Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - January 25, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC Tourism Conference hotel room block
closes in two weeks
* North Carolina see strong interest promoting Retire NC
at the Bridgewater, N.J.
* N.C.-filmed ‘A Little Prayer’ premieres at Sundance
Visit NC Tourism Conference hotel room block closes in two weeks
The hotel room block for the Visit NC Tourism Conference at the Omni Grove Park Inn closes in two weeks on Feb. 8. Conference attendees who haven't already done so are encouraged to make their reservations before that deadline. Any hotel reservation at the Omni Grove Park for the conference made after that date will be subject to availability and existing rates. To make a hotel reservation for the conference room block, click
here.
Registration is open for the Visit NC Tourism Conference, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, March 6-8. Click here to register to attend the conference. The agenda, as well as other information such as sponsorship opportunities, can be found here.
North Carolina see strong interest promoting Retire NC at the Bridgewater, N.J. expo Visit NC's André Nabors, along with partners from Edenton, promoted North Carolina as a retirement destination at the Ideal-Living Resort & Retirement Expo in Bridgewater, N.J., this past weekend. The Expo drew more than 750 potential retirees from the region who were interested in exploring opportunities and conversing with exhibitors. 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 North Carolina 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, Washington, and Winterville. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program or Visit North Carolina's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771.
Scene from “A Little Prayer” (photo
courtesy Sundance Institute)
N.C.-filmed feature ‘A Little Prayer’ premieres at Sundance Film Festival
“A Little Prayer,” which filmed in and around Winston-Salem in 2022, made its theatrical premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival this past Monday. The film showcased several Winston-Salem area locations, including Old Salem Gardens and Reynolda House. Many of the film’s crew and talent have ties to North Carolina
, whether as residents of the state or via the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The film centers on three generations of a North Carolina family, their sheet metal business, a father and son who are both military veterans, and the women in their lives. After its “rousing premiere,” the project has been purchased by Sony Pictures Classic, but no release date has been announced yet.
Research reports travel costs, personal finance concerns affecting travelers’ plans
Recent research from Destination Analysts indicates that the high costs of travel and personal finance situations are affecting travelers and their travel plans. Nearly half of American travelers say that the expense of travel has kept them from taking as many trips as they would have liked in the last six months. In addition, 40 percent say their financial situation has kept them from traveling more than desired. Airfare, safety concerns and work also are deterrents to travel.
An upcoming recession is also a reason for Americans to be more careful with their money this report also says, and that includes money for travel. The number of Americans who feel like now is the right time to spend money on travel has reached a post-pandemic low of 22 percent. The good news is that 53 percent of travelers still say that travel is a budget priority.
Despite worries about finances and more careful consideration of travel budgets, Americans are still enthusiastic about travel for 2023, with similar levels of excitement as seen this time last year. More than three-quarters of American travelers already have a trip planned in the next several months.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies.
Sharpe new executive director for Edgecombe County TDA
Dave Sharpe is the new executive director for the Edgecombe County TDA. He may be contacted at (252) 823-7241 or via director@tarborochamber.com.
Cycle North Carolina announces Mountains to Coast ride route Cycle North Carolina has announced the route for the 24th Annual Mountains to Coast ride, Sept. 30 - Oct. 7. This year's route, co-sponsored by RetireNC, starts in Banner Elk with overnight stops in Wilkesboro, Winston-Salem, Mebane, Henderson, Tarboro, and Kinston, and then finishes in Emerald Isle. Nearly 1,100 bicyclists from across the country and even outside the U.S. are expected to participate. Watch Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell announce the route here. Once again, Visit NC will be offering Cycle NC/Visit NC excursions. These daily excursions give participants and those traveling with them the opportunity to take a break from the ride and experience North Carolina. A dedicated motorcoach is being provided that departs from the overnight host city in the morning and stops at a few attractions and a destination for lunch each day before arriving at the next overnight host city in the late afternoon. Participants pay a fee to help offset costs to the attractions that host them. They will also have the opportunity to shop and learn more about the state for future visits. This is an opportunity to spread the economic impact of the Cycle NC ride to many more communities on or near the route of the ride. Visit North Carolina, under the previous mantle of the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development, is a founding sponsor of Cycle North Carolina's Mountains to Coast, Fall and Spring rides. Cycle North Carolina offers one of the largest cross-state bicycle tours in the United States. The Fall and Spring rides, in addition to the Mountain Ride in August, are designed to promote North Carolina's scenic beauty while providing substantial economic impact to small towns across the state. During the past 20 years, Cycle North Carolina has stopped overnight in more than 100 North Carolina towns and visited more than 800 North Carolina communities.
James Beard Awards semi-finalists include N.C. sites, chefs The James Beard Awards has announced its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists and several N.C. restaurants and chefs are among those recognized.
Outstanding Chef - Greg Collier, Leah & Louise, Charlotte Best New Restaurant - Heff's Burger Club, Winston-Salem - Neng Jr.'s, Asheville Outstanding Bar Program - Kingfisher, Durham - Salud Cerveceria, Charlotte Best Chef: Southeast - Sam Hart, Counter-, Charlotte - Josiah McGaughey, Vivian, Asheville - Dean Neff, Seabird, Wilmington - Keith Rhodes, Catch, Wilmington - Stephanie Tyson, Sweet Potatoes, - Preeti Waas, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, Raleigh
N.C. Sports Hall of Fame announces 2023 inductees The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2023 induction class. The new members, listed alphabetically, include Rick Barnes, Jason Brown, Jeff Davis, Donald Evans, Tom Fazio, Ellen Griffin, Tom Higgins, Clarkston Hines, Bob “Stonewall” Jackson, Trudi Lacey, Ronald Rogers, John Sadri, Jerry Stackhouse, Curtis Strange and Rosie Thompson. The members will be enshrined during the annual induction banquet on April 21 in Raleigh.
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Jan. 26, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “The Great Outdoors,” which initially aired in February 2022. Featured segments include Huffman Creek Retreat in Robbinsville; Thermal Belt Rail Trail, which connects Forest City, Rutherfordton and Spindale; Uwharrie Trailblazers in Asheboro; and The Mast General Stores, basing the segment in Valle Crucis. (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 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St. Suite 1200 Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
