Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - June 13, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC media tours lead to
AdventureELEVATE conference
* Visit NC PR team efforts successful
* Outdoor NC Accessibility Toolkit now available
* Visit NC’s June webinar this morning features Outdoor NC, Trail Town Stewardship Program
Visit NC media tours lead to AdventureELEVATE conference in Asheville In conjunction with the Adventure Travel Trade Association conference in Asheville this week, the Visit NC PR team worked with destination partners to host 14 travel writers on three familiarization tours highlighting a wealth of outdoor activity. After landing at CLT, the writers joined the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority for an introductory tour of the Queen City before departing for the mountains. Explore Boone’s itinerary included hikes at Grandfather Mountain State Park, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Julian Price Memorial Park; a 4WD EV run at Sky Valley Zip Tours; and time on the Watauga River with RiverGirl Fishing Co. The Explore Brevard trip featured climbing at Looking Glass Rock with Pisgah Climbing School, mountain biking at DuPont State Recreational Forest with Pura Vida Adventures, a Nero Coffee Hikes excursion to see waterfalls, and a plunge at Sliding Rock. Signature experiences with Explore Bryson City included a Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ride with rafting at Nantahala
Outdoor Center plus a waterfall hike and Fontana Lake kayaking led by Carolina Bound Adventures. The adventure continued to Cherokee with a stop at Oconaluftee Indian Village and time on the Fire Mountain Trails with Cherokee Historical Association. Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell, Amanda Baker and Veda Gilbert escorted the media participants and joined DMO hosts on the trails for adventure. After the PreAdventures, the writers arrived in Asheville for more hospitality and adventure arranged by Explore Asheville, the conference sponsor. With a spotlight on education and networking, AdventureELEVATE attracts media, outbound tour operators and thought leaders in the adventure travel community. The conference ends today (Thursday).
Visit NC PR team pitch leads to Pinehurst placement, brings other successes
With the U.S. Open in full swing at Pinehurst, a golf getaway to the storied resort made Newsweek.com’s list of “Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts Dads Will Love,” thanks to pitching from Visit NC’s PR team. With a reference to Pinehurst as the “Home of American Golf,” the roundup described the luxury package and touted the celebrated Donald Ross-designed No. 2 course, the Open’s four-time site. Newsweek.com attracts more than 49 million unique monthly visitors.
In other PR team-influenced coverage, Charlotte’s Durag Fest was featured in the Travel Noire roundup “The 13 Top Black Festivals to Add to Your Calendar,” thanks to the event’s inclusion in a PR team pitch. “Now in its 6th year, it’s all about nurturing and supporting Black culture with a lineup that includes speakers, panels, mixers, workshops, and more,” the writer said. The festival takes place June 21-22 at Camp North End. Travel Noire attracts 790,004 unique monthly visitors.
Linville Falls Winery in Newland received coverage in a 10Best.USAToday.com roundup as the result of a reactive pitch from the PR team and the winery’s response to a follow-up photo request. “Namaste, wine lovers: Destinations where yoga and wine pair perfectly” highlighted the weekend yoga sessions held on the lawn amid views of the vineyards and surrounding mountains. 10Best.USAToday.com attracts 900,639 unique monthly visitors.
Outdoor NC Accessibility Toolkit now available
The Outdoor NC Accessible Outdoor program aims to increase information transparency so individuals can make informed decisions about exploring NC's outdoor spaces based on their abilities. The program includes a suite of tools which are free to partners and stakeholders throughout the state.
This full suite of tools can be found at https://partners.visitnc.com/outdoor-nc. The Outdoor NC Accessibility Toolkit contains an ADA asset inventory sheet, accessible outdoor communication guidance, recorded webinars, and more to help make North Carolina’s destinations and outdoor spaces more accessible.
Visit NC’s June webinar this morning showcases Outdoor NC, Trail Town Stewardship Program
For its June webinar this morning, Visit NC's Partner & Industry Relations team will share information on the latest advancements with Outdoor NC and the launch of the Trail Town Stewardship Program and Guide. In the inaugural year, 15 partners were enrolled in the Trail Town program. The webinar will provide a recap of the program's progress, delve into program outcomes, and outline the upcoming release of the trail guide and enrollment details for the next cohort of Trail Towns. The Great Trail State Coalition will also join the webinar and provide an update on what's next for trails around the state. The webinar will be this morning at 10 a.m. Click
here to register.
Brooks new executive director for Stanly County CVB/Visit Stanly
Kasey Brooks is the new executive director for Stanly County CVB/Visit Stanly. She may be contacted at (704) 986-2583 or via director@stanlycvb.com.
Mann now leading Yancey County Chamber of Commerce
Elaine Mann is now the executive director for the Yancey County Chamber ofCommerce. She may be contacted at (828) 682-7413 or via director@yanceychamber.com.
Two in NC among ’30 Under 30’
The International Association of Venue Managers has announced its “30 Under 30.” The Class of 2024 includes Khamari Alexander with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority/Charlotte Convention Center and Zenik Hite with the Raleigh Convention Center.
NC Music Hall of Fame announces class of 2024 inductees
The NC Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis has announced the six inductees that will comprise its Class of 2024: Clarence Avant, Mary Cardwell Dawson, Tommy Faile, Bobby Hicks, Merge Records and Petey Pablo. The 2024 class is scheduled to be enshrined during the annual induction ceremony on October 17 in Mooresville.
Vote for NC sites among ‘Best places to visit for a health and wellness vacations’
North Carolina has several sites among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for “Best places to visit for a health and wellness vacation.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends at noon onJuly 1.
Edgecamp Pamlico Station in Hatteras in the spotlight
Travel + Leisure spotlighted Edgecamp Pamlico Station in Hatteras in its article “North Carolina's Outer Banks Has a Chic New Hotel – and It Offers Dune Buggy Adventures, a Private Chef, and Cold Plunges
." The article noted in part, designer Jonathan "Adler had full design reign over the 14 accommodations of the all-suite hotel (from $475 per night), including decor and furnishings. Each spacious suite has a living room, dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, and bedroom... To that end, the hotel has a concierge to assist with water sport rentals and lessons, dune buggy adventures, biking, as well as kitchen stocking and a private chef. The property also features a wellness center equipped with saunas, cold plunges, and a hot tub... Still to come in the next year will be the adjacent Edgecamp Sporting Club, an added amenity for hotel guests and club members where they can enjoy waterfront dining, a kiteboarding membership, pool access, and more.”
‘The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway’
In "The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway
," Outside magazine spotlighted “America’s Favorite Drive,” including several stops in North Carolina. The Asheville-based writer explained, "I get excited about this particular byway as an avenue of adventure, anchoring some of the best road cycling and hiking in the Southern Appalachian mountains. I don’t even think of the Blue Ridge Parkway as a road, but a 469-mile-long park… I get excited about this road not because of the national parks on either end, but what’s along the way." In the “How to Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina” section included the best hikes, best road rides, best gateway towns and where to stay along the Parkway.
For the week of June 13, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “The Perfect Beach Trip.” Featured segments include Three10 Restaurant in Wilmington; Carolina Beach Mural Trail; Harkers Island and Cape Lookout; Island Farm in Manteo; and Shepard Barbecue in Emerald Isle. (Check local listings, as 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
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