Communications
INBOUND PRESS TRIPS
Emphasized "quality versus quantity" in the 2012-2013 fiscal year when hosting journalists in Greater Raleigh. The Communications Department welcomed 40 working and credentialed media to the area from publications including New York Post, O, The Oprah Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, Southern Living, CNN.com, The New York Times, Charlotte Observer, AirTran Inflight Magazine: GO! and Frommers.
ON THE ROAD
Attended the annual Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Convention, where the Raleigh area was pitched as a premier leisure, sports and meeting destination to more than 100 travel, food, lifestyle and family journalists. The department attended an invite-only media event in New York City for more than 65 national travel, lifestyle, food and arts media and a media reception and dinner in Atlanta with more than 20 Ga.-based travel, food, lifestyle and cultural journalists.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Garnered stellar media coverage of the Raleigh area as a premier leisure, meeting and sports destination this year with "big hits" including stories in New York Post, The New York Times, Southern Living, Meetings Focus, Prevue, AirTran Inflight Magazine: GO!, Smart Meetings, Associations Now and Jacksonville Magazine among many others.
NEWS RELEASES AND PRESS CONFERENCES
Wrote 20 news releases and distributed to appropriate, targeted media outlets locally, regionally and nationally. Releases focused on topics ranging from GRCVB accomplishments and initiatives to leisure marketing campaigns such as the "Music Mania" campaign. Worked hand-in-hand with members of the International Bluegrass Music Association's Media Relations Local Organizing Committee to write five press releases on the event and facilitate two press conferences. Helped Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series public relations staff plan a local press conference.
JOURNALIST OUTREACH
Proactively reached out to journalists covering a variety of segments including general travel, sports, meetings and conventions, festivals, culinary, family and outdoors while continuing to foster current media relationships. Continued to contract the services of an independent public relations practitioner to assist with proactive media initiatives targeting top-tier national media in all markets.
EDITORIAL WRITING
Wrote editorial and feature articles for marketing programs including the Official Visitors Guide to Raleigh, Cary and Wake County, marketing programs including N.C.'s inaugural Beer Month, International Bluegrass Music Association and a monthly feature column for The Rolesville Buzz, a community newspaper in northern Wake County.
PLANNER ASSISTANCE
Assisted numerous meeting and convention planners in local public relations efforts, including securing television interviews, placing feature stories and developing targeted media lists.