Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
November 7, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC meets with tour operators, 
media at WTM
* Visit NC booth at Toronto show 
*  Spring print co-op opportunities available
* NCDOT seeks public input on transportation
McCubbin (l) and Walters (r) meet with an operator
Visit NC meets with tour operators, media at WTM

Visit NC's Heidi Walters, along with Visit NC's U.K. and Ireland representative Duncan McCubbin, attended World Travel Market in London, Nov. 5-7. The annual event is the largest gathering of the U.K. travel trade industry. WTM gives Visit North Carolina the opportunity to meet with both tour operators and media contacts to continue to promote the travel options across the state. During the course of the three days, the North Carolina team met with 40 trade and media professionals. Visit North Carolina partnered with Travel South USA on a joint booth for the show. As a partner with Travel South, this offered Visit North Carolina a higher degree of exposure as the stand continues to be one of the most impressive within the USA section. During the Travel South USA and Brand USA receptions, Yadkin Valley wines from Raffaldini Vineyards and Moravian cookies were featured, courtesy of the Winston-Salem CVB. To learn more about Visit NC's international marketing program, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762.
One attendee had fun with the coastal background she chose for her greenscreen photo 
Visit NC booth at Toronto show proves popular for attendees

The Visit North Carolina Canada team participated in the ZoomerShow Lifestyle Expo in Toronto in October. The event is considered Canada's premier show for consumers ages 45 and older and provided attendees with insights on travel, money, health and fitness, and retirement. The Visit NC booth offered several opportunities for engagement including an interactive photobooth experience, complete with fall-themed North Carolina background; North Carolina trivia game with Bone Suckin' Sauce giveaways; and several contest prize drawings, courtesy of Visit Cabarrus and Visit Charlotte. The show had more than 25,000 attendees during the two-day event. To learn more about Visit NC's international marketing program and opportunities, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762. 
Spring print co-op opportunities available for Parents, Outside and more

Several of Visit NC's most popular spring print co-op opportunities are still available. A variety of space options are now open to partners in Parents and Outside magazines. Or select Visit NC's Local Market Combo: Extended Markets, which provides partners with a quarter-page ad in Modern Luxury - Dallas, Modern Luxury - Miami, Manhattan Magazine, Modern Luxury - Chicago, and Modern Luxury - Washington, D.C. - all five publications for one price.
 
Parents  (April 2019)
Availability: Directory-style 1/6-page ad
Investment: $2,500 (78 percent savings on standard rates)
 
Outside  (March 2019)
Availability: Half page ad
Investment: $6,500
Outside  (May 2019)
Availability: Directory-style 1/6-page ad
Investment:  $2,200

Local Market Combo: Extended Markets (April 2019)
Availability: 1/4-page ad
Investment: $4,200 (54 percent savings on standard rates)
 
If interested in participating or for any questions, contact Michelle Murdoch at (704) 552-6565 to discuss.
NC Small Business Advisor conference learns about Visit NC
 
Visit NC's Andre Nabors presented during a session on the state of tourism in North Carolina at the NC Small Business Advisor's Professional Development Conference in Concord last week. Nabors also discussed how to work with Visit NC via various programs and partnerships.
CMT releases teaser for Racing Wives
 
CMT has released the first teaser for Racing Wives, a new reality show that promises a peek inside the NASCAR lifestyle, including living at Lake Norman. The series is set to premiere in January.
NCDOT seeks public input on the future of transportation in N.C.
 
The N.C. Dept. of Transportation wants the public to help influence the future of transportation in North Carolina. From now until Nov. 30, residents can participate in an online survey and leave comments on an interactive map about the future transportation challenges across North Carolina and what should be the future focus of transportation in their regions. Examples include safety, better connections to key destinations, better transit and better bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.  Links to both the survey and interactive map are available at www.ncdot.gov/ncmoves.
 
NCDOT will use the feedback to help shape the vision and goals for its next long-range transportation plan. NC Moves 2050 is NCDOT's 30-year transportation blueprint focused on creating a more responsive, diverse and inclusive transportation system to keep people and freight moving safely and efficiently across the state. The survey is the first of several opportunities for public involvement during the course of the two-year comprehensive study to develop the transportation plan
Fayetteville baseball mascot revealed: the Woodpeckers

Fayetteville's minor league baseball team will be the Woodpeckers, a nod to the endangered red cockaded woodpecker and the tough little bird's remarkable resilience in the Sandhills. The name and mascot of the Advanced Class A Carolina League affiliate was unveiled at a launch party on Sunday. The announcement comes more than a year after the Houston Astros organization collected more than 1,300 suggestions from the public and whittled down the list.
World of Bluegrass sets new attendance record

The World of Bluegrass continues to be a hit, bringing the largest number of people to the International Bluegrass Music Association's week of events since it began in Raleigh in 2013. The sixth edition of this signature event for downtown Raleigh drew an overall estimated attendance of more than 223,000 people, according to figures released last week by the Greater Raleigh CVB. Visitor spending tied to the event was also up a bit this year to $12.7 million, a $1 million increase from 2017's figure of $11.7 million. Over its six years in Raleigh, World of Bluegrass has drawn total attendance of more than 1 million people. Visitor spending associated with the event totals more than $61 million for that period.
N.C. airport & airline news 

AA launching new CLT flight from Erie, Penn. - American Airlines has announced another domestic flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport for next year, this one from Erie (Penn.) International Airport. The twice-daily flight connecting CLT and ERI is slated to begin May 3. In addition, American plans to start a seasonal flight from Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Mich., to CLT. The weekly flight connecting TVC and CLT is scheduled to run June 8 to September.

AA announces flight from Philadelphia to AVL - American Airlines is adding roundtrip service from Asheville to the Philadelphia International Airport. The daily, nonstop service from PHL to AVL is scheduled to begin May 3.
Inn of the Patriots among Wheel of Fortune prizes

The Inn of the Patriots was among the potential prizes featured on Wheel of Fortune last month. The Inn was selected by the program for its Veterans Week from more than 11,000 world-wide B&Bs, and as one of two B&Bs in America; it appeared in a total of five episodes, one for each day as a possible prize. The Inn of the Patriots, in Grover, will also be among the potential prizes during Wheel of Fortune's "Bed & Breakfast Week" in December.
Raleigh chef profiled in 'Exuberant Diwali Sweets From a Rock-Star Chef'

Cheetie Kumar, the chef and co-owner of Garland in Raleigh, was profiled last week in The New York Times' Food section's "Exuberant Diwali Sweets From a Rock-Star Chef." Born in India, she and her family immigrated to New York and the Bronx. A self-taught cook, Kumar makes Indian and pan-Asian food with a vibrant North Carolina slant.
Creating a sustainable festival or event
 
Festivals can be fun but they also have a big impact on the environment. There are many ways in which festival and event planners can make their event more environmentally friendly. Transportation has the highest carbon footprint and planners can help reduce its environmental impact by providing shuttle busses powered by green energy. Providing bike racks and encouraging people to bike to the event is a great way to help prevent air pollution. Holding the event in a central location, within walking distance from green lodging and local points of interest is also a great way to green up. Regardless of whether an event is inside or outside, ask the city or community hosting it to help by providing recycling and composting receptacles. Encourage food vendors to reduce the amount of single-use plastics, such as straws, cutlery and plastic bottles. Vendors can also help by serving fair trade coffee, organic and locally grown foods. Ask them to donate leftover food to a charity organization. Vendors should try to use renewable energy when possible, such as generators powered by biodiesel or incorporate solar and wind energy. For more information about creating green events, contact NC GreenTravel Initiative program manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140.
For the week of Nov. 8 on North Carolina Weekend, discover how to spend a weekend in Edenton. Enjoy the great outdoors at Nags Head Woods Preserve in Kill Devil Hills. Tempt your taste buds at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh. And step back in time to envision Tryon Palace during the "Outlander" era. (Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North Carolina Weekend available online.
The top 15 international countries of origin sending visitors to North Carolina represent 83 percent of all international visitors to the state. The top countries are Canada, U.K., Germany, China, Mexico, India, Japan, France, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Ireland and Denmark. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit the Research section of the Partners website or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748.

Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events

Nov. 7-9 - AARC Annual Conference, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Nov. 8-9 - MPI-CC Meeting, Spartanburg, S.C.
Nov. 14 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary
Dec. 13 - AENC Annual Showcase, Raleigh
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