DMOs, managers/owners of Virginia tourism properties and those who want to increase their visitation. The 2019 Orientation Dates are: Sept. 18-19 and Dec. 4-5. Cost: $45.

VA1 Tourism Summit

Crafting a Powerful Story
November 17 – 19, 2019
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington
Join us at the 2019 VA1 Tourism Conference as we focus on Crafting a Powerful Story. Gather with 500 of your peers in Arlington to explore, learn, and connect.

VRLTA Ordinary Awards

VRLTA (Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association) is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Ordinary Awards, which recognize Virginians who demonstrates exemplary passion for the hospitality and travel industry.
The awards feature 18 individual and organizational awards across four primary categories: Travel, Lodging, Restaurant and Beverage/Others. Awards include categories such as Restaurant Employee of the Year, Chef of the Year, Hotelier of the Year, Attractions of the Year, etc. Nominations are due Sept. 6, 2019; winners will honored at a gala dinner in Richmond on Oct. 10 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa / Short Pump.

Thou Must Re-Certify!

If you joined the Virginia Green Travel program longer than 2 years ago and haven’t re-certified, you are now officially no longer Virginia green-certified. We are trying to be very flexible with our partners during this process, but the Virginia Green logo will be removed from your listings and search-filters with VTC absolutely by the end of 2019. You would also be asked to remove the Virginia Green logo from your facility, website and sale materials. So please re-certify! All of the Virginia Green Travel Certification information is found here – and you will see that there are now 2 levels of certification from which to choose.

Many thanks to all who are helping us celebrate 50 Years of Love! We would like to use high-resolution images of any products or events you are having. Please be sure to share any high-resolution images with Sarah Hauser, so we can help promote your activations.
If you have questions or would like to get involved, contact Lindsey Norment or Leah Harms.

FY20 Co-Op Program Now Open
Details of the Industry Advertising Co-Op Program for July 1, 2019 – June 20, 2020 are now available. Thanks to your feedback, the best performing programs have been retained and enhanced, and a new streaming audio program with Pandora has been added. Contact Lindsey Norment with questions.

Production is underway for the 2020 Virginia Travel Guide! We’re excited to continue the editorial format and incorporate even more local voices and inspiring photography to tell Virginia’s best travel stories. To advertise in the 2020 Guide, contact your regional rep at the link below.

The Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of tourism partnerships and to extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign. Applications are now open and are due back on June 25, 2019.

Get highly targeted click thrus to your website and differentiate your business on Virginia.org.
For more information download this PDF on Virginia.Org Advertising and contact Jo Diedrich of LeisureMedia360 at 540-580-8767.

Placements are available for the 2019 eNewsletters. 3 positions are available at varying costs. See the calendar and specifications. See pricing and sign up for a placement here.

Summer is here! Are you ready? Log into the Admin Tool to update your expired or add your new Summer events and packages. Don’t forget about your Summer festivals, July 4th events, parades and festivities and Music and Wine Festivals. Questions? Contact Robin Mamunes.

Please update your listings on Virginia.org/Groups, Virginia.org/Meetings and SportsVirginia.org. If you need help, contact Stephanie Kenney.

In preparation for the Student and Youth Travel Association Conference, please add your Student Performance Venue or contact Stephanie to update your current listing. Please also send any new student programs to Stephanie.

Please send your recommendations for the following to Stephanie Kenney by Friday, June 21:

• Group Friendly Outdoor Activities/Tours
• Activities and Events for athletes and families to do in and around Lynchburg during the State Games of America (July 31-Aug. 4)

Looking for new prospects? Visit the following links on VATC.org for a complete listing of our free tour & travel and meetings & conventions lead reports. Email Joni Johnson for sports marketing lead reports.

The State Games of America will be hosted for the first time in Virginia in Lynchburg – July 31 -August 4, 2019.
Volunteer Here to help welcome 15,000 athletes and their families.

2019 enrollment for the Partnership Marketing and Advertising Program at the Virginia Welcome Centers and Safety Rest Areas is now open. Visit our website, www.welcomeva.com, and register today!

Join us for a one-and-a-half-day interactive session in Richmond where you will learn about VTC’s marketing strategies and programs and how you can work with VTC. Orientation is a must for tourism marketers, DMOs, managers/owners of Virginia tourism properties and those who want to increase their visitation. The 2019 Orientation Dates are: Sept. 18-19 and Dec. 4-5. Cost: $45.

VRLTA (Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association) is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Ordinary Awards, which recognize Virginians who demonstrates exemplary passion for the hospitality and travel industry.
The awards feature 18 individual and organizational awards across four primary categories: Travel, Lodging, Restaurant and Beverage/Others. Awards include categories such as Restaurant Employee of the Year, Chef of the Year, Hotelier of the Year, Attractions of the Year, etc. Nominations are due Sept. 6, 2019; winners will honored at a gala dinner in Richmond on Oct. 10 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa / Short Pump.

There is still time to get your upcoming festival or conference as a Certified Virginia Green Travel Event! Details here on resources, available assistance and the application for certification.