Welcome to the Greater Raleigh Tourism e-News … presented by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB). Please let us know about any news pertaining to Wake County's billion dollar visitor industry for possible inclusion in future issues.
IN VOLUME 2, ISSUE 11:
Last Minute Reminder: CVB Annual Luncheon on July 19
CVB Secures Seven Awards
Bureau Honors Hospitality Industry
See Raleigh in a Whole New Light
Summer Rocks in Raleigh
Raleigh Wide Open on July 29
Sales Slate
RTP selected to host 2009 IASP World Conference
Sports Comings and Goings
In the News
Reserve Space in 2007 Visitors Guide
Last Minute Reminder: CVB Annual Luncheon on July 19
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau's 19th annual luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19 at the RBC Center at 11:45 am. The keynote speaker is new N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe. The agenda features the presentation of the Thad Eure, Jr. Memorial Award and the John B. Ross, Jr. Leadership Award. Previous recipients of the Eure Award include Dr. James and Ann Goodnight of SAS Institute, James F. Goodmon of Capitol Broadcasting, Bill Cavanaugh of Progress Energy and The News & Observer. For ticket information, please contact the Bureau's director of operations Linda Bonine at 919-645-2662 or lbonine@visitraleigh.com.
CVB Secures Seven Awards
The Bureau picked up seven awards in various competitions – 10 in all for the year. It garnered four Destination Marketing Achievement accolades at the North Carolina Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus annual banquet: Platinum Award for Meeting Planners Guide (niche marketing); Gold Award for Tourism eNews (local constituent communication); Gold Award for Sports Direct Mail (destination marketing initiative); Innovation Award for Radio Promotions (community partnerships). Pictured (l-r) at the Southern Pines ceremony: Dave Heinl, Shawn Braden and Martin Armes.
It also received three Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communications at the Raleigh Public Relations Society annual banquet: Gold Award for HTML Presentation (Online Media Campaigns); Silver Award for Web Site (VisitRaleigh.com); Honorable Mention Award for Brochure (sports direct mail piece).
Bureau Honors Hospitality Industry
The Bureau recently honored outstanding individuals in the Wake County hospitality industry with two award programs at a special luncheon. The Horizon Award recognized a management-level employee who demonstrates the skills to be a future leader in the industry – Natalie Nicholas-Barnes, Operations Leader, Courtyard by Marriott Cary (pictured here).
The Isaac Hunter Excellence in Service Awards honored front-line staff for outstanding visitor service – William Judson Carson, Bartender, Glenwood Grill (Dining) and Ronald Hinson, Guest Services, Staybridge Suites RDU (Accommodations).
See Raleigh in a Whole New Light
This fall, Raleigh will be one of only three U.S. cities to host Monet in Normandy. Featuring 50 paintings from around the world, it's a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. The Bureau has teamed with the N.C. Museum of Art and numerous partners to create a French getaway experience to match. The promotion features a la carte booking options for planning a Monet getaway including exhibition tickets, French experiences all over the city (seven dining options, two cooking schools, four wine tastings, two retail events, 25 hotel special offers and a chance to win a trip to Paris). Exhibition tickets are on sale now. Learn more at VisitRaleigh.com/monet.
Summer Rocks in Raleigh
With nationally acclaimed artists, concerts and family special events, Raleigh is this summer's hottest entertainment destination in the Carolinas. But it's more than just enjoying live shows, as visitors will discover that same energy level outdoors, buzzing in the beauty of Greater Raleigh's parks and gardens. Stroll around antique shows or immerse yourself in one of the area's celebrated summer festivals. And when the heat is turned up outside, venture out to one of many shopping destinations or refresh yourself with some "edu-tainment" in the capital city's world-class museums. Summer Rocks is promoted via an online email campaign and promotional web site at VisitRaleigh.com/summer.
Raleigh Wide Open on July 29
Fayetteville Street, otherwise known as "North Carolina's Main Street," is set to reopen after more than a year of construction! The new street will add to downtown's landscape with a wide streetscape for art, outdoor dining and open space – and open the vista from the State Capitol to the Progress Energy Center.
On Saturday, July 29, the Raleigh Wide Open celebration begins with a live broadcast by Good Morning America, in front of the new ABC 11 studios, with meteorologist Marysol Castro from 7am-9am. The free evening festivities start with a grand parade that will kick off the four-block celebration with local bands, a military flyover, a beer garden, wine tasting and food from local restaurants. The event concludes with a fireworks extravaganza and a free showing of the Pink Panther at the Movies at Moore Square.
Sales Slate
For fiscal year 2005/06, the sales staff assisted in booking 194 new meetings, tradeshows and events generating more than 61,865 room nights (166% increase) and $38.8 million in economic impact (131% increase). It recently submitted formal proposals for almost $3.3 million of future business: (2009 National Genealogical Society, 2008 and 2010 American Trails and 2011 Association of Science Technology Centers).
RTP selected to host 2009 IASP World Conference
In partnership with the CVB and Raleigh Convention Center, the Research Triangle Park has been selected to organize and host the 2009 World Conference of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). This will be the first time in its 22-year history that IASP will hold an independent, international conference in the United States. The year 2009 will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of The Research Triangle Park and the 25th anniversaries of a number of Triangle area knowledge assets, including Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University. Anchored at the new Raleigh Convention Center, the conference should attract 1,000 delegates and generate $600,000 in spending and tremendous intangible benefits for the region.
Sports Comings and Goings
Raleigh was recently named the site of the 2009 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional Tournament (semifinals and finals). Four teams will play a total of three games, garnering national television exposure with the winner advancing to the Final Four. The RBC Center will host NCAA first and second action for the women in 2007 and the men in 2008.
The Bureau recently said goodbye to Angela Pratt, Sports Sales Manager. Angela has decided to hit the books again at the University of Tennessee where she will be pursuing her PhD in Public Relations. We wish her the best in all her future endeavors.
In the News
Various efforts have resulted in media coverage in national publications such as Everyday with Rachel Ray, Go Magazine – AirTran's Airways in-flight publication, Boston Globe, Cotton & Quail and Our State Magazine.
Former News & Observer journalist Geoff Edgars continues his love affair with Raleigh in the Boston Globe by saying, "There is something about Raleigh, its rhythm. Some people need the energy of New York City, with its Ethan Hawke sightings and 3 a.m. Korean food deliveries. Others need to be surrounded by trees. For us, Raleigh struck that perfect balance between big-city life and small-town charm."
The communications team attended the Public Relations Society of America Travel & Tourism Conference in Washington, D.C., having the opportunity to attend a media marketplace featuring more than 100 travel journalists.
Reserve Space in 2007 Visitors Guide
Ad sales are commencing for the 2007 Visitors Guide to Raleigh and Wake County – featuring a broad distribution of 300,000 copies. The Bureau will partner again with Our State Custom Publishing – which also produces the highly-acclaimed Our State Magazine and the Triangle Adventures Hotel Book. Many new features are planned for the 2007 edition slated to arrive in early December with ad sales running now through mid-October. For ad information, contact Chris Walker at 800-948-1409 or cwalker@ourstate.com. Other questions can be directed to Martin Armes at 919-645-2654 or marmes@visitraleigh.com.
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