Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
February 14, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Come early to Visit NC 365 for the Collaborative Art Experience
* TRAC coming to Roxboro/Person County region next week
* Beaufort, Blowing Rock among '17 Best Small Towns in the South for a Romantic Getaway'
Hansen creating his art
Come early to Visit NC 365 on Sunday for the Collaborative Art Experience
 
For the Visit NC 365 Conference, March 4-6 in Winston-Salem, come Sunday afternoon for the Collaborative Art Experience with Phil Hansen, Monday's keynote speaker. Artist Phil Hansen provides a hands-on, interactive art collaboration that brings the audience together to create a stunning and unexpected work of art. This fun and engaging project furthers the experience of embracing challenges through teamwork, and demonstrates the power of how our individual roles make up the world.
 
It's free to attend, but please register in advance as space is limited to the first 100 people. Register when you register online, or by emailing Dana Grimstead if you have already registered but not yet signed up for this session. Each individual will participate by creating a small piece of art - and Hansen does the hard part by combining the pieces in a beautiful image to be revealed during his keynote speech on Monday morning. This session is open to anyone who preregisters; instructions and all materials will be provided - and you don't have to be an artist, just willing to have fun. The Collaborative Art Experience is 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, prior to the Visit NC Co-op Presentation at 4:15 p.m., so come early and join us as we bring to life a N.C. icon through art and collaboration.
 
Now is a great time to register for the Visit NC 365 conference, March 4-6 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. There's no better opportunity to network with more than 500 of the state's tourism industry leaders and gain insights into North Carolina's growing travel industry. For the Embassy Suites Winston-Salem, book online or call them directly at (336)-724-2300; mention the Visit NC 365 Conference group block for the group rate of $169/night + tax.
 
Tell Visit NC you've registered by tagging #VisitNC365 and @NCarolinaTourism
Check out Visit NC 365 Conferencefor more information.
A previous TRAC in Bryson City
TRAC coming to Roxboro/Person County region next week
 
On Thursday, Feb. 22, tourism-related businesses in the Person County region - including 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), a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses, will be held 10 am - 2 pm at the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex at 213 N. Main St. in Roxboro. The session is being held in partnership with the Person County TDA.
 
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 AndrĂ© Nabors at (919) 447-7771.
Beaufort, Blowing Rock among '17 Best Small Towns in the South for a Romantic Getaway'
 
Beaufort and Blowing Rock are among SouthernLiving.com's "17 Best Small Towns in the South for a Romantic Getaway." Visit NC's PR team worked with the writer for the online article.
 
Of Beaufort, the online article noted, "See wild horses like never before with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard outing with Beaufort Paddle, before satiating your appetite with a guided culinary tour with Hungry Town Tours. Cap off your evening with a toast at a waterfront cafe before retreating to your B&B, like Victorian-style Pecan Tree Inn or the Inn on Turner, complete with a lush garden-side fire pit."
 
Of Blowing Rock, the article explained, "Even the folklore behind this Blue Ridge town is romantic. Our favorite pit stops for two peas in a High Country pod? An excursion to Blowing Rock Art and History Museum before grub at the Bistro Roca or the Restaurant at Gideon's Ridge. Beginner skiiers may also enjoy Appalachian Ski Mtn with a vertical drop of 365 feet and the longest run clocking in at an approachable half-mile (both clothing and equipment rental are on-site). Luxuriate in a spa treatment and the indoor heated pool at Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort, before watching the flames flicker in your in-room fireplace and plotting the next day's adventures."
Asheville expected to see $3.5M impact from Fed Cup
 
This past weekend, Asheville was the home to the Fed Cup. The event pitted the Fed Cup's defending-champion U.S. team against the Netherlands. Outside of the local buzz the event has generated, officials believe the economic impact of hosting the Fed Cup in Asheville is about $3.5 million, scaled up from the $2.5 million figure shared with members of the local news media late last year. What hasn't been yet quantified is the impact of what hosting the Fed Cup will have for Asheville in courting future international events of a similar level, Explore Asheville's Dianna Pierce said last week. "To bring an event of this caliber to our community, it opens another door for us when it comes to national and international competition," Pierce said.
N.C. has 3 among 'Best Hotels in the USA'

U.S. News & World Report has released its Best Hotels in the USA for 2018, which includes numerous categories. The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary ranked #90 among the Best Hotels in the USA. The Umstead is included among the Best Hotels with Airport Shuttle Service in the USA, Best Hotels with Free Parking in the USA, and Best Lake Hotels in the USA. In addition, The Umstead ranked #41 among the Best USA Resorts.
 
Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands is among the Best Golf Hotels in the USA.
 
The Fearrington House in Pittsboro is among the Best Hotels with Free Breakfast in the USA.
 
Best Boutique Hotels in the USA included The Umstead and Old Edwards.
RDU getting new flights
 
Frontier Airlines announced last Thursday it's adding flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport from Buffalo, Houston, Milwaukee, New Orleans, San Antonio and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flights will start the second week of April. In addition, Allegiant on Tuesday (yesterday) announced a new seasonal service from Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Allegiant will fly nonstop, twice weekly from VPS to RDU starting June 8.
Energizing the tourism industry with charging stations

A wonderful way to attract new visitors to a destination/property is to install electric vehicle chargers. Plug-in NC calculates average fossil fuel costs at $1,100 per vehicle annually, as compared to $400 for electric vehicles. It is easy to see why more travelers are switching to Plug-in Electric Vehicles. That means hotels, B&Bs, attractions and other tourism-oriented businesses can attract new business from PEV owners by installing Plug-in charging stations. Several properties have already begun to see an increase in business after installing electric vehicle charging stations. Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands is one of the newest properties in the state to install an electric charging station, one specifically for Teslas. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte was the first urban hotel in the Southeast to offer a Level II charging station. Other charging stations are now at Hanna House B&B in New Bern, Economy Inn in Greenville, the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, Courtyard Raleigh, Makoto's Japanese Steak House in Boone, Canyons Restaurant in Blowing Rock and many other destinations, all featured on the Plug-in Members Page. Some visitors center, such as Cherokee Welcome Center, have charging stations, too; and some cities, such as Raleigh, offer help to PEV owners with amap of charging stations. GreenLodgingNews.com, regarding PEV charging stations, in a 2014 article noted "If You Build It, [Guests] Will Come." To find out how a property can install a charging station, contact Advanced Energy at (919) 857-9000, or contact NC GreenTravel Initiative manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140.
For the week of Feb. 15 on North Carolina Weekend, celebrate Beech Mountain Resort's 50th Birthday in part 1 of a segment, and then enjoy Bob Garner's reflections of his time in Beech Mountain. Discover the wonders at Seagrove Orchids in Seagrove. Enjoy the great outdoors in Surry and Wilkes counties via the Elkin Valley Trails. And lift a glass at Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery in Thurmond. (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.
Forty-eight percent of Piedmont Region visitors lodged in a hotel/motel, and 48 percent stayed in a private home. One percent of overnight visitors to the region reported staying in a shared economy property such as AirBnB or VRBO. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Visitor Profile Studies or contact Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748.

Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events

Feb. 19-21 - Connect Travel's Marketing Leadership Summit, Orlando, Fla.
Feb 21, 22 - HSMAI-NC "Building the Sales Pipeline," Charlotte (21), Durham (22)
Feb. 22 - Visit NC's TRAC, Roxboro
March 4-6 - Visit NC 365 Conference, Winston-Salem
March 6 - NC Sports Association Quarterly Meeting, Winston-Salem
March 6-8 - Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference, Burlington, Vt.
March 15-16 - MPI-CC Meeting, Raleigh
March 18-21 - Travel South Domestic Showcase, Biloxi, Miss.
March 21-22 - US Travel Assn.'s Destination Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
March 27 - NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary (rescheduled from Feb. 7)
April 11-12 - Visit NC's TRAC, Haywood County (11), Madison County (12)
April 23-26 - NASC Sports Event Symposium, Minneapolis, Minn.
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