Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, September 21, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

* Visit NC’s next monthly webinar focuses on

assets for tourism-related businesses

* Visit NC’s TRAC in Ocracoke Oct. 13

* Visit NC PR efforts bring success

* There’s still time to advertise in 2023 NC Travel Guide; space closes next week

Visit NC’s next monthly webinar focuses on assets for tourism-related businesses

For its next monthly webinar, Visit NC has invited representatives from the N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association, as well as the EDPNC's Small Business Advisors, to talk about assets available through both organizations that may be of benefit to DMOs’ local partners and tourism-related businesses. The webinar will be at 10 a.m. on Oct. 13. Click here to register.

Visit NC’s TRAC in Ocracoke Oct. 13

On Oct. 13, tourism-related businesses in Hyde County – and surrounding counties – will have an opportunity to meet with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about the organization’s research, marketing, public relations, international tourism, sports, RetireNC and Outdoor NC programs, and other services. Visit North Carolina's Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) will be held 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Berkley Manor at 58 Water Plant Rd. in Ocracoke.

TRAC brings Visit North Carolina's program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners. There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there is no formatted presentation. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event.

Representatives from the EDPNC's Business Services, N.C. Welcome Centers/Visitor Services, N.C. State Parks, and Agritourism are generally on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact Visit NC's André Nabors at (919) 447-7771.

Visit NC PR efforts bring coverage for several N.C. museums

Five North Carolina museums are highlighted in the fall issue of GoEscape magazine’s Florida & Southeast edition as a result of efforts by Visit NC’s PR team and destination partners. “Small-Town Touring: Quirky Attractions Abound in North Carolina” features photos and text about the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, Brady C. Jefcoat Museum in Murfreesboro, Country Doctor Museum in Bailey and Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield. The attractions are among those the PR team pitched to the writer as she developed the concept. Partners provided the images for GoEscape, a premium magazine published by USA Today, which has a circulation of 1.6 million.

Visit NC PR-organized visit draws OBX, Edenton coverage in Canada

Montreal-based Espaces magazine featured a kayak trip at the Outer Banks plus an outing in Edenton as the cover story of its fall edition, thanks to a trip organized by Visit NC’s PR team with support from the Outer Banks VB and Visit Edenton. Under a headline that translates to “On the water in the Outer Banks,” the article described Roanoke Island, Nags Head Wood Preserve, Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge as “a wonderful playground for beginner kayakers … in a region renowned for wild nature, picturesque towns and beautiful lighthouses.” The writer also recommended paddling the waters along the Edenton waterfront as an added treat. The magazine’s circulation is 85,000; the anticipated publication in the online edition will add 179,000 unique monthly visitors to the reach. View the French language article here.

There’s still time to advertise in 2023 NC Travel Guide; space closes next week

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to advertise in the 2023 North Carolina Travel Guide, as the deadline closes next week on Thursday, Sept 29. The guide is Visit North Carolina's popular fulfillment piece for visitors to and within the state. The N.C. Travel Guide is available at the state's nine Welcome Centers, Visitor Centers, via the 1-800-VISIT NC Call Center, and VisitNC.com, and distributed at targeted travel- and media-related shows; plus, it is also available for distribution by any tourism-related business as an informational piece.

The readers are inspired by the guide – with 87 percent of readers saying it inspired them to take or plan a trip to North Carolina. And 64 percent save the guide to reference later.

Opportunities start at $500. View the 2023 N.C. Travel Guide Media Kit information onVisit NC’s Partners website. For more information, contact Regional Sales Director Stacey Rosseter at (678) 571-7445.

North Carolina promoted at D.C. area expo

Visit NC's André Nabors, along with partners from Edenton, Johnston County and New Bern, promoted North Carolina as a retirement destination at the Ideal-Living Resort & Retirement Expo in McLean, Va., outside Washington, D.C., this past weekend. The Expo drew more than 600 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 Carteret County, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Jamestown/High Point, Johnston County, Laurinburg, Lenoir, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, New Bern, Reidsville, Roanoke Rapids, Salisbury, Tarboro, Washington, and Winterville. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program or Visit North Carolina's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contactAndre Nabors at (919) 447-7771.

Cashiers among the ‘Best Small Towns for a Fall Getaway’

Travel + Leisure included Cashiers among its “Best Small Towns for a Fall Getaway.” The online article noted, in part, “Located in western North Carolina's Jackson County… Cashiers is [where] visitors come to enjoy the mild weather, hiking trails, waterfalls, boating, golf, and outdoor activities. Town life centers around The Village Green, a 13.2 acre park offering botanical gardens, art displays, walking paths, and seasonal events. Fall weather is mild, and leaf peepers who visit to witness the vibrant fall colors get a special treat with the nearby "Shadow of the Bear," when, for just 30 minutes a day, the shadows creep over the mountains and form the shape of a bear.”

‘North Carolina Weekend’

For the week of Sept. 22, "North Carolina Weekend” features “Memory Makers,” which initially aired July 28. Featured segments include a weekend in Tryon; Old Armor Beer Company in Kannapolis; and The Brooklyn Collective in Charlotte. (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. 

Upcoming industry meetings & events

through Sept. 22 – Blue Ridge Parkway Assn. Fall Meeting, Bristol, Tenn.

Oct. 1-8 – Cycle NC Mountains to Coast Ride

Oct. 13 – Visit NC monthly webinar: Assets for Tourism-related Businesses

Oct. 13 – Visit NC TRAC, Ocracoke

Oct. 17-19 – N.C. Recreation & Parks Assn.Conference, Greenville

Oct. 24-27 – TEAMS Conference, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Nov. 7-9 -World Travel Market, London

Nov. 8 – Visit NC monthly webinar: Year of the Trail and other NCDNCR Initiatives in 2023

Nov. 13-16 - NTA Travel Exchange, Reno, Nev.

Nov. 17 – Visit NC TRAC, Old Fort

Nov. 27-30 - Travel South International Showcase, Louisville, Ky.