Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, September 15, 2021 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC launches ‘Halloween Kills/ Vaccines Save’ Campaign * Visit NC webinar focusing on Meetings & Conventions recovery next Wednesday * PR efforts lead to Blowing Rock among 'Scenic Fall Foliage Trips ’ * N.C.-filmed movie, TV series set to debut |
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Visit NC launches ‘Halloween Kills/Vaccines Save’ campaign Exclusive screenings of the N.C.-filmed movie “Halloween Kills,” a coastal getaway for two and other prizes will reward horror fans in a new sweepstakes from Visit North Carolina that encourages people to get a COVID-19 vaccine and celebrates the film’s Oct. 15 release. The sweepstakes is Visit NC’s latest push in an award-winning effort to drive recovery from the pandemic. “The release of ‘Halloween Kills’ creates an opportunity to encourage vaccine uptake while calling attention to North Carolina’s role as a film industry favorite,” said Visit NC's Wit Tuttell. “Amid all the challenges posed by the pandemic, we’re gratified by the opportunities we’ve been able to seize as we summon our strengths. That goes for our ability to meet the needs of filmmakers investing in our state’s economy and also for our ability as individuals to band together in our fight against COVID-19.” Laurie Strode, the character who propelled Jamie Lee Curtis to stardom with the original “Halloween” (1978), is among the latest names from the horror genre to create a screen presence in North Carolina. The “Scream” team recently filmed a new installment in Wilmington, which also hosted production for “The Black Phone” (“Scream” hits the screen Jan. 14; “The Black Phone” rings Jan. 28). “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997), “The Conjuring” (2013) and the “Sleepy Hollow” series (2013) filmed in the Wilmington-Southport area, and other horror projects appear further west on the North Carolina map: “Cabin Fever” (2002) in Danbury, “Hannibal” (2001) in Asheville and “Evil Dead II” (1987) in Wadesboro, among others. |
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Visit NC webinar focusing on Meetings & Conventions recovery next Wednesday Visit NC is hosting a free webinar focusing on Meetings & Conventions next Wednesday(Sept. 22) at 10 a.m. Research has never been more critical to guiding Visit North Carolina’s decision-making than it is now. While the travel industry has been hardest hit by the pandemic, the meetings industry segment has taken the biggest hit. The recovery of this market is key to the overall tourism recovery in N.C. MMGY Global’s Chris Davidson will provide the most up-to-date results of its current Meetings & Conventions Industry study. In addition, David Blansfield from Northstar Meetings Group will share data from their Planner Pulse survey. The webinar will be recorded for later availability. Clickhere to register. |
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Visit NC PR efforts lead to Blowing Rock among ‘13 Scenic Fall Foliage Trips That Aren't in New England’ Due to the pitching efforts of Visit NC’s PR team, Condé Nast Traveler included Blowing Rock among its “13 Scenic Fall Foliage Trips That Aren't in New England.” The online article explained, “From its perch on the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, the picturesque mountain village of Blowing Rock is known for spectacular vistas—including from its namesake cliff, which hangs over Johns River Gorge. It’s no surprise this town is nicknamed “Crown of the Blue Ridge.” The trees you'll find here vary depending on elevation, but expect to see dogwood, sourwood, and blackgum trees beginning to turn deep red by late September. In downtown Blowing Rock, everything from hiking and zip line tours to wine tastings and shopping are on offer. Spend the night at the historic Chetola Resort which occupies a 67-acre property with a lake, ample trails for hiking, and the Chetola Sporting Reserve—the perfect launchpad for observing local fall colors.” |
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'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' opens in theaters this weekend The N.C.-filmed feature “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” hits theaters this weekend after premiering at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival earlier this week. Starring Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain, the film is an intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. Production on film took place in 2019 in the greater Charlotte area and was expected to have a direct in-state spend in excess of $14 million. The film was also selected to receive a rebate for their in-state spending via the N.C. Film and Entertainment Grant. Click here to see the official trailer for the feature. |
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N.C.-filmed TV series “Our Kind of People” debuts Tuesday on Fox The N.C.-filmed series “Our Kind of People” will make its debut on Fox next Tuesday (Sept. 21) on Fox. Named one of Variety’s “most anticipated new fall 2021 TV shows” the series hails from executive producer Lee Daniels and is the story of a single mom who risks it all and moves her family to a vineyard with hopes of taking her natural hair care line to the next level by infiltrating the African American elite in one community. Production on Season 1 of the series is still ongoing and expected to last through November. The series was selected to receive an award from the N.C. Film and Entertainment Grant and is expected to have a direct in-state spend in excess of $48 million while filming Season 1. Clickhere to see a preview of the new series. |
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'U.S. Civil Rights Trail Book' AR experience launches at ICRCM Visit NC’s André Nabors and Wit Tuttell were in Greensboro last week to celebrate the launch of “The Official U.S. Civil Rights Trail Book” augmented reality (AR) experience at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. In brief remarks, Nabors highlighted the importance of North Carolina's rich civil rights history to residents and travelers alike. He said the U.S. Civil Rights Trail recognizes and preserves landmarks like the Woolworth Counter. Nabors also expressed gratitude for working with author Lee Sentell and other state tourism departments to ensure North Carolina’s representation. Speakers included the Museum’s co-founder Earl Jones and Brenda James, a local civil rights foot soldier who played a pivotal role in the historic Greensboro sit-ins. Students from several area schools were also in attendance. |
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NC Festival & Events attendees learn about Visit NC recovery efforts Visit NC's Heidi Walters spoke at the N.C. Festivals & Events meeting last week in Wilson. Walters gave an overview of Visit NC and also discussed the various ways Visit NC has communicated to visitors and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Research shows appeal of business, convention travel rising The appeal of out-of-state business trips and convention travel has improved among American travelers relative to early 2021, reports Destination Analysts. Nearly half (46 percent) of employed American travelers say they would be happy to take an out-of-state business trip in the next six months, up from 40 percent in April. The appeal of attending in-person meetings has also risen slightly since April. Forty percent of American travelers say they would be happy to attend an in-person meeting as compared to 38 percent in April. About 20 percent of employed Americans say that they will attend a convention, conference or other group meeting sometime in the remainder of 2021, with most trips planned for October. However, even with the more positive sentiment as compared to earlier in the year, about 17 percent say that they have cancelled an upcoming meeting/conference/convention due to the Delta variant and another 6 percent are considering cancelling. |
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Most residents are neutral about meetings or conventions being held in their home communities, and the level of those who would be unhappy with a meeting in their home town has decreased significantly since April. About 19 percent now say they would be unhappy, as compared to 36 percent in April. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. For more information on the meetings and convention sentiment and thoughts of meeting planners, register for the Visit NC webinar on Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. Speakers will include Chris Davidson from MMGY and David Blansfield from Northstar Meetings Group. |
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N.C. sites, destinations among World's Best winners Travel + Leisure has announced the winners of its World's Best Awards 2021 and several N.C. sites and destinations are recognized. Among the Top 15 Resort Hotels in the South, Half-Mile Farm in Highlands ranked #2, The Swag in Waynesville #3, Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands #5, The Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway #14, and Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro #15. Of the Top 15 Domestic Spas, Westglow Resort & Spa in Blowing Rock was #14. Asheville ranked #15 among the Top 15 Cities in the U.S. The Outer Banks was #14 among the Top 15 Islands in the Continental U.S. Of the “Top 25 National Parks in America,” Great Smoky Mountains ranked #8. This year marked the 26th edition of the magazine's annual poll, which is the result of T+L readers casting their votes for the hotels, destinations and companies that define the very best in travel. |
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Brookshire named next executive director for Lexington TA Morgan Brookshire has been named the next executive director for the Lexington TA. Effective Sept. 13, Brookshire will work with outgoing executive director Robin Bivens until Bivens retires Dec. 17. Brookshire may be contacted at (336) 236-4218 or via mbrookshire@visitlexingtonnc.com. |
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Layden new director for Perquimans County TDA
Stacey Layden is the new tourism director for Perquimans County TDA. She may be contacted at (910) 409-8021 or via tourismdirector@visitperquimans.com. In addition, the TDA is moving offices to 104 Dobbs St. in Hertford (27944). |
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3 N.C. barbecues sites among ‘Best New Barbecue Joints in the South’ Southern Living included three barbecue sites in the state in its “The Best New Barbecue Joints in the South.” Of Jon G’s in Peachland, the online article explained, in part, “It's barbecue worth waiting for. Garren Kirkman cooks brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey, and pork shoulders on a big J&R Oysler rotisserie, and the meats are all sliced to order at the counter and piled high onto paper-lined trays. With a tangy, peppery bark and a juicy jacket of fat, the brisket is as good as any in the Carolinas and would certainly hold its own in Texas. Even better are the spareribs—smoky, meaty, and chewy beneath a touch of sweet glaze.” Of Lawrence Barbecue in Durham, the article noted, in part, “[Owner Jake Wood] cooks some pretty impressive brisket, with a juicy fat cap and a salty, tangy bark. Also notable are the "BBQ oysters"—six fresh North Carolina beauties topped with a sweet, brown sugar-laced butter and crumbles of cotija cheese and grilled till slightly charred. The restaurant's Instagram feed announces a steady parade of daily specials that incorporate smoked meats into an array of inventive combinations.” And, of Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, the article said, in part, “The menu reflects [owner Christopher] Prieto's roots, for he was born and raised in Bryan, Texas, to parents originally from Puerto Rico. His brisket has a perfect peppery bark, and the meat underneath is splendidly juicy while still having a nice chew to it. There's a great firm texture on the pork ribs, too, and they're infused with smoke and have delightful bits of black pepper and caramelized sugar speckling the exterior. The real sleeper, though, is Prieto's barbecue rice, which he makes using his mother's Puerto Rican method. grilled till slightly charred. The restaurant's Instagram feed announces a steady parade of daily specials that incorporate smoked meats into an array of inventive combinations. |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Sept. 9, "North Carolina Weekend" repeats its May 20 episode, which showcased the coffee scene in the state. Segments feature Zuma Coffee in Marshall; Richard's Coffee Shop in Mooresville; Lorraine's Coffee & Café in Garner; Vortex Donuts in Asheville; and Esteamed Coffee in Cary. (Check local listings for schedule; segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, PBS North Carolina has recent editions of "North Carolina Weekend" available online. |
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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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NewsLink is a publication of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1200, Raleigh, NC 27601 |
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