| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | January 24, 2018 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Keynote speakers for Visit NC 365 * National Plan for Vacation Day is next Tuesday
* Visit NC efforts lead to spotlight for Southern Grace Distilleries, Raleigh
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Hansen, Owen and Bhargava: Keynote speakers for Visit NC 365
Phil Hansen, Tom Owen and Rohit Bhargava are Visit NC 365's keynote speakers. Phil Hansen, referred to by his fans as "the artist for the people," is an internationally recognized multimedia artist, speaker, author and the opening keynote speaker for the Visit NC 365 conference, in Winston-Salem, March 4-6. Tom Owen addresses attendees on Monday afternoon with the keynote presentation "The Voice of the Visitor," an outlook on the attractions industry generated directly from guest feedback, and a glimpse into the future of attractions. Tuesday morning, Rohit Bhargava, an adviser of global brands for more than 18 years, addresses attendees with a compelling keynote focused on inspiring more innovation. Bhargava's keynote precedes the Visit NC Update, knitting together global components with Visit North Carolina's marketing strategies. |
 National Plan for Vacation Day is next Tuesday; Visit NC offering quiz for workers to gauge lost vacation time
Visit North Carolina wants workers to know how much vacation they're losing and to start planning on Jan 30 for this year's vacation time. A five-question quiz devised by Visit NC and shared across its social media channels helps workers gauge their losses and offers a chance to win back the amount on a Visa gift card. Those who take the quiz also will receive inspiration from Visit NC to help them plan 2018 vacations instead of leaving time-off compensation on the table. Powered by Project: Time Off, a research initiative funded by the U.S. Travel Association, National Plan for Vacation Day means to encourage Americans to declare their vacation days for the rest of the year, at the start of the year. There's a toolkit available to make a DMO's #PlanForVacationefforts a success, which includes press release and blog templates, talking points and useful data. |
 Visit NC media mission leads to Southern Grace Distilleries in the spotlight
Southern Grace Distilleries in Mount Pleasant was featured on CNN Travel this past weekend in "Perfect place for a distillery? Behind bars." The article resulted from Visit NC's Charlotte Media Mission last August, which both the writer and Visit Cabarrus attended. The article explained how the distillery, located in a former correctional center, produces four types of whiskey moonshine and one bourbon. It also included some history of the former prison, tying in with current tours the distillery offers. |
 Canadian fam leads to 'Eight reasons to go to Raleigh'
The Visit NC Canadian media familiarization tour last November led to Raleigh being featured in The Globe and Mail in "Eight reasons to go to Raleigh, N.C.: Start with the brewpub-bookstore-dim sum complex." The fam tour was organized by Visit NC, with the Greater Raleigh CVB as one of the hosts during the group's visit. The article, which appeared both in print and online highlighted some of the must-sees and activities in Raleigh, painting the city as an emerging entrepreneurial and culinary hub. The Globe and Mail is distributed nationally with a circulation of 338,970 and a digital reach of almost 12 million unique monthly visitors. |
 'Real places in Oscar-nominated films' features places to visit, including towns in Three Billboards
Associated Press released "Real places in Oscar-nominated films from Dunkirk to Toronto," which includes towns used in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The article notes, "Ebbing is a fictional place. The movie was shot in North Carolina, and North Carolina is promoting a three-day itinerary to filming locations in Sylva, Dillsboro, Black Mountain, Asheville and Maggie Valley in the western part of the state." Visit NC created the Trip Idea "Explore Authentic Locations From Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" to inspire potential visitors to travel to North Carolina to see some of the movie locations and visit sites the cast and crew enjoyed. Visit NC's PR team worked with the AP regarding photography for the article, too. As this is an Associated Press story, it's been picked up by various media outlets, including The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and The New York Times. |
 D.C. travel show sees strong interest in N.C.
This past weekend, Visit NC attended the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, D.C., partnering with the Outer Banks VB, Pender County TDA, Boone TDA, Greenville CVB, High Point CVB, and Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen Area CVB. The booth had solid traffic throughout the consumer travel show, which saw an attendance of more than 22,300. The next consumer shows for Visit NC are the New York Times Travel Show (est. attendance 36,000) in New York, N.Y., Jan. 26-28, and the Travel & Adventure Show (est. attendance 14,000) in Philadelphia, Pa., March 10-11. These shows offer additional opportunities for Visit NC - and its interested partners - to promote travel to North Carolina to potential visitors who are actively looking for travel suggestions and information. Partners interested in participating in any or all of the upcoming shows should contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
| | | A previous TRAC in
Dobson |
TRAC coming to Roxboro/Person County region Feb. 22
On 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 André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
 Three Billboards nominated for seven Oscars; wins three SAG Awards
The N.C.-filmed Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri has been nominated for seven Academy Awards - Best picture;, Best actress in a leading role (Frances McDormand); Best actor in a supporting actor (Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson); Best film editing (Jon Gregory); Best music - original score (Carter Burwell); and Best writing - original screenplay (Martin McDonagh). The production filmed in Spring 2016 in Jackson, Haywood and Buncombe counties, and had a direct in-state spend in excess of $12.6 million with a crew that was 2/3 North Carolinians. The Academy Awards will be presented March 4. This past Sunday, the Screen Actors Guild announced its winners and Three Billboards was recognized with three SAG Awards - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture; female actor (McDormand); and supporting male actor (Rockwell). |
 American Animals debuts at Sundance Film Festival
The N.C.-filmed feature American Animals made its world debut this past Friday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film, which was strongly recruited by the NC Film Office and assisted by the Charlotte Regional Film Commission, shot in the state in early 2016 and had a direct in-state spend in excess of $6.2 million, while creating 1,200 job opportunities of which 1,156 were filled by North Carolinians. In the movie, which is based on a true story, four young men mistake their lives for a movie and attempt one of the most audacious heists in U.S. history. Filming took place in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties. Early reviews, such as one from The Hollywood Reporter, have been positive. The film is still seeking distribution in North America. |
 Dawson's Creek turns 20
Jan. 20 marked the 20th anniversary of the debut of the N.C.-filmed hit TV series Dawson's Creek. The program ran for six seasons, with all being based in North Carolina. While production mainly took place in Wilmington and its surrounding areas, the production did travel throughout the state, including showcasing sites in Raleigh, Durham and Asheville, among other places. "As Dawson's Creek turns 20, a look back" offers history, how the TV series affected the area and the state's film industry, and more. |
 N.C. State Parks saw record visitation in 2017
N.C. State Parks experienced a record number of visitors in 2017. State parks and recreation areas welcomed 19.4 million visitors in 2017, a 3.4 percent increase over the 18.8 million who came during 2016. It was the fourth consecutive year of record visitation. Among 39 state parks and recreation areas, 27 reported increases in visitation in 2017. Jockeys Ridge State Park in Dare County reported the greatest visitation at 1.56 million, and was among six state park units logging more than a million visitors. The others were Fort Macon and William B. Umstead State Parks and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake State Recreation Areas. Six other state park units had more than 750,000 visitors including Lake Norman State Park, which crept closer to a million this year with more than 962,000 visitors. Following the system's Centennial year in 2016, North Carolina State Parks engaged visitors with its Passport and 100-Mile Challenge programs, which promote a healthy, active lifestyle through goal-setting and accountability. Parks officials attribute the continued increase in visitation to new trails, improvements in parks and greater public awareness brought on by a more aggressive social media effort. |
 CLT adding two new American Airlines flights
American Airlines will add two more options for travelers to Charlotte Douglas International Airport this summer. Nonstop flights to CLT from Florida Beaches International Airport (Panama City, Fla.), and South Bend (Ind.) International Airport will begin June 7. |
 Vote for N.C. airport sites among 10Best categories
Several N.C. airport sites are among the nominations for four 10Best categories, as online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com's website. Click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Feb. 19 at noon. Best Airport Grab-And-Go Dining - 1897 Market, Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
 Asheville, Hickory among 'Best small cities in the U.S.'
Asheville and Hickory have been recognized by National Geographic Traveler in its "Best Small Cities in the U.S." The list highlights the top U.S. small cities based on unconventional metrics that it thinks lead to happiness: green spaces, galleries, coffee shops, breweries, music venues, Instagrammable moments, and more. Of Asheville, the article noted,"More than three dozen craft breweries and brewpubs (the most per capita of any U.S. city) work hoppy magic in and around this North Carolina town. Many cluster in the South Slope, a former automotive zone where you can now walk between spots like Wicked Weed's Funkatorium and Catawba Brewing Co., with a spacious deck boasting views of Mount Pisgah. Crafts of a less intoxicating sort also headline throughout the city, including at the historic Grovewood Village, with its artisan studios, art galleries, and sculpture garden." Of Hickory, the article said, "A thriving 20th-century manufacturing hub for furniture and textiles, Hickory now finds itself heading our list for its hipster-friendly offerings, from tattoo parlors to vintage clothing boutiques. Craft-beer enthusiasts gather at the popular annual Hickory Hops festival featuring more than 50 microbreweries and live music." |
 'Best Places to Travel in the South in 2018' includes Brevard
Southern Living includes Brevard in its "Best Places to Travel in the South in 2018." Of Brevard, the article explained, "The annual festival held by the Brevard Music Center brings arts and music lovers from all over the country to this tiny town. Between concerts, visit Looking Glass Falls or the swimming hole at Sliding Rock. More adventure-minded travelers can whitewater raft along Wilson Creek or hike the hundreds of miles of trails that criss-cross through Pisgah National Forest. When you've worked up an appetite, head to Rocky's Grill and Soda Shop for memorable pimento cheese, burgers, and all your soda fountain favorites. By the end of the day, you'll want a cozy place to sleep, so book a room at the restful Key Falls Inn." |
Attracting green-conscious travelers
For hotels, restaurants and other travel-oriented businesses looking to attract green-conscious travelers, it is important to develop a marketing plan that is honest, transparent and verifiable. Green-conscious travelers want to know more than that the destination they are visiting is touting it's green; they want to know what specific actions have been/are being taken to protect the environment. Becoming certified or recognized as a green travel destination is a great way for a hotel, restaurant or an attraction to begin promoting their green efforts. State-lever programs such as North Carolina's NC GreenTravel Initiative provide verifiable recognition for hotels and other green travel-oriented businesses, so having that "green" designation can be great for marketing and PR efforts. For more information on what a business can do to attract green travelers,contact NC GreenTravel Initiative manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of Jan. 25 on North Carolina Weekend, see horses and mules at the Southern National Draft Horse Pull in Raleigh. Enjoy the great outdoors at New River State Park in Laurel Springs. Check our local favorite Stackhouse Restaurant in Mars Hill. Challenge yourself at Kinetic Heights in Charlotte. And tempt your taste buds at Quanto Basta in Winston-Salem. (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. | The average travel party size for all Mountain Region visitors in 2016 was 2.3 people. Thirty percent of all travel parties to the region included children in the party (27 percent of overnighters). For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Visitor Profile Studies or contact Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
Through Jan. 28 - Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah Jan. 26-30 - ABA Annual Meeting & Marketplace, Charlotte Jan. 28-29 - NC Assn. of Festivals & Events ShowFest, Charlotte Feb. 5 - NCRLA Annual Meeting, Raleigh Feb 7 - NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary
Feb 21, 22 - HSMAI-NC "Building the Sales Pipeline," Charlotte (21), Durham (22) Feb. 22 - Visit NC's TRAC, Roxboro March 6 - NC Sports Association Quarterly Meeting, Winston-Salem March 15-16 - MPI-CC Meeting, Raleigh |
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