Tourism Talk blog

GRCVB is opening enrollment for 2026! Tourism U, the Bureau's learning track for tourism and destination education, is ready to come to you this year and teach the value of tourism for Raleigh and Wake County. Since 2019, GRCVB has offered Tourism U to local residents, industry allies and...

It's that time of year again! GRCVB is excited to welcome partners into 2026 with another Tourism Talk Live Roundtable. If you're new to partnering with us, Tourism Talk Live is GRCVB's quarterly marketing update meeting. We share with our partners what we've been up to and how...

In July 1776 America declared its independence (though the Revolutionary War that had started in 1775 would not be fully concluded until 1783). Now 250 years later, the U.S. is embarking on a semiquincentennial celebration—with a focus on 2026 but with additional programs continuing through...

GRCVB director of sales Malinda Harrell, CMP Fellow, CASE, and national sales manager Loretta Yingling, CMP Fellow, traveled to Las Vegas, Oct. 7-9, 2025, to represent Raleigh, N.C., at IMEX America 2025. Joining them were destination partners from the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh Marriott

2025 is flying by, and we're looking forward to gathering with partners to reflect on the year in Raleigh, N.C. Please join us for our Fall Tourism Talk Live! If you're new to partnering with us, Tourism Talk Live is GRCVB's quarterly marketing update meeting. We share with our...

GRCVB continues to grow alongside Raleigh and Wake County. In the past few weeks, we have welcomed three new team members to the GRCVB staff. Get to know Emma, Davis and Hannah (pictured from left to right above)! Emma Bridges joins the Marketing and Communications Department as social media

GRCVB convention sales team members Stephen Jackson, CMP, and Loretta Yingling, CMP Fellow, traveled to Calif., Aug. 9-12, 2025, to represent our destination at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Exposition. Alongside Stephen and Loretta, industry partners...

GRCVB’s 2024-2025 Annual Report was released last week, with the online report including summaries from each of the Bureau’s departments (Convention Sales, Destination Services, Marketing and Communications, Public Relations and International Tourism, Sports Marketing, Administration...

Thurs., Aug. 21, 2025 A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts Networking hour and light breakfast: 9-10am Program: 10-11am An enormous contributor to Wake County's success and appeal as a visitor destination over the years is its culinary scene. In 2024,...

Register for GRCVB’s Annual Meeting, Thurs., Aug. 21, 2025! We have another great event planned this year with plenty of networking time and a packed program. At this Annual Meeting, we're celebrating the growth and successes of Wake County's food scene, hosting a panel of some of...