Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - February 8, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE: * Popular Legislative Update returns to the
Visit NC Tourism Conference
* Visit NC’s February webinar this morning offers ‘Visitor Center Tips’
* N.C. delegation at IMM
* Visit NC trade & media mission to Canada
Popular Legislative Update returns to the Visit NC Tourism Conference
The Legislative Update returns to the Visit NC Tourism Conference this year. The popular and always informative session provides up-to-date information on North Carolina’s political and economic landscape and how it affects the state’s tourism industry. In the wake of the upcoming elections, learn and ask questions during this interactive session about new laws and proposed legislation that affect your businesses and community.
Registration is openfor the Visit NC Tourism Conference, at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, March 17-19. The annual conference brings together tourism industry leaders for educational sessions and insightful programming. It provides opportunities to catch up on the latest trends and issues facing the travel industry and gain insights from industry experts.
Hotel room blocks were secured at three properties connected to/adjacent from the convention center. The Hilton and Hampton Inn are now sold out, but hotel rooms remain available at the Holiday Inn. Click here for hotel block information.
Visit NC’s February webinar this morning offers ‘Visitor Center Tips’
Visit NC’s February webinar this morning offers “A Discussion on Visitor Center Tips.” Visit NC has invited several partners for a discussion on best practices related to the operations of Visitor Centers. This will include sharing things that have worked and things that haven't been as successful. The webinar will be 10 a.m. today. Click here to register.
N.C. delegation at IMM
Visit NC's Veda Gilbert was part of the North Carolina delegation at TravMedia's International Media Marketplace in New York City last week. Other partners in the delegation were Charlotte Regional Visitor Authority's Alana Stillitano, Crystal Coast TDA's Karen Gould, Discover Durham’s Victoria Wresilo, Explore Asheville's Luisa Yen, Greater Raleigh CVB's Jessica Holt, Johnston County VB's Ashby Brame, Ocracoke TDA's Helena Stevens, and Outer Banks VB's Aaron Tuell. This year’s event had expected more than 400 PR reps and nearly 500 media representatives. TravMedia's International Media Marketplace (IMM) is a global networking event connecting the travel industry with top journalists, editors, influencers and broadcasters. To learn more about Visit NC's Public
Relations program, contact media@visitnc.com.
Visit NC trade & media mission to Canada Visit NC’s Heidi Walters and Veda Gilbert, along with Charlotte Regional Visitor Authority’s Chacara Harvin, joined Travel South USA in a Canada Media Mission in Toronto and Montreal last week. The group spent four days in those markets and met with travel trade and media during several events, which included two evening events covering the seven states and several cities represented. Canadian visitation to North Carolina is rebounding to near pre-pandemic levels.
North Carolina promoted at Long Island retirement expo
Visit NC's André Nabors, along with partners from Laurinburg and New Bern, promoted North Carolina as a retirement destination at the Ideal-Living Resort & Retirement Expo in Long Island, N.Y. this past weekend. The Expo drew more than 900 potential retirees from the region who were interested in exploring opportunities and conversing with exhibitors from across the Southeast. Attendees talked with experts from towns and community developers to gain insights and get answers to help plan, design and enjoy their retirement. North Carolina has consistently been one of the most requested states by the attendees.
Visit NC attended the Expo to continue its efforts to promote the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program, which consists of Carteret County, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Jamestown/High Point, Johnston County, Laurinburg, Lenoir, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, New Bern, Reidsville, Roanoke Rapids, Salisbury, Tarboro, Vance, Washington, and Winterville. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program or Visit NC's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771.
Vote for Pea Island NWR, N.C. Zoo among ‘Best of the spring season’
North Carolina has two sites that are nominated among different categories as part of USA Today’s 10Best’s “Best of the spring season.” Daily online voting is open until noon on March 4.
Best National Wildlife Refuge – Pea Island NWR, Rodanthe
Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards includes N.C. sites
Forbes Travel Guide has announced its 2024 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards – and North Carolina has several hotels, restaurants and spas among those recognized.
The Umstead Hotel in Cary is among 5-Star Hotels. Herons at The Umstead Hotel is recognized among 5-Star Restaurants. In addition, The Umstead Spa is among 5-Star Spas.
Among 4-Star Hotels are Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, The Ivey’s Hotel in Charlotte, Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville and Old Edwards Inn in Highlands. The 4-Star Restaurants include the Dining Room at Inn on Biltmore Estate and Fearrington House Restaurant.
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotels include The Ballantyne in Charlotte, The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte and Washington Duke Inn in Durham. Recommended Restaurants include Fairview Dining Room at Washington Duke Inn, Gallery at The Ballantyne, and Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden at Old Edwards Inn.
RDU getting new airline, new flight from Panama
A new airline is coming to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, bringing a new flight from Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama. The four-times weekly flight connecting RDU and PTY is slated to start June 21.
For the week of Feb. 8, "North Carolina Weekend” repeats the episode “Coastal Vibes,” that originally aired Nov. 9. Featured segments include the Wilmington Riverfront, Baker’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery in New Bern, Wilmington’s becoming a World War II Heritage City, Historic Corolla Park in Corolla, and Indochine in Wilmington. I8hg
(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
150 Fayetteville St., Ste 1200, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
