Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, September 28, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

* Visit NC monitoring Hurricane Ian

* Visit NC’s next webinar focuses on

tourism-related business assets

* Visit NC’s TRAC coming to Ocracoke Oct. 13

* 'Welcome to Flatch’ debuts Season 2 tomorrow

Visit NC monitoring Hurricane Ian

With rainfall and wind associated with Hurricane Ian expected to impact North Carolina in the coming days, Visit NC is on alert to ensure the safety of our visitors and to support those evacuating from points south. The Visit NC team is engaged with N.C. Emergency Management to stay abreast of expected impacts from the storm.

Via the travel advisory on VisitNC.com, visitors and evacuees are directed to remain alert to the dangers of changing weather and exercise extreme caution where there is water on the roadway. Use ReadyNCfor real-time information regarding local weather, road conditions, power outages, flooding and evacuations, and use DriveNC for additional details on road conditions and closures. NCDOT also offers safety tips for driving in wet weather. The webpage will be updated regularly. The webpage will be updated regularly.

The Visit North Carolina Call Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and will extend hours as appropriate. Operators will offer the latest information on available accommodations and updates for travelers at 1-800-VISITNC (800-847-4862) including those needing special accommodations. Real-time assistance is also available at theN.C. Welcome Centers, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Visit NC’s next webinar focuses on tourism-related business assets

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 coming to 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.

‘Welcome to Flatch’ debuts Season 2 tomorrow

Season 2 of “Welcome to Flatch” is slated to premiere tomorrow (Thursday) on Fox. The mockumentary series has a documentary crew go to a small town to study young adults and their current concerns. Production activity on the project has been taking place in Pender and New Hanover counties, with production expected to wrap up next month. Both the first and second seasons of "Welcome to Flatch" were approved for N.C. Film and Entertainment Grants. Season 1 was expected to have an estimated direct in-state spend around $32 million.

In the article "Star of Fox comedy 'Welcome to Flatch' talks working in Burgaw, playing in Wilmington," actor Sam Straley was interviewed about his experiences working on the docu-comedy and about filming in the Wilmington region. Of shooting in Wilmington, and especially in Burgaw, "As an actor, it's the best. 'What does this feel like?' That's all taken care of you when you're filming in a small town, in the real place. I love that. (It's) immersive," Straley said. The "family dynamic," as he called it, of Wilmington's experienced film crews have also made an impression on the young actor. "They've been working on the same things forever," Straley said. "There's a real history and a camaraderie that you don't get on other sets."

Visit NC 365 conference helps National Forests of NC reach ornament goal

Attendees to Visit NC 365 and Outdoor NC conferences joined other North Carolinians across the state in assisting the National Forests in North Carolina reach and exceed its goal of 6,000 ornaments for the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. For six months, NFNC received more than 7,500 ornaments to adorn “The People’s Tree” on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and other trees across Washington D.C., during the 2022 holiday season. This year’s Visit NC 365 in Durham, along with the Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee, featured an ornament station at the conference where attendees could decorate an ornament for the NFNC project. Other conferences, schools, communities and civic organizations across North Carolina, as well as NFNC partner agencies and organizations, plus hundreds of members of the public all contributed to the project’s success.

Vote for N.C. sites, happenings among ‘Best of Beer’

North Carolina has several sites among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for the “Best of Beer.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Oct. 24 at noon.

Best Beer Bar – Salud Beer Shop, Charlotte

Best Beer City – Asheville; Charlotte

Best Beer Festival – Biére de Femme Festival, Charlotte; Blacktoberfest, Durham; Brewgaloo, Raleigh

Best Beer Garden – Charlotte Beer Garden, Charlotte; Funkatorium Biergarten, Asheville; Raleigh Beer Garden, Raleigh; VBGB Beer Hall & Garden, Charlotte

Best Brew Pub – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Mills River

Best Brewery Tour – New Belgium Brewing; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Best Cidery – Noble Cidery, Asheville

Best New Brewery –Funguys Brewing, Raleigh

Best Small Town Beer Scene–Boone; Bryson City

Greensboro's Magnolia House listed among Historic Hotels of America

The Historic Magnolia House has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Greensboro property is one of more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the country recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. It joins the ranks of eight other North Carolina designees. To be nominated and selected for membership into this program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; be designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and be recognized as having historic significance.

Lake Chatuge: the 'Beautiful North Carolina Lake Getaway You've Probably Never Heard Of'

Travel + Leisure featured Lake Chatuge as the “Beautiful North Carolina Lake Getaway You've Probably Never Heard Of.” The writer observes, “It’s a little-known getaway near my hometown of Hayesville, and I come to soak up some sun and enjoy the fresh air.” She explains, in part, “Lake Chatuge, constructed by the TVA in 1942, is uniquely positioned in the middle of the Georgia-North Carolina state line, so you can technically swim in two states in one day. With 132 miles of shoreline, it’s a destination that doesn't require an expensive lodge, private beach rental, or long lines to park and enter. For me, it’s a place to gather with family, catch up with old friends, or –  in this weekend’s case – relax on a solo trip.”

October brings the ‘Annual Mountain Issue’

The October issue of Our State magazine brings the Annual Mountain Issue. “Local’s Guide” visits Franklin; “Restaurant” highlights Cousins Cuban Café in Black Mountain. The October issue is available now.

‘North Carolina Weekend’

For the week of Sept. 29, "North Carolina Weekend” features “Autumn Adventures,” which initially aired last October. Featured segments include the Charles Kuralt Trail, basing the story in Manteo; Armstrong Artisan Farm in Walnut Cove; Summerfield Farms in Summerfield; the Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass; Lake Chatuge in Hayesville; and Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck. (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

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

Oct. 13 – Visit NC monthly webinar: Tourism Business Assets

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.