Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, August 3, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

* Learn how to take advantage of Visit NC's 'Firsts That Last 2.0' campaign at next week's webinar

* US Travel names Visit NC’s Drive-Thru Vacations a Mercury Award Finalist; ESTO attendees can vote

* Visit NC PR team-organized trip generates U.K. coverage from the Piedmont to the coast

Learn how to take advantage of Visit NC's 'Firsts That Last 2.0' campaign at next week's webinar

Visit NC's 'Firsts That Lasts 2.0 campaign is fully underway with 11 of the 12 short films about a true N.C. vacation now available to watch. Next week's Visit NC monthly webinar will take a deep dive into how partners can leverage the campaign to elevate their destination. Visit NC and its marketing agency, Luquire, will share an overview of the campaign, provide a partner toolkit with easy-to-use resources and answer questions about employing the campaign materials in local markets. The webinar will be at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11; click here to register.

US Travel names Visit NC’s Drive-Thru Vacations a Mercury Award Finalist; ESTO attendees can vote

Visit NC’s “Drive-Thru Vacations” campaign has been recognized by the US Travel Association and the National Council of State Travel Directors as a finalist for a prestigious Mercury Award in the Special Projects Category. Previously awarded a National Addy by the American Advertising Federation, “Drive-Thru Vacations” served as a mini, three-month bridge in early 2021 as Visit NC transitioned its messaging from the “Count On Me NC” public safety initiative to broader travel inspiration as COVID restrictions and protocols were further relaxed.

“Drive-Thru Vacations” was crafted to encourage visits to some of North Carolina’s top attractions when many were still wary about when it was safe and responsible to reengage in travel. Primarily targeting cooped up NC residents and travelers in contiguous states looking to escape and refresh their binge-watching eyes, the campaign met people where they were by encouraging travel in a fun yet safe way.

The 2022 Mercury Awards will be presented during US Travel’s annual ESTO Conference being held in Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 6-9. Partners registered to attend ESTO are encouraged to vote for “Drive-Thru Vacations” for the “People’s Choice” Mercury Award. Only conference participants are eligible to vote.

The “Drive-Thru Vacations” landing page remains live on VisitNC.com and a recap video of the campaign is also available for viewing.  

Visit NC PR team-organized trip generates U.K. coverage from the Piedmont to the coast

A media trip arranged by Visit NC’s PR team with partner support led to coverage by the U.K.’s The Week magazine with “A road trip around North Carolina: where do the crawdads sing?” The writer framed the online piece as a mythical quest to reach Barkley Cove, the fictional North Carolina setting for the Delia Owens novel-turned-hit film “Where the Crawdads Sing.” After exploring Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood and Henry River Mill Village in Hildebran (a “Hunger Games” location), the writer headed for the coast with a stop at the Skylight Inn. In New Bern, Wilmington and Southport, he drew on the tales of Nicholas Sparks, history and local movie action. “Did we find where the crawdads sing?” he asks at the journey’s end, then concludes that “we undoubtedly found the heart of the book in North Carolina’s almost endless natural beauty.” The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Visit New Bern, Wilmington and Beaches CVB and NC’s Brunswick Islands assisted with hospitality. The estimated reach for the coverage was 957,000.

Visit NC PR-supported trip nets Transylvania coverage

Greystone Inn at Lake Toxaway was featured by Good Housekeeping as a result of a familiarization trip organized by the Visit NC PR team with hospitality arranged by the Transylvania County TDA. The online article  “25 Best Spa Weekend Getaways in Every Region of the U.S.” highlighted the Greystone for its holistic wellness approach. “Whether it's before or after you kayak your way across the lake (or simply enjoy a free sunset cruise!) and take in views of adjacent National Forests, the Spa offers a full suite of body treatments and boutique skincare treatments to please anyone staying in its 31 rooms and suites,” the article noted. Goodhousekeeping.com attracts 27 million unique monthly visitors. 

N.C.-filmed ‘To Her, with Love’ set to premiere Sept. 11

The N.C.-filmed “To Her, with Love” is set to premiere Sept. 11 on Hallmark's Movies & Mysteries channel. The TV production, which filmed primarily in Rowan County, was approved for a rebate via the N.C. Film & Entertainment Grant. The production is anticipated to have a direct in-state spend of more than $3.5 million.

NCRLA to host Workforce Development Roundtable Discussions

The N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association is hosting regional Workforce Development Roundtable Discussions across the state, designed to help rebuild the N.C hospitality workforce and retain workers. These free sessions are for owners, operators, human resource managers, training managers, and others responsible for hiring, training and retaining workers in hospitality related businesses across the state. The discussions are open to NCRLA members as well as non-members. These sessions will be in Asheville (Aug. 4), Greensboro (Aug. 9), Durham (Aug.10), Raleigh (Aug. 16), Wilmington (Aug. 24), Greenville (Aug. 25), and the Outer Banks (Sept. 6 in Kitty Hawk); a virtual session is scheduled for Aug. 29. To find out more, click here; to pre-register, click on the specific town of interest.

Cox new executive director for Duplin County TDA

Robert Cox has been named executive director for the Duplin County TDA. He may be contacted at (910) 296-2181 or via robert.cox@duplincountync.com.  

McPherson named interim president for Columbus Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Joan McPherson has been named interim president for the Columbus [County] Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, as Jennifer Holcomb is leaving for another position. McPherson may be contacted at (910) 642-3171 or via

jm@thecolumbuschamber.com.

‘North Carolina Weekend’

For the week of Aug. 4, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “a Musical Weekend.” Featured segments include the V&E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection in Durham; Mayberry's Music Center in Mount Airy; N.C. Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis; and Ricardo Diquez and The Tropic Orchestra in Raleigh. (Check local listings for schedule; segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, PBS North Carolina has recent editions of "North Carolina Weekend" available online. 

Upcoming industry meetings & events

Aug. 6-9 – ESTO, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Aug. 8-10 – Connect Sports, Detroit, MI

Aug. 11 - Visit NC webinar

Aug. 26-30 - SYTA Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.

Sept. 6-9 - STS Connections / TTRA Southeast States, Concord

Sept. 8 – Visit NC webinar

Sept. 15 - NCAF&E Fall Seminar, High Point

Sept. 21-22 – Blue Ridge Parkway Assn. Fall Meeting, Bristol, Tenn.

Oct. 1-8 – Cycle NC Mountains to Coast Ride

Oct. 17-19 – N.C. Recreation & Parks Assn.Conference, Greenville

Oct. 24-27 – TEAMS Conference, Oklahoma City, Okla.