 In this
issue:
• New York Media Mission pitch sheets still being
accepted
• U.K. tour operator increasing bookings to
N.C.
• RFP for 2015-16 advertising media partners
issued
...and more
|
| New York Media Mission pitch sheets still
being accepted |  | French Broad Chocolates' Jael
Rattigan (left)
share samples and offers information
about
Asheville's culinary scene with a "The
Today Show"
director during the 2013 N.Y. Media
Mission. |
While registration for the New York Media
Mission has closed, it's possible for industry
partners unable to attend the event to still have
representation. The event, a reception-trade show
hybrid, includes key editors, writers, producers,
bloggers and qualified freelance travel writers in
the New York area. Last year's event drew more than
65 journalists from outlets that included Good
Morning America, Travel + Leisure,
Condé Nast Traveler, Good
Housekeeping and The Huffington Post.
For $150, partners can have a pitch sheet included
on a USB drive distributed at the event and posted
on media.VisitNC.com. Pitch sheet registration is
available
online. For questions or more information,
contact Suzanne
Brown at (919) 447-7766.
|
| U.K. tour operator increasing bookings to
N.C. | 
Golfbreaks.com is an independent United
Kingdom tour operator specializing in golf holidays
around the world. It is currently expanding its
U.S. program and has recently seen sales soar. In
2014, Golfbreaks had a revenue for booking
travel to North Carolina of $40,000; YTD for
2015, it is already running at $45,000. In February
2015, it will be holding its Inaugural Pro-Am
tournament at Pinehurst, which has attracted 30
golfers from across Europe. Golfbreaks has a
database of more than 600,000 U.K. golfers. Visit
North Carolina will be partnering with Golfbreaks
on marketing activities to generate travel from the
U.K. to N.C. in 2015.
In 2013, international visitation to North Carolina
was more than 1.2 million, resulting in $437
million in spending. With an individual spending of
$361 per person, this market segment is vital to
the state's tourism industry. For more information,
contact Heidi
Walters at (919) 447-7762.
|
| Limited availability in May 2015
Southern Living print co-op | | Limited availability remains in the
Southern Living print co-op for May 2015.
The magazine has a readership comprised of 78
percent women with a median age of 52 and average
household income more than $66,000. Partners will
receive a circulation of 1,383,000 within the
following states: North Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland,
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and
Washington, D.C. The partner investment for a
directory-style ad is $5,400 and space commitments
are due by Jan.
12. If you are interested in reserving one
of the remaining placements, please contact
Crandall
Turner at LGA at (704) 552-6565.
|
| RFP for 2015-16 advertising media partners
issued | |
Strategic planning is underway for Visit North
Carolina's 2015-16 fiscal year advertising program,
and a Request For Information (RFI) process has
been initiated by Visit North Carolina's agency of
record, Luquire George Andrews of Charlotte. The
Visit North Carolina team makes cost-effective
advertising investments through a number
of media partners serving regional and
national footprints to help broaden awareness of
North Carolina among travelers in contiguous
states, the Eastern Seaboard and, where possible,
broader regional and national footprints. The Visit
North Carolina marketing program also benefits from
exposure closer to home through public
service-oriented campaigns in partnership with
statewide N.C. media associations. Advertising
media companies interested in receiving the RFI and
submitting information prior to
the Dec.
31 deadline should
contact Shawn
Gordon regarding print and
print/digital combinations, or Carolyn
Hulbert regarding digital only.
|
| Vacationland begins production in
Wilmington |  TBS began
production on its new vacation-themed comedy pilot
in Wilmington this week. With Vacationland
as the working title, filming is expected to be
done
entirely on location throughout Wilmington,
lasting about eight days.
|
| Under the Dome - Season 2 now out
on DVD | | While it may not be time to venture back
Under the Dome for season three of CBS' epic
Wilmington region-filmed series, fans can revisit
their favorite moments from season two, which was
released this week on Blu-ray and DVD.
|
| Hunting, fishing among top industries in
N.C. | |
Hunting and fishing in North Carolina is big
business. It is
among the top industries, ranked 12th by the
N.C. Dept. of Commerce. A recent report by the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission said, "Numbers of
resident hunters are increasing and North Carolina
is ranked 10th in the nation for the number of
non-resident hunters... Just this year
Bassmaster magazine ranked four of our lakes
among the top bass fishing spots in the nation. The
American Sportfishing Association ranks North
Carolina No. 4 in visiting non-resident anglers’
destinations, and Field & Stream
magazine ranks our whitetail deer hunting some of
the best in the country."
|
| American Airlines to upgrade planes and
hubs, including CLT | |
A year into its merger with US Airways, American
Airlines is planning $2 billion worth of
upgrades to its planes and hub airports, the
company said Monday. The
upgrades to hubs, including Charlotte Douglas
International Airport, will include renovated
Admirals Club airline lounges, new kiosks to speed
check-in and work tables with power outlets to
charge devices in waiting areas. Charlotte is
American's second-busiest hub, after Dallas/Fort
Worth. The carrier operates more than 90 percent of
daily flights at Charlotte Douglas since it merged
with US Airways a year ago Tuesday.
|
| 'Beige Book' reports on-pace growth in
tourism and business travel, strengths in Charlotte and
RTP regions |  Reports
from the 12 Federal Reserve Districts suggest that
national economic activity continued to expand in
October and November. A number of Districts also
noted that contacts remained optimistic about the
outlook for future economic activity. Consumer
spending continued to advance in most Districts,
and reports on tourism were mostly positive. In the
Beige Book's latest update, the Fifth
District-Richmond section reported, "Tourism and
business travel remained on pace with our prior
report, with particular strength in the Charlotte
and Research Triangle regions of North Carolina and
North Charleston, [S.C.]. A source on the North
Carolina Outer Banks reported that Thanksgiving
week bookings are solid, occupancy and room rates
continued to rise in the Carolinas."
|
| A Chef's Life offers a holiday
special | | A Chef's Life, the Peabody
award-winning PBS series, invites viewers home for
the holidays with A Chef’s Life Holiday
Special. Chef Vivian Howard hosts a holiday to
remember at her home in Eastern North Carolina as
she creates a Southern holiday feast steeped in her
family's Christmas and Chanukah traditions. A
Chef’s Life Holiday Special airs on PBS
(UNC-TV) Dec. 16 at 10 pm.
|
| Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping
among '10 Best Places to Camp Year-round' |  Fodor's Travel included Ash Grove Mountain
Cabins & Camping in Brevard in its "10
Best Places to Camp Year-round." Of Ash Grove,
it said, "The four quaint cabins at Ash Grove
Mountain Cabins & Camping have satellite TVs,
full kitchens, and fireplaces – perfect for staying
in on a brisk winter's eve. Look for Brevard's
white squirrels scampering about the many creeks
and gorges as they camouflage themselves with the
snow. Come summer, the popular natural Sliding
Rock, a 60-foot smooth rock waterfall slide, is the
most thrilling way to enter the river for a swim.
With sites for both tents and smaller RVs, Ash
Grove Mountain is a small gem in the forest."
|
| Australian magazine spotlights mountain
biking in Brevard during international bike launch
event | | Trek Bicycle Corporation invited 30
journalists from around the world to come to North
Carolina for the unveiling of a new mountain trail
bike. Enduro, an Australian mountain biking
publication, covered the four-day event and
produced an eight-page story in its Spring issue on
the bike's unveiling but also
mountain biking in the Brevard region,
including the Dupont State Recreational Forest. The
article reports, "Brevard is a small country town
located just outside Asheville, where both Cane
Creek and Industry Nine call home. Sandwiched
between the DuPont State Forest and the expansive
Pisgah Forest, Brevard is a town that is currently
undergoing a tourism renaissance off the back of
its growing mountain bike trail network and its
close proximity to the Appalachian Hiking Trail.
There's currently some 200 miles worth of
singletrack within the county, but development is
rapidly progressing and is turning Brevard into a
true mountain biking Mecca."
|
| N.C. has 5 among Southern mountain resorts
and inns |  North
Carolina has five sites among 10Best's "Southern
mountains resorts and inns." 10Best says,
"Whether you're a stressed-out city dweller in need
of a calming getaway or a native Southerner looking
to rediscover your home region's highest peaks,
consider a stay at one of these ideal destinations
for mountain lodging." The Inn on Biltmore and the
Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, Lakeview at
Fontana in Bryson City, Old Edwards Inn and Spa in
Highlands, and The Swag in Waynesville were among
the list.
Of the Inn on Biltmore, 10Best said, "Cultured
travelers relish the opportunity to experience an
overnight stay at one of the South's most famous
addresses. The only hotel on the Biltmore Estate's
8,000 acres, the inn aims to offer the same
gracious hospitality enjoyed by George and Edith
Vanderbilt's guests at their famous estate. The
guest rooms and suites are filled with fine
furnishings and offer breathtaking views of
downtown Asheville as well as the surrounding woods
and Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests choose from
numerous dining options including an opulent
afternoon tea service."
For the Omni Grove Park Inn: "An ideal destination
for Asheville visitors looking to make the most of
the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, this historic
property celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.
In addition to luxurious accommodations and
award-winning dining, guests enjoy outdoor
activities such as mountain biking, zip-lining
(from ridge to ridge), river-rafting, and hiking.
The 43,000 square-foot spa offers warm mineral
pools and "mountain view" massages in an outdoor
pagoda."
Of Lakeview at Fontana: "This independent property
exudes a laid-back charm reflective of the
surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. Located near
Fontana Lake, guests take advantage of easy access
to hiking trails – the on-property nature trail
winds through 50 wooded acres – plus whitewater
rafting, lake kayaking, and zip-lining
opportunities. Each day starts with organic French
press coffee and pastries, and afternoon brings a
complimentary wine hour including local farmstead
cheese. Throw in a boutique spa, daily yoga, and a
forest-enveloped, spring-filled pool, and it's easy
to understand why so many make the drive from
Atlanta, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Charlotte, all
of which are roughly three hours away."
For the Old Edwards Inn and Spa: "From its perch
atop the scenic southwest plateau of North
Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains – an area dotted
with scenic lakes and waterfalls – this inn, spa,
and golf club provides its guests with a plethora
of outdoor activity options. Smartly decorated
guestrooms, suites and cottages feature antiques,
rainfall showers, and heated-tile floors; some
include private patios or terraces. Those needing
to relax spend time at the spa, which incorporates
herbs and botanicals from the inn's garden into its
treatments. The property benefits from its
proximity to Highlands' pedestrian-friendly
downtown, home to acclaimed restaurants and
numerous performing arts venues."
And of The Swag: "This secluded Smoky Mountain
getaway near Asheville delivers incredible mountain
views and award-winning service at an elevation of
5,000 feet. Each of the 14 rooms is individually
decorated with original artwork, rustic antiques,
and handmade quilts and rugs; some rooms feature
wood-burning fireplaces, private balconies, and
outdoor soaking tubs. Guests enjoy use of
personalized hiking sticks and an outdoor hot tub
with amazing views. Activities include croquet,
horseshoes, cornhole, badminton, indoor
racquetball, and wallyball."
|
| STS Top 20 Events for
July-August-September deadline Jan. 9 | | The deadline for nominating events to the
Southeast Tourism Society (STS) for its
Top 20 Events for July-August-September is
Jan. 9.
Nominated events must have an attendance of at
least 1,000 and be in the third year of existence.
Top 20 Events strongly encourages entrants to
support their nomination by providing supporting
material such as photos, posters, brochures, press
releases, news clippings and/or volunteer programs.
There is a $20.00 entry fee required per event with
two copies of the nomination form, in addition to
supporting materials.
|
| Schmidt named executive director for
Greenville-Pitt County CVB |  Andrew
Schmidt has officially been named the executive
director for the Greenville-Pitt County CVB. He may
be contacted at (252) 329-4200 or via aschmidt@greenvillenc.gov.
|
| Economic development regions in East plan
merger | |
The NCEast Alliance and NC’s Northeast Alliance
(NCNE) have signed a letter of intent to
merge operations. The non-binding letter of
intent was recently signed by the two organizations
with anticipation of a memorandum of understanding
being signed soon which would be effective on Jan.
1, 2015. While details of the merger will be more
clearly defined in the MOU, NCNE Alliance will use
its remaining funds to procure affiliation with the
NCEast Alliance. Additionally, the NCEast staff
will expand to serve its new, larger geography and
have a branch office in the northeast region. The
NCEast Alliance will also relocate its headquarters
from Kinston to Greenville.
|
 | | NC GreenTravel: Energy efficient bathroom
fixtures | |
Bathroom facilities have been identified as key
areas to implement water conservation initiatives
and technologies; however they're also places to
implement overall energy conservation practices as
well. There are a variety of low-energy products on
the market that can significantly reduce energy
consumption in bathrooms. When researching the
feasibility of products, it is important to
consider the product's entire lifecycle. One
example of energy-saving technologies that can be
implemented in a facility's restroom(s),
translating into increased cost savings and
decreased environmental impact, is the installation
of temperature and sensor-controlled fixtures on
taps and digital shower systems, which include
timer settings. This helps reduce costs associated
with heating water and helps regulate water
consumption to an "as needed" basis. Ensure that
hot water supply pipes are properly insulated, as
this will prevent loss of heat in the movement of
water from the generated source to the tap. Install
hand dryers and energy-efficient hair dryers that
dry in minimal time. Finally, consider installing
low-energy extractor fans, replace old lighting
fixtures with LED lighting, and paint interior
finishes with light-reflecting paint to maximize
the benefits of lower wattage light bulbs. For more
information on ways to conserve energy in restroom
facilities, click
here. For information on sustainable tourism,
contact NC
GreenTravel program manager Tom Rhodes at
(919) 707-8140, or Daniel
Johnson with ECU’s
Center for Sustainability at (252) 737-4296.
|
For the week of Dec. 11
on North
Carolina Weekend, ring in the
holiday season with the Raleigh
Ringers. Renew your appreciation of the
military at the Price of Freedom Museum
in China Grove. Explore the unusual
Körner's Folly in Kernersville. Find
unique items at Piedmont Floral
Galleries and Rufty's Chrismon Shop in
Salisbury. And enjoy the Winter Lights
at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville.
(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
Weekend available
online.
|
In 2013, 79 percent of domestic
visitors came to the Mountain Region
for pleasure purposes, while 12 percent
of visitors came to conduct business
(includes meeting/convention). The
remaining 9 percent reported "other"
purpose of visit. For more 2013 visitor
profile information, click
here. For more information, contact
Director of Tourism Research Marlise
Taylor at (919) 447-7748.
|
|
| Upcoming Industry Meetings &
Events | Dec. 11 – AENC Annual
Trade Show, Raleigh
Jan. 9 – N.C. Sports Assn. Quarterly
Meeting, Greensboro
Jan. 10-13 – ABA Marketplace, St.
Louis, Mo.
Jan. 18-22 – NBA Travel Exchange, New
Orleans, La.
Jan. 25-26 – NCAF&E Showfest,
Charlotte
Jan. 27 – Visit North Carolina’s New
York Media Mission, New York City, N.Y.
Jan. 29-30 – N.C. Coast Host Meeting,
Sunset Beach |
| Visit North Carolina office holiday
schedule | | The offices for Visit North Carolina will
have a different schedule for the Christmas/New Year’s
holidays. The Visit North Carolina offices will be open
Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, then closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1. While
it is scheduled to be open Jan. 2, staffing is expected
to be minimal. |
15000 Weston Parkway
Cary, NC 27513 |
|
