Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
May 9, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Gov. Cooper announces record
visitor spending, highlights 
N.C. Travel & Tourism Week
* O'Kelley honored for T&T board service;
 Butts elected as new T&T board chair
* 'Firsts That Last' campaign garners Ohio coverage
Gov. Cooper announces record visitor spending, highlights N.C. Travel & Tourism Week

North Carolina tourism generated record visitor spending in 2017 with a total of $23.9 billion, a 4.2 percent increase from 2016, according to new data released Tuesday (yesterday). Additionally, tourism industry-supported employment topped 225,000 jobs to set another record for the state.

"North Carolina is a welcoming place for the nearly 50 million visitors who travel here each year, and tourism continues to be an economic engine for our state, employing 225,200 people across more than 45,000 businesses last year," Gov. Roy Cooper said. "I'm proud of the way the tourism industry continues to fuel growth in communities across our state."

Gov. Cooper, who proclaimed May 6-12, 2018, as Travel and Tourism Week in North Carolina, applauded the growth in direct tourism employment, which was up 2.6 percent from 2016. Payroll income grew even more, increasing 7.1 percent to top $5.9 billion.
 
The figures are from research commissioned by Visit North Carolina and conducted by the U.S. Travel Association. Other findings from the study showed state and local tax receipts from visitor spending rose 3.7 percent to more than $1.9 billion. Visitors spent more than $65 million per day in North Carolina last year and contributed about $5.36 million per day in state and local tax revenues as a result of that spending.
(lf-rt) Mike Butts, Tammy O'Kelley and Commerce  legislative liaison John White
O'Kelley honored for T&T board service; Butts elected as new T&T board chair
 
Randolph County Tourism Director Tammy O'Kelley was honored for her service as chairman of the N.C. Travel & Tourism Board at its regular meeting yesterday (Tuesday). Wit Tuttell and Mike Butts honored O'Kelley with a certificate of appreciation for her service to the state's tourism industry and leadership of the board since 2014. O'Kelley will continue to serve on the board as a House Appointee for the duration for her term.
 
At the meeting, Mike Butts, executive director for Visit Charlotte and vice president of sales for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, was elected to chair the board. Butts, appointed by the N.C. Travel Industry Association, has worked for 19 years at the CRVA where he oversees operations for a team comprised of more than 40 professionals dedicated to promoting the region as a destination for visitors, a host city for meetings and conventions, and a site for sporting events. He is an influential voice in furthering the advancement of Charlotte and the hospitality and tourism industry as a whole. A professional development advocate, Butts has served a number of industry-related organizations - most notably as president for the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina, and as a board member for Destination International, N.C. Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development, and N.C. Travel & Tourism Coalition. He also sits on the board for the U.S. Travel Association and the American Bus Association. A native of Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated from Ohio State University, he followed the usual hospitality path of moving every couple years but now calls Charlotte his favorite city, where he has lived for 25 years. 
 
The N.C. Travel & Tourism Board advocates the sound development of the state's travel and tourism industry. Created in 1991, the board advises the N.C. Secretary of Commerce on policy matters related to tourism promotion in North Carolina. Among other duties, the board recommends programs that will promote the state as a travel and tourism destination; advises the Secretary on the effectiveness of agencies contracting with Visit North Carolina, which contracts with Commerce; and promotes the exchange of ideas and information on travel and tourism between state and local government agencies, private organizations and individuals.
The mother and daughter in the Coast video 
'Firsts That Last' campaign garners Ohio coverage

Visit NC's "Firsts That Last" campaign was recently in the spotlight by The Columbus Dispatch, in Ohio. The article interviewed the mother and daughter that appear in the Coast video and advertising portions of "Firsts That Last"; the two are from Columbus. The placement is the result of proactive pitching by Visit NC's PR team. The article appeared both online, garnering 2,125,572 impressions, and in the weekend print edition, which has a circulation of nearly 172,000. 
Words on Bathroom Walls starts filming in Wilmington

The big-screen adaptation of Words on Bathroom Wallsbegan filming this week in Wilmington. The production is based at EUE/Screen Gems Studios with offices and sets on several sound stages. Filming is expected to last into July. According to the N.C. Film Office, the production is expected to have a direct in-state spend in excess of $9.3 million and has had funds set aside from the state's Film and Entertainment Grant fund.
McKeaver
N.C. Welcome Center's McKeaver receives Old North State Award posthumously
 
Gov. Roy Cooper has bestowed upon Chris McKeaver the Old North State Award posthumously. McKeaver died unexpectedly in March on his way to work as manager of the I-77 North N.C. Welcome Center. The Old North State award is granted for public service employment with the State of North Carolina "for dedication and service beyond expectation." It is also granted to persons who have devoted significant volunteer or community service in North Carolina.
Charlotte's BB&T Ballpark ranked #1 among top 10 minor league ballparks

Baseball America sent surveys to broadcasters and scouts across the country and asked them for their take on the Top 10 Minor League Ballparks. Explained the article, "The rules were simple: In all of your travels, which park would you be most likely to return to if you were a fan? The answers were widely varied - some big names made the list for the reasons you might expect, and some smaller parks made the list for reasons you might not." Out of 248 minor league teams, BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights, was voted #1. Of the Charlotte ballpark, the article noted, ""It is legitimately a major league-style ballpark, but for a Triple-A team,' one broadcaster wrote. 'Completely renovated and upgraded with the best technology and amenities, incredible views and sight lines from everywhere in the park as well. Just a gorgeous ballpark.' It's not just broadcasters who love Charlotte. It's not just broadcasters who love Charlotte. The park is a favorite of scouts, too. 'It has a good downtown location,' one said. 'It's an outstanding stadium with great view of the downtown. Very classy stadium.'"
 
Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham was ranked #6. The article noted, "The most famous team in the minor leagues got a stadium befitting of its reputation in 2014, when upgrades added a video board, a luxurious suite area and a spacious concourse. Since then, Duke University has moved its home games to the DBAP as well."
AA adding two flights from Bahamas to CLT

American Airlines is adding two flights from the Bahamas to Charlotte Douglas International Airport starting Dec. 22, reports the Charlotte Business Journal. The flights will be from Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour. Both flights will operate on Saturdays year-round.
N.C. chefs share why 'Fried bologna sandwiches are everything America needs right now'

Food & Wine notes in an online article "Fried bologna sandwiches are everything America needs right now," having several chefs share their idea of a perfect bologna sandwich. The article includes three chefs at restaurants in N.C.: Craig Deihl of Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, Ashley Christensen with Chuck's in Raleigh, and Matt Krenz of The Asbury in Charlotte.
Retrofitting hotel thermostats: It isn't all or nothing

The average hotel guestroom is empty 62 percent if the time. If a hotelier isn't managing the temperature in those rooms, they could be tossing thousands of dollars away needlessly on heating and cooling bills. Some brands of thermostats, using built-in in infrared motion detectors, can help save energy by sensing the presence of guests and room temperatures while adjusting to the most comfortable level. Other brands use key cards to control the HVAC system. A variety of technology is available. Consider this, though, by updating guestroom thermostats in a few rooms at a time, a hotel can save enough money on energy bills to pay for the upgrade. It can baby-step the way to energy efficiency without doing an "all-or-nothing" retrofit of the hotel's thermostats. Check with the utility company to see if they offer incentives to help with the retrofit as well. Make sure to purchase a reliable brand that can meet the hotel's needs without sacrificing guests' comfort. For more information, contact NC GreenTravel Initiative manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140.
For the week of May 10 on North Carolina Weekend, explore the "You Are Here" exhibit at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh. Tour the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy. See what's showing during Milo's Old Time Western Film Festival in Siler City. Discover the "UFO House" in Frisco. And tempt your taste buds at Simply Natural Creamery in Ayden. (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.
Visitors to North Carolina generate enough state and local tax revenues to save each North Carolina household an average of $512 annually. For more information on the impact of tourism on North Carolina, visit Economic Impact Studies or contact Tourism Research Director Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748.
Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events

Through May 12 - National Travel & Tourism Week, nationwide
May 16-17 - MPI-CC Meeting, Wilmington
May 17 - NC Coast Host Quarterly Meeting, Emerald Isle
May 19-23 - U.S. Travel Assn.'s IPW, Denver, Colo.
June 8 - NC Sports Association Quarterly Meeting, TBD
June 14 - Visit NC's TRAC, Tarboro
June 24-29 - STS Marketing College, Dahlonega, Ga.
June 26-28 - TTRA International Conference, Coral Gables, Fla.
July 19-20 - MPI-CC Meeting, Winston-Salem
July 21-23 - AENC Annual Meeting, Greenville
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