| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | October 2, 2019 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC PR efforts lead to Brevard, New Bern, Bitty & Beau's Coffee in the spotlight
* 2020 Visit NC 365 set for March 22-24 in Asheville
* Limited availability remaining for spring print co-ops
* Retire NC promoted in D.C. region
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Visit NC PR efforts lead to Brevard, New Bern, Bitty & Beau's Coffee in the spotlight
The efforts of Visit NC's PR team have led to Brevard, New Bern and Bitty & Beau's Coffee in Wilmington being included in two articles by Southern Living. The placements were the result of the PR team working with the freelance journalist who produced both articles, which appeared in the Southeast Edition and online.
Brevard and New Bern are among "The South's Best Retirement Towns 2019." Of Brevard, the article noted, "Brevard is a gathering kind of place. Locals congregate in restaurants, bakeries, breweries, even the grocery store - and talk to one another. With fewer than 8,000 people, it's also home to the renowned Brevard Music Center and its Summer Institute & Festival that brings around 80 performances to town each June. (The artistic director is native son and Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart.) Surrounding Transylvania County has over 250 waterfalls, with much of the land near Brevard protected as parks. You can take a hike, ride a bike, and paddle the historic French Broad River and enjoy an impressive arts scene - all of which are just a stone's throw from happening Asheville." For New Bern, the article said, "Set on the Trent and Neuse Rivers, this coastal Carolina charmer offers Georgian and Federal-style architecture and an interesting history, along with abundant outdoor recreation - from biking and hiking to golfing and kayaking. They have all this plus music and theater. Just don't ask for a Coke; Pepsi was born here. If you enjoy an active lifestyle and love a waterfront environment, put New Bern on your list of towns to check out." Bitty & Beau's Coffee was included among "The South's Best Coffee Shops." Of the Wilmington shop, the article explained, in part, "A world map on the wall displays colorful pins marking countries near and surprisingly far, put there by visitors traveling to Bitty & Beau's Coffee to see a remarkable concept in action. Servers with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) take your order, make your drink, and help you feel welcome while a manager works in the background. 'Walls come down, and people appreciate differences - and how we are similar,' says Amy Wright, the cafe founder and mother of Bitty and Beau, who were both born with Down syndrome.... A huge success, Bitty & Beau's has now added locations in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia; has a thriving mail-order business; is the official coffee of Rachael Ray's TV show; and roasts its own beans.... Merchandise saying '#notbroken' offers an inspiring take-home reminder." |
2020 Visit NC 365 set for March 22-24 in Asheville
Save the date for the 2020 Visit NC 365 Conference, March 22-24, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The annual Visit NC 365 Conference is the state's premier travel industry event. Bringing together more than 500 of the state's tourism industry leaders, the conference provides opportunities to catch up on the latest trends and issues facing the travel industry, hear insights from industry experts and network with other travel and tourism professionals. NewsLink will have updates regarding conference registration and other information in future issues. |
Limited availability remaining for spring print co-ops It's not too late to participate in Visit NC's spring 2020 print co-ops.There is still space remaining in Garden & Gun and Southern Living - two of the most popular publication options.Garden & Gun reaches a total audience of 1.6 million with more than 60 pecent of that readership residing on the East Coast. Their readers also have a high propensity to travel and take an average of 11 trips per year.Southern Living covers the best in Southern travel, food, home and style. Visit NC's spring print co-op will reach a total audience of 1,683,000 in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Spring 2020 is right around the corner, so secure your space today. Please contact Hailey Weddington at LGA at (704) 552-6565 today to reserve your placement.
Garden & Gun (February/March 2020): 1/6 Page Directory Ad Investment: $2,750 Deadline for space reservation: Oct. 8 Deadline for materials: Oct. 14 |
Southern Living (April 2020): 1/6 Page Directory Ad Investment: $5,800 Deadline for space reservation: Nov. 20 Deadline for materials: Dec. 17
Garden & Gun (June/July 2020):
Deadline for space reservation: Jan. 15 Deadline for materials: Feb. 21 |
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RetireNC promoted in D.C. region Visit NC's André Nabors, along with partners from Jamestown/High Point and Johnston County, promoted North Carolina as a retirement destination at the Ideal-Living Resort & Retirement Expo in Tysons Corner, Va., this past weekend. The Expo drew more than 800 potential retirees from the region who were interested in exploring opportunities and conversing with exhibitors from across the Southeast. Attendees talked with experts from towns and community developers to gain insights and get answers to help plan, design and enjoy their retirement. North Carolina has consistently been one of the most requested states by the attendees.
Visit North Carolina attended the Expo to continue its efforts to promote the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program, which consists of Eden, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Jamestown/High Point, Johnston County, Laurinburg, Lenoir, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, New Bern, Reidsville, Roanoke Rapids, Salisbury, Sanford, Tarboro, Washington and Winterville. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program or Visit North Carolina's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771.
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'On Location' video released for N.C.-filmed 'A Christmas Love Story' The Hallmark Channel has released a behind-the-scenes video for "A Christmas Love Story," a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. The production filmed in the greater Charlotte area earlier this year and was selected to receive up to $974,000 from the N.C. Film and Entertainment Grant program, which rebates productions up to 25 percent of their direct, audited in-state spending. In the video, director Eric Close comments, "It's just been spectacular how the city has embraced us, and we found these amazing locations that really complement the [movie]." The made-for-television feature is slated to debut December 7 as part of the network's Countdown to Christmas movie schedule. |
Randolph County tourism group tackles human trafficking with training
The Heart of North Carolina VB and the I-73/I-74 Visitor Centers recently completed training to identify the warning signs of human trafficking. The training was made available through a partnership between The Randolph County TDA, which operates the bureau and centers, and the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association. "A lot of the places where people are labor and sex trafficked, where they're held or kept, are unfortunately in places like the visitor centers that are on the highways, in restaurants and in hotels," said RCTDA's Tammy O'Kelley. "So it's really important for us to be trained and be aware." O'Kelley appreciated that the training also covered laws that would protect staff in the event of reporting a situation that turns out not to be a crime.
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Burnett named president of High Point CVB
Melody Burnett has been named president of the High Point CVB. She takes over the position from Tim Mabe, who announced his retirement, effective Oct. 1. Burnett may be contacted at (336) 884-5255 or via mburnett@highpoint.org. |
'5 Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina'
Last month, BudgetTravel.com offered "5 Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina." Suggestions included Experience Art, highlighting the arts scene; Eat Your Heart Out by sampling local favorites; Have Some Fun with fun activities; Step Into History with notable attractions; and Get Outside, spotlighting parks and other green spaces. |
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21c Museum Hotel Durham among '5 New Standout Hotels in American College Towns'
The New York Times include the 21c Museum Hotel Durham in its "5 New Standout Hotels in American College Towns." The article explained of the 21c, in part, "The original Hill Building, an Art Deco skyscraper completed in 1937, was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, better known for having designed the Empire State Building. (In the basement, cocktails are served against a backdrop of shiny metal safe deposit boxes in The Vault, a holdover from its days as a bank.) Less than a 10-minute drive from Duke University, the hotel collaborates with the school on social and charity events and draws a fairly international crowd. It's primarily a museum, free and open to the public, with revolving shows, a permanent collection and more than 10,500 square feet of exhibition space. Original work also hangs in the 125 minimalist rooms, which were designed by Deborah Berke Partners and are stocked with Nespresso machines and Malin+Goetz toiletries. Pack a mat for "Yoga With Art" sessions among the sculptures, paintings and photographs on weekends." |
October brings the 'Annual Mountain Issue'
The October issue of Our State magazine brings the "Annual Mountain Issue." "Downtown" visits Wilkesboro; "Restaurant" features Village Diner in Hillsborough; Farm Tour" highlights Montgomery Sheep Farm in Biscoe; and "Short & Sweet" tempts with Burney's Sweets & More in Elizabethtown. The October issue is available now. |
Surveys, Industry, Marketing & Travel Trends A bed, a bath and a whiff of jasmine: Hotels try to lure customers with signature scents - Once contained to the hotel spa, aromatherapy has bloomed into a branding device and sensory amenity for lodgings from motel chains to the Ritz-Carlton, reports The Washington Post. By creating or choosing a distinctive scent to distill throughout their properties, hoteliers are betting you'll fondly recall your stay and book there again. "There are more hotels than ever, and increasing competition from Airbnb," says a business and marketing director at an "olfactive branding company" that blends fragrances for hospitality groups. "All the hotels are trying to one-up each other and make staying there a whole experience. And scent is a big part of that." The space-scenting trend originated in beauty and wellness businesses (spas, yoga studios, salons) decades ago. It's now spritzing into hotels, a practice that started in the mid-2000s at high-end properties and is now trickling down to bargain brands. (Both Best Western and Holiday Inn Express are now scented.) Still, don't expect to spot those reed-stick scent diffusers on the concierge desk. Most hotels use what's called cold air diffusion, essentially a nebulizer that converts cool air and scented oil into a fine mist. It's attached to the HVAC system or, in older properties, vaporized out of a stand-alone unit. While the olfactory signature might also star in the shampoo in the guest rooms or a linen spray for sheets and towels, the aromas aren't generally present in guest room air; that's considered overkill for clients who might be sensitive or scent-averse. Hotels make room for honeybee colonies to create buzz about at-risk pollinators - If you spot a pair of beekeepers in the elevator of the Radisson Blu hotel in Bloomington, Minn., don't be alarmed, reports The Washington Post. There's no infestation; it's just business as usual for the hotel and a growing number of properties around the globe. Behind the bee veils at the Radisson Blu you'll find a University of Minnesota Bee Squad program manager tending to hives on the rooftop and collecting data on the resident honeybees with other members of her team. The hotel belongs to the Bee Network, individual and corporate properties that partner with the Bee Squad to host on-site apiaries across the Twin Cities. Radisson Blu's aim is not to collect honey - though it does so when honey is available, and infuses it into the food and drinks at its grill and bar and into skin-care products for in-room relaxation packages. The purpose of putting beehives atop the hotel is to support bee research and bring attention to a larger issue: the importance of pollinators and the threats they face. Although guests aren't permitted on the rooftop, Radisson and the Bee Squad occasionally bring a few resident bees to the lobby and bar to assist with on-site events that spark important conservation conversations with its global guests - such as "Honey Bee Helper" demonstrations to introduce guests to the honey-making process; and "Bee Happy Hour" featuring special rooftop honey-inspired menu items, with the Bee Squad on hand to answer questions. |
Restoring furnishings saves money, protects the environment
A few years ago, Green Lodging News offered "Extending the Life of Furniture Has Many Benefits." The article noted the positive financial and environmental impacts of refurbishing furniture, as replacing such assets can be expensive. However, hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, historic attractions and other tourism-oriented businesses can save a significant amount of money by having their furnishings restored. On average, businesses can save 70 - 95 percent compared to the cost of replacing furnishings, simply by having those furnishings refinished, reupholstered and refurbished. Many businesses, particularly historic hotels and historic homes, are choosing to not only have their furniture restored, but also doors, antique woodwork and stairways. Most commercial refinishers offer non-toxic, non-flammable, odorless and environmentally safe finishes. Having furnishings restored on-site or locally not only saves money for the business, but it protects the environment by preventing the landfill disposal of old furnishings and avoids the impacts of manufacturing and transporting new furniture. For information about furniture restoration and other environmental impacts in the tourism industry, contact NC GreenTravel Initiative program manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | "North Carolina Weekend" kicks off its 17th season with this week's episode. The season premiere looks at how Marion has rejuvenated its downtown. Test your mettle with a ghost-friendly tour with Haunted Goldsborough in Goldsboro. Check out the House of Pickleball sports facility in Leland. And the "House Special" samples the fare at S&T's Soda Shoppe in Pittsboro. (Check local listings for program schedule; 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. | In 2018, the average travel party size for all North Carolina visitor parties was 2.2. Thirty percent of travel parties to the state included children in the party. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Visitor Profile Studies,or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
Oct. 29-30 - Civil War Trails Meeting, Charleston, W.V. Nov. 7-8 - AENC Fall Conference, Cary Nov. 19 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary Dec. 12 - AENC Annual Showcase, Raleigh |
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