JLL and Visit Raleigh asking residents for input, give update on the planning process
 

Raleigh, N.C. (Dec. 14, 2017) – In August 2017, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB), also known as Visit Raleigh, began the year-long process to define Wake County’s future as a premier tourism destination to drive additional overnight visitors and create a Destination Strategic Plan for the county to accomplish that goal. Since that time, under the directional guidance of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), the GRCVB team has plotted out various steps to understand the true opportunities and needs facing Wake County as a tourism destination. The process thus far has involved surveying 380 different stakeholders and interviews with nearly 60 different community groups. Now the GRCVB needs the input of the Wake County residents via an online survey, which will remain live through January 31, 2018.

More Information on the Resident Survey:

By completing the five-minute survey, county residents will provide valuable input on the future of the area as it grows into a more vibrant visitor destination. As a thank you, residents who complete the survey can also be registered to win two great staycations, one in downtown Raleigh and the other in historic downtown Cary. The survey can be found at WakeCountyDSP.com/local.

JLL’s Global Tourism Director Dan Fenton acknowledged the importance of resident input by saying “No destination can achieve transformative results without engaging its numerous constituencies. The role and support of the local community is vital to the future of Wake County as a visitor destination.”

More Background, Update on the Wake County Destination Strategic Plan:

GRCVB President and CEO Dennis Edwards stated at the organization’s annual meeting back in August “Wake County will be one of the premier tourist destinations in the Southeast, attracting major national and international conventions and sporting events, bringing leisure visitors from all over the country and world.”

This vision setting quote from the leader of Raleigh’s destination marketing organization provided Wake County with a challenge. The vision was clear, but the path on how to achieve this vision was murky at best. In order to gather the necessary input, JLL needed to facilitate input from a broad audience of Wake County residents and from the multitude of visitors traveling to Raleigh and Wake County.

The individuals, businesses and organizations that depend on tourism were first contacted for input. These “stakeholders” were asked to provide their thoughts on the key attributes of the area that could attract visitors and aspects of the destination that needed improvement. In total, 380 different stakeholders representing every community in Wake County completed the survey that will help guide the strategic plan.

Additionally, the JLL team began directly engaging numerous organizations to gather input, testimonials and personal accounts of the possible directions for the county’s rapidly growing tourism industry. Input on air service, convention business, development options and visitor engagement were collected through interviews with nearly 60 different groups throughout the county.

After the resident survey closes at the end of January the planning process will continue into the summer of 2018 with the Wake County’s Destination Strategic Plan being unveiled to the public at the GRCVB’s annual meeting on August 16, 2018. The research conducted provides valuable insight on needed investments, future development and destination direction to pursue greater results throughout the next ten years. Ultimately this work will guide Wake County into a bold future as a highly competitive destination for visitors of all types.

Those wishing to share input and get involved in the planning process can do so by visiting WakeCountyDSP.com. To remain informed on the progress and outcomes of the plan are encouraged to subscribe to the GRCVB's Tourism Talk Blog.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. A Fortune 500 company, JLL helps real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. In 2016, JLL had revenue of $6.8 billion and fee revenue of $5.8 billion and, on behalf of clients, managed 4.4 billion square feet, or 409 million square meters, and completed sales acquisitions and finance transactions of approximately $145 billion. At the end of the second quarter of 2017, JLL had nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of nearly 80,000. As of June 30, 2017, LaSalle Investment Management has $57.6 billion of real estate under asset management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit JLL.com.

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB)

The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB), as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable economic growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes more than 15 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.4 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 25,535 local jobs in Wake County and generates more than $242 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $663 in taxes annually. VisitRaleigh.com.

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Media Contacts: 
Scott Peacock, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau

Director of Public Relations
(919) 645-2676
speacock@visitRaleigh.com