Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - December 7, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s webinar next week features NCDNCR and America’s 250th plans
* N.C.-filmed ‘I.S.S.’ gets Jan. 19 theater release
Visit NC’s webinar next week features NCDNCR and America’s 250th plans
For Visit NC’s December webinar, join partners from the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources to get an update on their marketing efforts, as well as learn an outline of the items the Department is planning in conjunction with America's 250th Celebration. The webinar will be 10 a.m. next Thursday (Dec. 14). Click here to register.
The N.C.-filmed feature “I.S.S.” is slated for limited release in movie theaters on Jan. 19. The movie stars Academy Award-winner – and N.C. native – Ariana DeBose and Chris Messina. Per the official logline, “’I.S.S.’ follows two crews of scientists – one group American, the other Russian, aboard the International Space Station conducting research towards the betterment of humanity. Soon, however, international tensions on Earth escalate in unpredictable ways and the teams are commanded to take control of the station at any cost.” The production filmed entirely on stages at Cinespace Wilmington, formerly EUE Screen Gems Studios. The project had an in-state spend of nearly $14 million and was approved for a rebate via the N.C. Film & Entertainment Grant. View the trailer here.
Business Travel News recently reported that findings from the Cvent 2023 North American Planner Sourcing Report noted that most meeting professionals would increase budgets to get preferred venues despite cost concerns. However, nearly half of respondents said that cost-saving measures would play a large role in setting priorities this year and next year.
While planners say they will pay more for a preferred venue, there is also a limit to what they would concede. Nearly two-thirds of respondents say they would switch venues for a 6 percent cost savings and 93 percent say they would switch venues for at least an 11 percent savings.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies.
Voting is now open for SportsEvents' Readers' Choice Awards for favorite events, sports planners and destination partners - and N.C.has several among the nominees. Voting ends Jan. 2. The top three winners in each category will be recognized in both the print and digital issues of the February issue of SportsEvents Magazine. Voting is open to sports events planners and destinations; there is no limit to the number of times someone can vote.
All-Star Destination Partner - Cabarrus County CVB
- N.C. Sports Association – SportsNC
- Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
- Play Greenville, NC Sports
- Visit Winston-Salem
Best Live or Virtual Sports Event Planner - Hill Carrow, World University Games
Cycle NC selects Murphy for 2024 CNC Mountain Ride
Cycle NC has selected Murphy as host for its 2024 Mountain Ride, Aug. 2-4. The 10th annual cycling festival will feature a variety of route options each day that focuses on showcasing the beautiful landscapes that western North Carolina has to offer. The Mountain Ride generally attracts more than 300 participants from more than 20 states. Visit North Carolina is a founding sponsor of Cycle NC's Mountain Ride each August and the Coastal Ride in the spring, and is one of the founding sponsors of the Mountains to Coast ride in the fall.
Heath new CEO for DistiNCtly Fayetteville
Devin Heath is the new CEO for DistiNCtly Fayetteville, effective Dec. 4. He may be contacted at (910) 483-5311 or via dheath@distinctlyfayettevillenc.com.
Jackson County TDA’s Breedlove among ‘2023 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds’
Jackson County TDA's Executive Director Nick Breedlove has been recognized as one of the 2023 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds
. The awards recognize leaders in sales, marketing, revenue optimization and distribution of hospitality, travel, and tourism organizations for their accomplishments in the preceding 18 months. Selected by a panel of senior industry executives, awardees are high achievers who stand out through their creativity and innovation, cutting-edge campaigns and programs, triumph in challenging situations and efforts that resulted in dramatic gains. Honorees will be spotlighted during the Adrian Awards Celebration in New York next February.
Blowing Rock among ‘Our 50 Favorite Small Towns to Visit for Christmas’
HGTV offered “Our 50 Favorite Small Towns to Visit for Christmas
," small towns that “deliver major holiday spirit.” Its North Carolina selection was Blowing Rock. Of the N.C. selection, the article noted, in part, “Skiing and ice skating mark the start of the Christmas season in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Each year, the Appalachian enclave becomes a Rockwellian Christmas scene with horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, live music and a festival of trees. The historic steam locomotives of the Tweetsie Railroad even get in on the action… Meanwhile, nearby Blue Ridge Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing.”
Business North Carolina’s Travel & Tourism roundtable in December issue In its December issue, Business North Carolina magazine offered “Bringing Tourists and Guests to North Carolina,"
a roundtable discussion focusing on Travel & Tourism. The magazine brought together five experts and executives to discuss the industry’s recovery since the pandemic’s height, the changes it has to make, the challenges it faces and where it’s headed. The tourism panel was comprised of Visit NC's Wit Tuttell, Richmond County TDA’s Megan Lambeth, Halifax County CVB’s Lori Medlin, NCRLA’s Lynn Minges, Mount Airy TDA’s Jessica Roberts, Greenville-Pitt County CVB’s Andrew Schmidt, and Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen Area CVB’s Phil Werz.
For the week of Dec. 7, "North Carolina Weekend” offers a “Global Tastes Tour.” Featured segments include Manolo's Bakery in Charlotte; the "M" restaurants in Durham; Alfredo's Ristorante Italiano in Clinton; Little Guatemala in Morganton; and Botiwalla in Asheville. (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.
Visit North Carolina is part of The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
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