| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | September 19, 2018 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC efforts regarding Hurricane Florence * #CAREolinas for everyone
* Tomorrow's Chapel Hill Mid-Year Marketing Update postponed
|
|
Visit NC efforts regarding Hurricane Florence Throughout the storm situation with Hurricane Florence 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 five days during this statewide emergency. The Call Center operators attended to more than three times a normal week's call volume. The Visit NC staff worked with N.C. Emergency Management and partners throughout the state to keep travelers informed of available lodging and road conditions. Starting Thursday (tomorrow) at 6 a.m., the Call Center is slated to start operating on a 24-hour basis, due to the anticipated increase in calls for information and assistance. Visit NC 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. Visit NC is continuing its regular advertising program to project a positive image of North Carolina to targeted potential visitors, but is shifting many of the creative elements to be sensitive to the recovery efforts underway. It will continue to share positive stories that showcase the fact that many areas of the state are open and welcoming visitors. Visit NC has re-tooled its fall campaign, which will kick-off next week, bringing new opportunities to get a completely different North Carolina message out in the media. It is also developing complimentary partner programs for partners in impacted areas to jumpstart their marketing efforts once they are ready to begin hosting visitors again. Visit NC also developed the CAREolinas hashtag to generate and capture positive news about the state and help develop support from its key markets. |
 | |
Visit NC created the #CAREolinas campaign as a shared message of support from Visit North Carolina and Discover South Carolina, and our communities, visitors and residents. #CAREolinas is a unifying movement to help connect and amplify recovery efforts across these two states. Visit NC has been heartened by the way people from across North Carolina are stepping up to provide assistance. It sees these "CAREolinians" extending hospitality to those in need, mobilizing relief efforts and leading with compassion. Those actions inspire everyone to tap the resilience needed to rebound, rebuild and move forward, just as North Carolinians have always done with these storms. - Tagging relevant social media posts with #CAREolinas to share the indomitable spirit of the Carolinas as everyone recovers from this storm and its aftermath.
- Sharing volunteer opportunities and positive stories of recovery in affected areas.
- Posting available resources and accessibility updates for their area
- Scanning for "in search of" posts from people and organizations to see if there's somewhere to help connect resources and help create support and great stories
- Donating directly to each state's official Florence relief funds, with links to both on CAREolinas.com.
- Purchasing a #CAREolinas t-shirt, produced in partnership with Recover Brands. All net proceeds go to storm recovery via the official disaster relief funds equally across both Carolinas. Recover is based in Charlotte and has printing operations in Spartanburg, S.C. Nearly 7,000 shirts have been sold to date.
|
Tomorrow's Chapel Hill Mid-Year Marketing Update postponed The regional Mid-Year Marketing Update session scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) has been postponed. VisitNC recognizes that many of its partners across the state may still be dealing with the impact of Hurricane Florence during this timeframe. The two mountain regional sessions are still available to attend. Registration is open to all tourism-related businesses who are interested in attending any of the remaining five, free sessions, which will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sites and dates for the remaining sessions are: Sept. 25 - Wilkesboro Sept. 26 - Lake Junaluska This year's fall meeting is a return to the Mid-Year Marketing Update, showing attendees Visit NC's current marketing programs and co-op initiatives, and programmatic updates from marketing, film and partner and industry relations. Visit NC seeks to gain insight from members of the N.C. tourism industry to help fuel its strategic planning. In addition, Visit NC is interested in hearing from tourism businesses and DMOs about their initiatives, concerns and upcoming large events/ |
| | | A previous TRAC in Mars Hill |
TRAC coming to Sanford/Lee County region Oct. 11 OnOct. 11, tourism-related businesses in Sanford and Lee County - plus the surrounding counties - will have an opportunity to work with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about its research, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices in reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit North Carolina's Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) is a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses. TRAC will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, located at 1801 Nash St. in Sanford. There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there is no PowerPoint presentation. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you'd-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. 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. Representatives from the EDPNC's BLNC, N.C. Welcome Centers/Visitor Services, N.C. State Parks, Agritourism, and NC GreenTravel are often 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 André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
Transylvania County TDA new branding includes new website, logo The Transylvania County TDA last week unveiled new branding, which includes a new website, ExploreBrevard. "For almost 100 years, we've used 'Land of Waterfalls' in our branding," said Clark Lovelace with the TCTDA. "The new brand continues that tradition, but we've moved 'Brevard' to the forefront, in part because we've learned through research that an overwhelming majority of visitors refer to us that way." TCTDA will continue to promote all of Transylvania County in its marketing, including the area waterfalls and communities, plus state and national parks and forests. As part of the new branding, staff emails will change to first name@explorebrevard.com. |
The challenges of recycling Despite having a simple message, many recycling programs can be confusing and difficult for recyclers to understand. What plastic is recyclable, can empty pizza boxes be recycled, and does green glass have to be separated from clear glass? These common questions can lead would-be recyclers straight to the trash bins. The best way to encourage recycling is to make it simple and easy for customers, guests and staff to follow. Consider using bins fitted with specialized slots designated for proper material, implementing commingled recycling or developing materials to help inform customers and staff about your recycling program. It is also helpful to monitor your recycling program to ensure it is working properly. For more information on creating a successful recycle program, contact your local waste reduction contact, or contact NC GreenTravel Initiative manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of Sept. 20 on North Carolina Weekend, the program continues its new schedule that will preview the format for the new season, which starts in October. North Carolina Weekend will run 8 episodes, one each week, and then repeat those episodes for the next 8 weeks. So this week's episode is a repeat of the one that ran the week of July 19. It will feature paddling in Washington and Beaufort County, Barley Labs in Durham, Roots & Fruits Market in Black Mountain, Sunset Ridge Buffalo Farm in Roxboro, and Mountain Brook Lodge & Cottages in Sylva. (Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North Carolina Weekend available online. | Ninety-two percent of overnight visitors to North Carolina in 2017 were either very or extremely satisfied with their visit. Both resident and out-of-state visitors express high satisfaction with their visits to and within North Carolina. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit the Visitor Profile Studies, or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
|
Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
Through Sept. 20 - BRPA Regional Fall Meeting, Lynchburg, Va. Sept. 20-21 - MPI-CC XChange, Charlotte Sept. 25 - Visit NC's Mid-Year Marketing Update, Wilkesboro Sept. 26 - Visit NC's Mid-Year Marketing Update, Lake Junaluska Oct. 1-4 - TEAMS Conference & Expo, Louisville, Ky. Oct. 11 - Visit NC's TRAC, Sanford Oct. 18-19 - AENC Fall Conference, Durham Oct. 29-30 - NC TIA Leadership Conference, Winston-Salem Nov. 6 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, TBD Nov. 8-9 - MPI-CC Meeting, Spartanburg, S.C. Nov. 15 - NC Coast Host Quarterly Meeting, Currituck |
|
|
|
|
