Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners
April 11, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
* TRAC in Lake Junaluska today, Mars Hill tomorrow
* Gov. Cooper proclaims April as N.C. Beer Month
* New VisitNC.com debuts in tandem with
Firsts That Last campaign

A previous TRAC in Dunn
TRAC in Mars Hill tomorrow
 
Tomorrow (Thursday),tourism-related businesses in Mars Hill and the region 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 in the Mars Hill University Ferguson Health Sciences Center at 211 Cascade St. in Mars Hill. The TRAC session will be integrated in the Madison County Tourism Partnership's Tourism Summit (pre-registration is requested); both TRAC and the Summit are open to non-Madison County tourism partners. For those unable to attend the Tourism Summit, TRAC will be held 10:30 am - 2:30 pm.
 
There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there are no PowerPoint presentations. 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.

Gov. Cooper proclaims April as N.C. Beer Month
 
Last Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed April as N.C. Beer Month. Cooper touted the economic impact breweries have had on the state - more than $2 billion annually, according to the Brewers Association. More than 10,000 jobs can be linked to craft breweries here, Cooper said. "North Carolina's growing craft beer industry is a growing economic engine for our state," Cooper said. "Breweries help cities big and small by creating jobs and bringing visitors and locals together." View a video of the announcement here.
 
Co-sponsored by Visit North Carolina and the NC Craft Brewers Guild, NC Beer Month is designed to draw the attention of beer travelers with special events throughout April and to solidify North Carolina's stature as a top beer destination year-round.

New VisitNC.com debuts in tandem with Firsts That Lastcampaign
 
VisitNC.com is the hub for Visit North Carolina's efforts to promote the state and serves as the trusted insider inspiring and informing avid travelers from around the globe about all that makes North Carolina a preferred destination. A totally new, refreshed VisitNC.com is now online following many months of research, content creation and development. Insights gained from site users, database partners and evaluation of best practices set the strategic foundation. Content was created around and for the traveler mindsets that are the focus of Visit NC's marketing efforts, and with two-thirds of site visitors now using smartphones to access VisitNC.com, the new VisitNC.com was built with a mobile first perspective. Inspiring content showcasing the richer experiences found in North Carolina is front and center including Visit NC's new Firsts That Last campaign. For more information on promoting your destination or property on VisitNC.com, including new native advertising opportunities, please contact Brooks Luquire or Michelle Reino at LGA.

Fall print co-ops still available
 
Fall deadlines are quickly approaching but there is still time to sign up for two of the upcoming Visit NC print co-ops. Please find an outline of the two opportunities available. Space is limited, so please contact Michelle Reino as soon as possible to reserve your spot.
 
Garden & Gun(August / September 2018)
  • 1/6-page directory ad investment: $2,750
  • Deadline for commitment: April 20  
  • Deadline for materials: April 25
 
Local Market Combo: Extended Markets(September 2018)
Includes a quarter page ad in the September 2018 issues of Modern Luxury - Dallas, Modern Luxury - Miami, Manhattan Magazine, Modern Luxury - Chicago and Modern Luxury - Washington, D.C.
  • 1/4- page ad investment: $4,200
  • Deadline for commitmentJune 15 
  • Deadline for materials: July 2

World's largest chest of drawers among 'Best roadside attractions' in every state
 
World's Largest Chest of Drawers in High Point is among MSN.com's "The Best Roadside Attraction to Check Out in Every State (and D.C.)." Visit NC's PR team worked with the writer regarding photography for the online slideshow. Of the selection for North Carolina, the online article explained, "High Point, North Carolina, advertises itself as the home-furnishings capital of the world, and to mark that distinction, the town boasts a 36-foot-high chest of drawers. The 19th-century style bureau is marked by two dangling socks, homage to the city's hosiery industry. (There's a rival chest of drawers that's even taller, but this one's freestanding, the other is attached to a furniture store.) Visit them both if you really need to get something off your chest."

Winners of Filmed in NC grants announced
 
The winners of its "Filmed in NC" filmmaker grants have been announced. This program is an initiative of the N.C. Film Office and the Cucalorus Film Foundation to support indie filmmakers in North Carolina. The ten projects awarded range from narrative features to short docs and were chosen from 70 submissions. In an effort to embrace the diversity of the film industry, the "Filmed in NC" grants are supporting eight female directors, four projects from African American filmmakers, and one project from a Hispanic filmmaker. Filmmakers will present a portion of their ongoing work at the 24th annual Cucalorus Festival, in Wilmington Nov. 7-11.

A display at the I-95 North N.C. Welcome Center
N.C. Welcome Centers offer "Cheers!" for NC Beer Month
 
The NC Welcome Centers are spotlighting April as NC Beer Month with displays highlighting the craft brewing industry in the state. Displays include a range of items from brochures and publications to a 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 Visitor Services Program Manager Wally Wazan at (919) 814 4649.

ACC football championship staying in Charlotte through 2030
 
The Atlantic Coast Conference is making Charlotte the long-term home for its football championship game, keeping it in the Queen City through 2030. Solid attendance figures were also a major consideration in the decision for the 10-year contract extension that allows the Charlotte Sports Foundation to continue hosting the game. The conference championship has been played at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, seven of the past eight seasons - and four of those were sellouts. Unlike the basketball tournament championship which rotates between cities from year to year, ACC Commissioner John Swofford likes the idea of the football championship staying in one location. "The beauty of Charlotte and keeping the game here is that it gives us an opportunity to build that entire weekend," Swofford said. "When I go around the league and talk to players and coaches, it's now 'Hey, we want to get to Charlotte' because of the springboard that gives them to get to the college football playoff. ... So that becomes pretty special."

Cyclists enjoy Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Charlotte
Study shows economic impact of N.C. greenways­ for communities
 
A recent study by the N.C. Dept. of Transportation shows that the economic impact of outdoor paths can be huge. The study's objective was to provide a comprehensive approach to evaluate the economic returns being generated by existing trails of regional significance in the state. The study focused on four pathways in different parts of the state: the Brevard Greenway in Brevard, the American Tobacco Trail in Durham, the Duck Trail in Duck and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Charlotte.
 
Looking at usage of the trails over several years, the study found numerous economic benefits for communitiesstemming from the greenways and their usage. [Economic impact wasn't differentiated between residents and visitors]. Using data from 2015, 2016 and 2017, the study found an impact of $19.4 million in total estimated revenue for local businesses along the four greenways that were studied. To find out more, including the full research report, summary brochure and infographic, click here.

(photo courtesy of Moretz family)
Appalachian Ski Mtn's Grady Moretz dies
 
D. Grady Moretz, one of the founders, owners and operators of Appalachian Ski Mtn. in Blowing Rock and a longtime civic leader, died Sunday at the age of 88. According to ASM's history, Moretz and four other partners purchased the Blowing Rock-based resort -then known as Blowing Rock Ski Lodge - in December 1968. ASM has remained in the Moretz family ever since. Moretz was an organizing member and president of both the N.C. Ski Areas Association and N.C. High Country Host, and was instrumental in creating the 1981 N.C. Skier Safety Act legislation. Funeral services for Moretz. will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Thursday (tomorrow) at Boone United Methodist Church. Military graveside services will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. A reception will follow the graveside services at Grace Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday (today) 6 - 8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home in Boone. The family suggests memorials to Grace Lutheran Church Lutheran Student Center, 115 E. King St., Boone, N.C. 28607, or Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

'Durham: Where to drink, eat, sleep, and chill with lemurs'
 
The website for GQ magazine this week featured Durham in "Durham: Where to Drink, Eat, Sleep, and Chill with Lemurs." Of Durham, the article noted, "It's become a destination in its own right, thanks to a booming food and drink scene, a whole host of outdoorsy activities, and even a place where you can hang out with some lemurs. And with its scruffy, artistic sensibility, it's more like a scrappy little southern Portland. But what really makes the town special is what James Beard Award-winning chef Andrea Reusing describes as the "extreme hospitality."

Crystal Coast Brewing Company N.C. designation for '50 states: 50 beers for travelers'
 
As part of its "50 States" series, USA Today selected the Crystal Coast Brewing Company as the North Carolina designation for its "50 states: 50 beers for travelers." Of the selection, the photo gallery noted, "Crystal Coast Brewing Company uses North Carolina-grown rye for its lagers and pilsners. Order a state-shaped tasting flight at Crystal Coast's taprooms in Atlantic Beach and Morehead City."

'Southern hospitality, North Carolina style'
 
SmartMeetings.com recently offered "Southern Hospitality, North Carolina Style" in an online article. The article explained, "When planning the annual National Business Media show, a trade show for roughly 3,000 attendees, [A vice president of one group] regularly returns to the same place. 'We've been going to Charlotte since 1991,' [they said] 'Without fail, no matter when we're there, the weather is great. There's a lot to do, and it's a really easy, walkable city, with good lift from the airport. The people are really friendly, and Charlotte is budget-friendly. It's really at the top when it comes to value.' Beyond Charlotte, North Carolina offers a range of options for groups of all sizes, particularly in its cities, where a Southern experience is being re-defined in the form of craft breweries, farm-to-table restaurants and eclectic arts districts." The article offered overviews of Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham, and Greensboro, providing "tips for surprising your group, downtime options, unique venues and more."

Hotels save cash and the environment by reducing food waste

According to estimates, about one-third of all food produced worldwide is lost or wasted. A recent study reports that hotels can accomplish significant financial and environmental gains through food waste reduction and proper management. Some of the findings included that the average benefit-cost ratio was nearly 7:1 over a three-year time frame. Within two of implementing a food waste/reduction program, 95 percent of hotels surveyed recouped their investment. By reducing food waste, the average hotel saved more than four cents on every dollar of cost of goods sold. Key strategies for achieving food waste reduction included measuring food waste, engaging staff, repurposing excess food and reducing food overproduction. For more information regarding options for reducing and recovering food waste, contact NC GreenTravel Initiative manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140.


For the week of April 12 on North Carolina Weekend, enjoy a variety of films and events during RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem. Learn about Margaret the Mummy at the Iredell Museums in Statesville. "Collecting Carolina" explores the Liberty Antiques Festival in Liberty. Relax at the Red Rocker Inn in Black Mountain. And tempt your taste buds at Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh. (Please note listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North Carolina Weekendavailable online.
Room supply was up in each of the eight regions in 2017, particularly in the Southwest Region (+4.8 percent). The Western and North Central regions had supply growth of nearly 3 percent. The growth in room supply during the last several years has resulted in a clear softening in occupancy rates statewide. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Lodging Reports, or contact Tourism Research Director Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748.

Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events

April 12 - Visit NC's TRAC, Mars Hill
April 23-25 - STS' Connections, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
April 23-26 - NASC Sports Event Symposium, Minneapolis, Minn.
May 2-3 - BRPA Annual Meeting, Bedford, Va.
May 3 - HSMAI "Meet the Meeting Planner," Charlotte & Durham
May 6-12 - National Travel & Tourism Week (Travel Rally Day May 8), nationwide
May 8 -Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, TBD
May 16-17 - MPI-CC Meeting, Wilmington
May 17 - NC Coast Host Quarterly Meeting, Emerald Isle
May 19-23 - U.S. Travel Assn.'s IPW, Denver, Colo.
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