| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | April 10, 2019 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC leads TUI fam tour of Asheville, Charlotte
* Opportunities available to partner with Visit NC at 2020 consumer travel shows
* TRAC coming to Burlington/Alamance County and region next week
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 | | | The group at Navitat |
Visit NC leads TUI familiarization tour of Asheville, Charlotte
Visit North Carolina, in conjunction with partners at Explore Georgia, Asheville CVB and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, hosted 10 TUI (Tourism Union International) Group German travel agents, office managers and product managers on a familiarization fly-and-drive tour, March 24-27. The tour included stops at Biltmore Estate, Navitat Canopy Adventures, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center, Chimney Rock, a Segway tour with Charlotte NC Tours, Charlotte Hornets, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carolina Premium Outlets, and several site visits of accommodations. Visit North Carolina's international efforts are a joint collaboration with destination marketing partners across the state. As part of its international marketing, Visit NC partners with DMOs, attractions and hotels to showcase all that North Carolina has to offer International visitors. Hosting fam tours is a successful way that allows tour operators to experience various aspects of the state so they can better promote travel to North Carolina. To learn more about Visit NC's international marketing programs, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762 |
Opportunities available to partner with Visit NC at 2020 consumer travel shows There are a few spots still available for industry partners to join Visit NC at consumer travel shows in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and, new for 2020, Atlanta, Ga. The Travel & Adventure Show is offering a substantial reduction in cost for all three T&A shows but will need confirmation by close of business onThursday, April 18. These consumer shows offer additional opportunities for Visit NC - and its interested partners - for promoting travel to North Carolina to potential visitors who are actively looking for travel suggestions and information. * (New) Feb. 29-Mar. 1 - Travel & Adventure Show in Atlanta, Ga. - 8 spots available The cost to attend is $850 per partner, per show. Visit NC is requiring 100 percent participation for "staffing" at each of the consumer travel shows next year. If you'd like to participate in any of these shows, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
| | | A previous TRAC in Creedmoor |
TRAC coming to Burlington/Alamance County and surrounding region next week
Next week, on Thursday,April 18, tourism-related businesses in Burlington/Alamance County - plus the surrounding counties - will have an opportunity to work with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about its research, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices in reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit North Carolina's Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) is a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses. TRAC will be held 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Drury Inn & Suites, 1767 Glidewell Drive in Burlington. There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there is no PowerPoint presentation. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you'd-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event. TRAC brings Visit North Carolina's program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners. Representatives from the EDPNC's BLNC, N.C. Welcome Centers/Visitor Services, N.C. State Parks, Agritourism, and NC GreenTravel are often on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
| | | CRVA hosts "book-end" the speakers |
Walters discusses international marketing as part of CRVA seminar
Visit NC's Heidi Walters was a speaker at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority's seminar "Beyond Domestic" yesterday (Tuesday). Along with Walters, other speakers and panelists included representatives with Booking.com, Brand USA, International Tourism Resources Group, Hotelbeds, Global CIF and Gastaldi. The group spoke to CRVA partners about doing business with international visitors and making the best of any "down-times" for hotels, restaurants and attractions. To learn more about Visit NC's international marketing program, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762. |
| | | The NC booth was quite popular | |
N.C. Film Office, regional film commissions attend 2019 AFCI Week N.C. Film Office Director Guy Gaster, along with representatives from the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Piedmont Triad Film Commission, and Charlotte Regional Film Commission, were in the greater Los Angeles area last week (April 2-5) representing the state at the Association of Film Commissioners' International signature event, AFCI Week. The now-annual event is a combination of industry meet-ups, educational discussions, a tradeshow and exclusive breakfast honoring some of the industries' top production executives. During the event, the N.C. delegation highlighted the state's 25 percent rebate program (funded through the N.C. Film and Entertainment Grant) as well as its renowned crew base, strong infrastructure, and picturesque locations. The N.C. group even shared Krispy Kreme doughnuts with attendees at the tradeshow portion of the week's activities. In addition to the officially scheduled AFCI Week activities, Gaster and the regional commissioners conducted individual meetings with several production companies about potential projects. |
Two N.C.-filmed productions get release dates
Two N.C.-filmed productions, each recipients of the state's rebate program funded through the N.C. Film and Entertainment Grant, have had their release dates recently announced. The highly anticipated series Swamp Thing will debut May 31. Its pilot and the remainder of Season 1 are being filmed in the southeast area of the state while basedout of EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington. The reimagining of the noted comic book character will be one of the first original shows for DC Universe, a new streaming platform dedicated to the characters from DC Comics. |
In addition to Swamp Thing, the Hallmark Channel has announced that the N.C.-filmed, made-for-TV movie The Christmas Song will debut Oct. 25, kicking off the Hallmark Channel's signature holiday movie season. The Christmas Song (whose working title was When Angels Land) filmed in the greater Charlotte area earlier this year and stars Kristen Chenoweth and Scott Wolf. Combined, the two projects are estimated to have spent in excess of $75 million during their time in the state. Each was heavily recruited by the N.C. Film Office with several of the recent enhancements to the rebate program playing key roles in the state's ability to land the projects. |
I-95 North N.C. Welcome Center closed for major construction project, relocated to Halifax County CVB's VC
The I-95 North N.C. Welcome Center is now temporarily closed with plans to reopen in December. N.C. Dept. of Transportation plans a major construction project for the site, which includes both the building and grounds. The staff has relocated to the Halifax County CVB's Visitors Center in Roanoke Rapids to continue servicing visitors to the state. The Welcome Center's normal operating hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, remain the same. To contact the I-95 North N.C. Welcome Center, call (252) 537-3365, as the phone number also remains the same, or contact Manager Frieda Day.
Additionally, the I-95 North Welcome Center will be hosting its National Travel & Tourism Week event on May 9 at the Nash County rest area, located at mile marker 142 off I-95 South near Dortches.
The N.C. Dept. of Transportation plans to upgrade several aspects of the Welcome Center building, as necessary, such as roofing, replacing windows, doors and other interior improvements, to maintain a safe and inviting environment for everyone. It will be enhancing the landscape, adding attractive décor such as waterfalls at the entrance of the buildings. Additionally, it will improve the parking options by working on easier accessibility to the Welcome Center and enhancing the sidewalks. NCDOT will also conduct major work inside the Rest Area building, including new restrooms.
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| | | The display at I-95 South N.C. Welcome Center |
N.C. Welcome Centers offer "Cheers!" for N.C. Beer Month The N.C. Welcome Centers are spotlighting April as N.C. Beer Month with displays highlighting the craft brewing industry in the state. Displays include a range of items from brochures and publications to a simulated sample beer flight featuring grains. North Carolina's nine Welcome Centers promote thousands of tourism-related businesses - attractions, accommodations, events and more - to visitors already in the state who are actively seeking travel information. While each of the nine Welcome Center has a statewide focus with an emphasis on information for visitors traveling a particular interstate corridor, they offer partners an excellent opportunity to showcase upcoming events or area attractions on a rotating, as-available basis. To find out more, contact N.C. Dept. of Commerce Visitor Services Program Manager Wally Wazan at (919) 814 4649. |
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World Irish Dancing Championships expected to have $7.5 million economic impact for Greensboro Back in 2017, two people toured the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro as they sought a site for a regional Irish dancing championship. When they saw the center's four ballrooms and nearly 1,000 hotel rooms in the adjoining Sheraton, they realized that it could host a much larger competition: the World Irish Dancing Championships, which have been called the Olympics of Irish dance. Their visit set in motion plans on both sides of the Atlantic to bring to Greensboro thousands of dancers, their families, teachers and fans from around the globe April 14-21. The city plans for more than 5,000 female and male dancers, ages 8 to 30, from more than 27 countries, and 10,000 to 25,000 spectators. The city expects to rent 18,500 rooms in about 20 hotels, according to the Greensboro CVB's Henri Fourier. He estimated that the event will mean about $7.5 million in economic impact from spending on hotel rooms, restaurants, shopping, transportation and sightseeing. |
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Applications submitted by May 1 for Legends & Lore roadside marker program may influence additional funding in N.C.
Although accepting Legends & Lore marker applications throughout the year, you can make an important contribution to the North Carolina Folklife Institute by submitting your application by May 1. Applications received by May 1, with markers installed by Oct. 1, count towards the Pomeroy Foundation's Marker Grant Challenge: the state's folklife organization (in North Carolina, the N.C. Folklife Institute) that receives the most applications within that timeframe will receive up to $5,000 in additional funding from Pomeroy. The N.C. Folklife Institute is a statewide partner of the Pomeroy Foundation in bringing its national Legends & Lore program to North Carolina. Legends & Lore is designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as an important part of the historical past. Selected applicants will receive, at no charge, roadside markers to recognize the folklore and folk heritage of their communities. (Examples include a folktale, a local folk hero, traditional style of music or craft, or other tradition that makes a community or place special.) Nonprofit organizations, municipalities and not-for-profit educational institutions are eligible to apply. North Carolina Folklife Institute will be responsible for reviewing applications, as well as confirming the legitimacy and accuracy of folklore and legends that applicants in North Carolina intend to commemorate on a marker. To find out more, click here. For any questions, contact N.C. Folklife Institute's Sarah Bryan or Visit NC's Andre Nabors. |
Vote for N.C. small town fun
North Carolina has several among the nominations for many 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards regarding the best small towns. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com's website; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends May 6 at noon. |
'Why Asheville is the New Must-Visit Music City'
Rolling Stone magazine last month offered " Why Asheville is the New Must-Visit Music City." Opening with how a notable musician, in town for a previous music event but then unable to fly out, gave an impromptu concert at the Orange Peel. After his set "for an intently listening, tightly packed crowd of music lovers, [he] learned what so many other music fans have been discovering: Asheville is becoming one of the country's most vital music hubs." The article explained, "Rock, world, hip-hop and electronic are readily discoverable, but it's Americana and bluegrass that reign as the predominant sound. Many artists in those genres have made Asheville their homebase, furthering the city's growing reputation as an Americana hotbed. |
'Wilmington is ready for tourists just months after Hurricane Florence'
USA Today's Travel section this week noted "Wilmington is ready for tourists just months after Hurricane Florence." The article explained, "Wilmington and its string of beaches were evacuated and largely cut off Sept. 11-18 by slow-moving Florence's tidal surges and heavy rains followed by flooding of the Cape Fear River, which Wilmington faces. But the eighth-largest metro in North Carolina recovered fast enough to stage its usual holiday events. Beaches show little sign of hurricane erosion or related damage. Cranes and scaffolding downtown are in place for new construction, not repairs.... That's great news in an area where tourism is an economic driver." In addition to a 28-picture photo gallery, the article also provided an update on hurricane recovery at Wrightsville Beach. |
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Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend, TerraVita Food & Drink in the spotlight
The Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend and TerraVita Food & Drink Festival in Chapel Hill were spotlighted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Taste the Southeast at these 7 food festivals." Of the Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend, the article noted, "Wine comes first for Charlotte's festival, with four days to swirl, sip and sample world-class wines, learn everything about the world's wine regions and meet the country's finest winemakers and sommeliers. But nothing goes with wine quite as well as food, and there is plenty of that from area restaurants." Of TerraVita, the article said, "Chapel Hill's intimate TerraVita Food & Drink Festival is committed to sustainable food and drink with educational events, including the popular Sustainable Classroom sessions. Add to the mix an East Meets West dinner celebrating chefs from the North Carolina mountains to the coast, elegant tribute dinners celebrating the legacies of legendary chefs... and The Fall Fête on the Green featuring chefs, brewers, distillers, farmers, cheese makers and more spreading the sustainable gospel." |
Lambeth new executive director for Richmond County TDA
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Keeping the green grass green
Spring has finally arrived and summer is just around the corner. Facility managers and engineers will soon turn on (or already have) landscape sprinklers to help property landscapes look their best. Outdoor watering is one of a business' largest single uses of water and if improperly maintained can lead to a significant drain on operating budgets. Having a policy to routinely inspect the functioning and settings of sprinkler heads, nozzles, lines and valves is an easy low-to-no-cost method of being more water efficient without sacrificing turf quality. For example, although sprinkler heads may initially be set correctly, they very easily become misadjusted or broken and so no longer apply water uniformly or only to desired areas, wasting large amounts of water. It is also important to time watering to occur early in the morning or later in the evening when evaporation loss is lowest, but not too early or late that staff cannot regularly inspect the system. If upgrading or installing a new sprinkler system, consider a more efficient system, such as a drip or sensor sprinkler. For more information on saving water, visit Save Water NC, or contact NC GreenTravel Initiative manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of April 11 on North Carolina Weekend, the program repeats the episode that originally aired on Feb. 21. Segments feature the Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center in Franklin; the "Gallery Goes POP: Warhol" exhibit at the David McCune International Art Gallery at Methodist University in Fayetteville; the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte; and the "House Special" segment on Riverview Cafe in Sneads Ferry. (Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has recent editions of North Carolina Weekend available online. | Hotel/motel revenues in North Carolina increased 7 percent in 2018 from 2017. Revenues have grown 42 percent in the last five years and are nearing the $4 billion mark. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Lodging Reports, or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
April 18 - Visit NC's TRAC, Burlington May 2 - NC Coast Host Annual Meeting, Topsail Beach May 7 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary May 12-17 - STS Marketing College, Dahlonega, Ga.June 6 - Visit NC TRAC, Goldsboro |
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