Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners | October 14, 2020 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC webinar next week features Count On Me NC, grant funding for DMOs
* Visit NC PR September pitches lead to two N.C. artists in the spotlight
* Visit NC drafts NASCAR stars to drive #CountOnMeNC message
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Visit NC webinar next week highlights Count On Me NC, Tourism Promotion Grants for DMOs Visit NC's webinar next week will offer an update on Count On Me NC and a second round of Tourism Promotion Grants for DMOs from CARES Act funding. The webinar will be on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m.; click here to register. Recordings of the Visit NC webinars are available here. Visit NC's webinar topics and registration information will be posted as available on Partners.VisitNC - COVID-19 and VisitNC365. In a continuing effort to foster collaboration through the COVID-19 crisis, Visit NC and NCTIA have been hosting bi-weekly, regional online meetings for DMOs across the state. The next DMO Forums will be Tuesday, Nov. 3. |
Visit NC PR September pitches lead to two N.C. artists in the spotlight
The efforts of Visit NC's PR team have led to two N.C. artists being among Reader's Digest's online article "11 Amazing Black Artists Who Have Been Flying Under the Radar." The PR included in its September headline pitches a focus on women muralists; it caught the attention of the writer, who chose two artists from the suggested list which included the Raleigh area's Dare Coulter and Asheville's Jenny Pickens. Of Coulter, the article noted in part, "Dedicated to creating positive images of people of color through sculptures, murals, drawings, and paintings, Dare Coulter dares to go big." Of Pickens, the article said in part, "Her work, which focuses on women, zooming in on their eyes, is a reflection of the Black female strength she learned from her greatest role model." RD.com has 2.3 million UVPM. (unique views per month). |
Visit NC drafts NASCAR stars to drive #CountOnMeNC message
|  | Gaulding pauses for a pit stop during Saturday's race (photo courtesy Gray Gaulding's Facebook page)
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In partnership with Visit North Carolina, NASCAR drivers hit the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord this past weekend with a display of support for Count On Me NC, a public health initiative to curb the spread of COVID-19. During Saturday's Xfinity Drive for the Cure 250, the No. 74 Chevy Camaro driven by Gray Gaulding for Standout Management Group was wrapped entirely in Count On Me NC vinyl with a "Keep Your Distance" message on the bumper. Sunday's Bank of America 400 Roval showcased campaign branding on the No. 43 car driven by NASCAR star Bubba Wallace for Richard Petty Motorsports. As an added bonus, Wallace created a social media post featuring a selfie video of himself wearing a Count On Me NC branded mask and taking the safety pledge. Gauldings's social media prowess resulted in more than 12,000 engagements during the weekend for his Count On Me NC posts. There's much more to come, as the partnership with Gaulding runs through the end of the year. |
Research shows interest in travel increasing but low confidence to travel safely
Interest in travel slowly continues to increase this week, reports Destination Analysts, with 80 percent of American travelers indicating that they have at least tentative trips planned. In fact, the state of mind of travelers reached its highest level this week since the pandemic began. A quarter of Americans with current plans to travel report that leisure travel will be a high priority in terms of spending in the next few months.
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Americans report increased happiness upon viewing travel destination advertisements and note that they prefer honest, friendly and direct tones when it comes to messaging. They are also positive about seeing masks worn in travel advertisements. When it comes to information needed to travel safely, American travelers report that they have a high degree of trust in official tourism organizations, including state tourism offices and local tourism bureaus.
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However, despite the happiness brought about by travel advertising and excitement for the idea of travel, there is still a lack of confidence in being able to travel safely. Forty-three percent of Americans report that they are not confident that they could travel safely in the current environment. Nor do they feel they could fully enjoy travel right now. Fifty-seven percent report that if they were to travel right now, they could not fully enjoy it. Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
'North Carolina's film industry is gaining momentum, again'
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CharlotteAgenda.com reported last week "North Carolina's film industry is gaining momentum, again." The article examined how the industry is bouncing back from several setbacks and also included comments by NC Film Office Director Guy Gaster. The article noted, "At least seven films and television shows are in production or soon to be in production here in North Carolina. These films follow what's described as a banner year for television and movie production in the state in 2019. At least one of them, Delilah, a new series for Oprah's television network, will film in and around Charlotte... North Carolina's diverse terrain, from the ocean to the mountains, and generally mild weather create options for production companies... One film can create hundreds of jobs and boost local economies. Plus, successful movies or tv shows can translate to increases in tourism, and the bragging rights aren't bad either." "They're (production companies) able to come in and spend a lot of money in the communities in which film making is taking place immediately," said Gaster. "You look at a series like 'Delilah,' they're in Charlotte, and their budget you're talking about over $1 million being spent per episode." |
NCAA awards new regional, national championships to N.C. sites
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Bermuda Run will host the Division I Women's Golf Championships regionals in 2024; and the Division I Men's Golf Championships regionals in 2026. Cary will host the Division II Baseball Championship finals in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the Division I Men's Soccer Championship semifinals and finals in 2022 and 2025; and the Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship semifinals and finals in 2023 and 2024; and Division I Women's Soccer Championship semifinals and finals 2022, 2023 and 2024. Chapel Hill will host the Division I Men's Golf Championships regionals in 2024; Division I Women's Golf Championships regionals in 2025; and Division I Field Hockey Championship semifinals and finals in 2023. Charlotte will host the Division I Men's Basketball Championship first and second rounds in 2024; Division II Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships regionals in 2022 and 2025. Durham will host the National Collegiate Men's and Women's Fencing Championships finals in 2023; and the Division I Field Hockey Championship semifinals and finals in 2025. Greensboro will host the Division I Men's Basketball Championship first and second rounds in 2023; and Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships finals in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Matthews will host the Division II Men's and Women's Soccer Championships semifinals and finals in 2025. Raleigh will host Division I Men's Basketball Championship first and second rounds in 2025; and Division I Women's Golf Championships regionals in 2023. |
NC Civil War Trails get updated signage, site maintenance
A team with Civil War Trails spent three days in the coastal region earlier this month maintaining the program's system of signage. The team visited New Bern, Roanoke Rapids, Smithfield, Swansboro, Williamston and Wilmington, shifting signs to be more ADA compliant, repainting worn pedestals and refreshing directional trailblazers. Besides normal preventative maintenance, the team worked with descendants of formerly enslaved people and local historians to expand the narrative in Windsor and Winton to include new information about the African American experience in those towns. Windsor/Bertie County Chamber of Commerce's Lewis Hoggard said, "We have been impressed by the number of visitors generated through the Trails Program, and the overall interest in checking out our Civil War Trails site." In Winton, the team was joined by a family that had sponsored a Civil War Trails sign and who also helped with the project in town. |
For the week of Oct. 15, "North Carolina Weekend" features RV camping in Brevard; Café Madeleine Bakery and Wine in Farmville; Pettigrew State Park in Creswell; Stone Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville; and Parahdise Sculpture in Greenville. (Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has recent editions of "North Carolina Weekend" available online. |
Resources for travel industry regarding COVID-19
As the travel industry is facing challenging times in the ever-changing situation of COVID-19 and its effects, there are several useful resources available to help with information, communications, planning and guidance. |
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