| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | October 30, 2019 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC PR team's efforts lead to Mo in the national spotlight
* Save the date for Monday's evening event at Visit NC 365 next March
* North Carolina featured on German radio
* Visit NC's Nabors presents at Civil War Trails meeting
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 | | | Mo, on Visit NC's Instagram page |
Visit NC PR team's efforts lead to Mo in the national spotlight
Due to the efforts of Visit NC's PR team by working with the writer, Mo is featured by Southern Living's "Meet Mo, North Carolina's First 'Dog Travel Agent.'" Yahoo.com also syndicated the story via its Lifestyle section. The online article explained, "If you can't imagine traveling without Fido, Visit North Carolina wants to make your travels in the Old North State a step above the rest: The state's official travel-planning destination has hired its first dog travel agent, Mo, a rescue pup from Charlotte. Selected from a pool of more than 500 candidates, Mo will offer travelers firsthand reports on DogTravelAgent.com. The sweet dog boasts nearly 40 (canine) years of 'field work' experience all around the state. In her role, Mo will provide trip and adventure ideas, and also post on Visit North Carolina's social media accounts to document her travels." |
Save the date for Monday's evening event at Visit NC 365 next March
Next year's Visit NC 365 Conference finds the return of a popular gathering: a reception for all attendees on Monday night. The 2020 Visit NC 365 will be at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, March 22-24. The Monday, March 23, event will be in the new Arts & Crafts-inspired Seely Pavilion, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This reception is in addition to the traditional opening Sunday night reception but offers a better chance for attendees to network and "catch-up" since everyone will have arrived for the conference. Registration for Visit NC 365 is now open, featuring Early-Early registration rates. |
North Carolina featured on German radio
Visit NC German office partnered with tour operator FTI to feature North Carolina in a series of radio interviews. Visit NC representative Nadine Skopp discussed attractions, food, music and natural assets from all regions of the state. The interviews ran on 10 radio stations and reached 7.8 million potential visitors. Radio is still a very important medium of communication in Germany. In 2018, North Carolina welcomed 51,200 German visitors, who spent $76 million. Germany represents the second largest market for overseas visitors to N.C. For more information about Visit NC's international marketing efforts, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762. |
Visit NC's Nabors presents at Civil War Trails meeting
Visit NC's André Nabors presented at the Civil War Trail board and partners meeting this week in Charleston, W.V. Attendees included representatives from Civil War sites, state parks, historical societies, and DMOs from the five states that participate in the program.
North Carolina is one of several state tourism offices participating in Civil War Trails, a groundbreaking tourism initiative that has installed more than 1,200 interpretive wayside markers at historic sites in North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia, with collaborative efforts to use the trails as one of the best ways to learn about the Civil War. The Civil War Trails guide is available via VisitNC.com, by request to 1-800 VISIT NC, or at North Carolina's nine Welcome Centers and many local visitor centers. For more information on N.C.'s involvement in the Civil War Trails program, contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
Kannapolis unveils baseball team new name, logo
Last week, Kannapolis officials unveiled the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the low A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The baseball team's former name was the Kannapolis Intimidators. When thinking of a new name for its team, Kannapolis baseball officials wanted to incorporate and honor the city's heritage. Kannapolis was home of Cannon Mills for more than a century. The Cannon Ballers will open their new downtown stadium at the Kannapolis Sports & Entertainment Venue on April 16. |
N.C. Folk Festival in Greensboro sees increased attendance
This year's N.C. Folk Festival in Greensboro attracted an estimated 156,000 people, an increase of about 4 percent compared to the 2018 festival. Because it's a non-ticketed event, organizers based attendance estimates on information from the city, merchandise and beverage sales, vendor reports and drone photography. September marked the second year of the N.C. Folk Festival. It spun out of the National Folk Festival's three-year residency in the city from 2015-2017. The 2019 festival also introduced two ways for people to support and enjoy the celebration: the N.C. Folk A'Fare culinary fundraiser two days before festival weekend, and The Lounge, a ticketed area.. |
New N.C. Winery Guide now available
The newest N.C. Winery Guide is now available. The updated brochure lists wineries across the state with their name, address, phone number and website. Regional maps are also included to help visitors find specific locations. Bulk orders, packaged at 200 brochures/box, are available by sending an email request, including contact information and number of boxes requested, to Teresa Smith at the Call Center. |
Proximity Hotel shines in the spotlight
NPR's "Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer" shone the spotlight on the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro and owner-partner Dennis Quaintance. The "Greensboro's Greenest Hotel" episode aired Oct. 7. Quaintance told how he came to Greensboro and how the Proximity came to be the first LEED-certified Platinum hotel, in addition to some of its other amenities. He also discussed the manufacturing influence and history in Greensboro, plus Quaintance's other property in Greensboro, the O. Henry Hotel.
Some of the additional episodes that aired earlier this month include "Honoring America's Sit-In Movement," which featured the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, and "Imagineering the Future at Greensboro, North Carolina's Battleground Park." A September episode featured "High Point, North Carolina's Renaissance."
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Biltmore among '13 Real Haunted Houses from All Over the United States'
Travel + Leisure included Biltmore among its "13 Real Haunted Houses from All Over the United States." Of the designation, the online article noted, in part, "While nothing completely nefarious seems to have happened on the estate, the home's former owners seem to remain very active, even in the afterlife. After [George] Vanderbilt died in 1914, his estate passed on to his children, who decided to open the home up to the public. That's when the activity apparently began. Visitors have claimed to hear a woman's voice, possibly Vanderbilt's wife, Edith, calling his name as well as some ghostly apparitions. The estate also features a number of hidden doors and passageways, adding to the home's overall spook-factor." |
Proximity included in '10 Stunning Hotels That Make Sustainability a Priority'
The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro was included in the Travel Channel's "10 Stunning Hotels That Make Sustainability a Priority." Of the inclusion, the online article explained, "Nestled in the picturesque city of Greensboro, North Carolina, Proximity Hotel truly puts sustainability at the forefront of everything they do. As the first hotel in America to receive the LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, this property is focused on reducing the amount of energy and water use of its guests. The hotel, which is 100 percent employee owned, supports local farmers and food vendors while also buying supplies and equipment from companies that use credibly sustainable practices." |
'The Best Wellness Retreats to Restore Your Mind, Body, and Soul' includes High Hampton Resort
Oprah magazine included High Hampton Resort in Cashiers among its "Best Wellness Retreats to Restore Your Mind, Body, and Soul." The article explained, in part, "For nearly a century, guests have ventured to this retreat to enjoy hiking, golf, tennis, swimming, paddle boarding, and croquet. To up their wellness offerings, the family-friendly resort will open a brand-new spa and pool facility in 2020, featuring services such as massages, facials, fitness classes, and personal training. More than anything, this is a place where you can truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life." |
'You Can Hike with Llamas and Drink Award-Winning Wine at This North Carolina Vineyard'
An article on EatingWell.com, that also was picked up by Travel + Leisure," noted "You Can Hike with Llamas and Drink Award-Winning Wine at This North Carolina Vineyard." The article explained, "Our latest travel discovery is located in East Bend, North Carolina, nestled on the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail near Pilot Mountain State Park, and is home to award-winning wines and llamas. Yep, you read that right - award-winning llamas! Divine Llama Vineyards is home to a llama farm and allows you to take these quirky animals hiking across the beautiful terrain. Bet you can't find that experience in Napa or Sonoma!" |
November issue offers 'Season of Smoke'
The November issue of Our State magazine offers "Season of Smoke," ranging from the Great Smoky Mountains to smoking barbecue or honey bees. "Downtown" tours Graham; "Restaurant" features Baker's Kitchen in New Bern; and "Gathering Place" visits Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Banner Elk. The November issue is available now. |
Going local with farm-to-fork dining
One of the many reasons that visitors travel to North Carolina is because of its natural and scenic landscapes, and one of the best opportunities visitors have to interact directly with the land is through local agriculture. Preserving and supporting local agriculture has many environmental benefits and is becoming an increasingly popular tourism activity. There are many opportunities to incorporate agriculture as part of an attraction or accommodation. Restaurants can complement dishes with local produce or meats. Hotels and B&Bs can partner with local farmers to offer farm tours or cooking classes with vegetables guests pick themselves. Historical sites can educate visitors about historical agriculture with small on-site gardens. NC Farm Fresh offers information on North Carolina farms that welcome visitors, farmers markets and also what is in season. For more information on local agriculture, contact Project Green Leaf, CEFS (Center for Environmental Farming Systems) and Carolina Farm Stewardship Assn. For more information on agritourism opportunities, visit NCDA&CS Marketing Division - Agritourism Office, headed by Annie Baggett at (919) 707-3120. To learn more about North Carolina's NC GreenTravel Initiative, contact Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of Oct. 31 on "North Carolina Weekend," the program repeats the episode that originally aired Aug. 29. The episode features an "oversized weekend" in Greensboro, including Print Works Bistro. (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. | In 2018, the average party size for all Mountain Region visitors was 2.2 people. Twenty-five percent of all travel parties to the region 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
Nov. 6-8 - AARC Annual Conference, Chattanooga, Tenn. Nov. 7-8 - AENC Fall Conference, Cary Nov. 8 - NC Coast Host Meeting, Lumberton Nov. 19 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Raleigh Dec. 12 - AENC Annual Showcase |
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