| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | September 11, 2019 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Partners inspire North Carolina-based media at Raleigh Media Mission
* Visit NC efforts regarding Hurricane Florence
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Partners inspire North Carolina-based media at Raleigh Media Mission
Visit North Carolina's PR team and 38 partners from across the state shared their stories with media representatives from print, broadcast and digital outlets at Visit NC's annual in-state media reception Monday in Raleigh. The event drew a turnout of 38 media guests to the newly opened ballroom event space at Transfer Co. Food Hall, the newest food hall to open in Raleigh. The media mission gave media the opportunity to hear from partners about developments that should be of interest for future stories. After hearing pitches from Visit NC on a range of topics - including new attractions, the latest on the winery, distillery and brewery front, new hotels and restaurants, and below-the-radar destinations - journalists commented about having new ideas and getting much inspiration from the event. For more information about Visit NC's public relations programs, contact Eleanor Talley at (919) 447-7783. |
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Visit NC efforts regarding Hurricane Florence Throughout the storm situation with Hurricane Dorian, the Visit NC Call Center, which is managed by the N.C. Dept. of Commerce's Visitor Services staff, assisted displaced visitors and residents as well as emergency personnel to safely navigate their way through the state. The team operated non-stop for four days during this statewide emergency. The Call Center operators attended to more than 3,200 phone calls, compared to more than 1,300 for the same period last year. Visit NC staff worked with N.C. Emergency Management and partners throughout the state to keep travelers informed of available lodging and road conditions. VisitNC.com continued to offer its Hurricane Dorian Travel Advisory on the homepage until today (Wednesday), when it was moved solely to appear on the Coast region. As of today, the advisory notes that only Ocracoke and southern Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village are still under mandatory evacuation for visitors. Visit North Carolina responded to numerous media calls and worked to promote the spirit of hospitality North Carolinians show during a crisis and to amplify the positive stories of the state's recovery from the storm's effects. The N.C. Welcome Centers located on the south side of the state experienced heavier traffic assisting evacuees from Florida at first then those from the South Carolina coast traveling northbound and seeking accommodations in the N.C. mountain region. The other Welcome Centers experienced visitors driving south who changed their plans and sought accommodations until the weather was favorable and any affected roads were open again. |
HSMAI-NC learns more about Visit NC
Visit NC's Dana Grimstead spoke to HSMAI North Carolina last week during its North Carolina: State of the State meeting in Durham. Grimstead provided an update on the North Carolina tourism industry, in addition to Visit NC's continuing efforts to promote the state as a preferred destination to travelers. HSMAI's Excellence in Hospitality awards were also presented during the meeting. |
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North Carolina among the 'Most underappreciated food regions in the world, according to chefs'
North Carolina is among the "Most underappreciated food regions in the world, according to chefs," according to the Matador Network. The article noted, "The South is finally getting the recognition it deserves for food that has long been sublime, even before the rest of the country 'discovered' it... [Charlotte's Peppervine restaurant] chef Bill Greene [explained,] 'The juxtaposition of local ingredients with global influences, such as the use of North Carolina seafood and worldly flavors, is a huge part of the food culture here. Southern staples like pimento cheese take new forms like pimento cheese scones or pimento cheese focaccia - not your typical cheese spread and saltines. Restaurants in this area are also building impressive wine lists, challenging the conceptions of what you can find here.' Green recommends visiting small cities like Hickory, where restaurants like Cafe Rule and Highland Avenue 'showcase true contemporary Carolina cuisine.'" |
Person County TDA opens new visitors center, has new offices
Person County TDA has moved its offices to a new location at 705 Durham Road in Roxboro (27573). This location will also be the site of a new Visitor and Information Center for Roxboro and Person County. Phone numbers and emails remain the same. |
All charged up and going places
So a business has installed a Plug-in Vehicle charging station and is all charged up about the new customers it's going to bring in. Now, what to do? Plug-in NC offers suggestions for ways to promote a new charging station. Host a ribbon-cutting to let customers, community and the media know about the new charging station. Register the charging station on PlugShare and the Alternative Fuels Data Center so more drivers will know where to find it (and that business). Add signage to help drivers easily spot the charging station. Consider hosting an Electric Vehicle Ride-and-Drive. Visit Workplace Charging to learn about policies and guidance for installing and managing workplace charging. Add electric vehicle information to the business' website to promote driving electric vehicles and to promote that business. Educate employees about the new charging station so they can answer any questions customers may have. Offer EV discounts to electric vehicle drivers and promote the discounts on the business' website to attract more business. Track charging data to see how well the charging station is doing. Installing electric vehicle chargers can help drive traffic toward a business. With the number of electric vehicles on North Carolina roads growing steadily, having a charging station at a business may soon be a necessity. For more information, visit www.pluginnc.com or contact NC GreenTravel Manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of Sept. 12 on "North Carolina Weekend," the program repeats the episode that originally aired July 11. Segments include the folk art scene in Pittsboro, and adventures and tastings in Burke County. (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 household trip expenditure in the Piedmont Region was $511. The average household trip expenditure for overnight visitors to the Piedmont Region was $634. Daytrip parties to the Piedmont region spent approximately $211 per visit in 2018. 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
through Sept. 12 - NCTIA Tourism Leadership Conference, Concord Sept. 19-22 - NCMA (with VMA-MCASC) Regional Meeting, Winston-Salem Oct. 29-30 - Civil War Trails Meeting, Charleston, W.V. Nov. 6-8 - World Travel Market, London, U.K. Nov. 6-8 -AARC Annual Conference, Chattanooga, Tenn. Nov. 7-8 - AENC Fall Conference, Cary Nov. 19 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary |
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