Annual Meeting and Luncheon with a New added value - RVCVB 101

The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (RVCVB) Annual Meeting and Luncheon will be held at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Wednesday, May 14 from 11:30am to 1:00pm. However, something NEW has been added.

After listening to members and non-members alike, it is apparent that many people and organizations are not exactly sure how the RVCVB is promoting our Valley's tourism and, more importantly, how they can be involved. To help answer these questions, the RVCVB staff and Board will hold a number of short workshops the morning of the Annual Meeting.

RVCVB 101 will be held at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center from 8:00am to 11:30am on May 14. Topics will include Convention Marketing, Sports Marketing, Leisure Marketing, Tourism Travel Trade, and Co-op and grant programs offered by the Bureau. The focus will be two-fold: 1) building new partnerships to increase tourism in the Valley, and 2) utilizing those partnerships to maximize business.

MARK Wednesday, May 14 on your calendar, watch for more information and plan on attending the workshops along with the Annual Meeting and Luncheon.

From the President's Desk

Neil Ordway - Holiday Inn Roanoke - Valley View

Politics seems to be the focus of most headlines and it is concerning to hear President Bush state, "in the short run, we can all see that (economic) growth is slowing." My question to the membership is, "how can we proactively respond to the economic slowdown in the Roanoke Valley?" What role will we play and how can we change to create a more positive outcome for the Valley?

While these questions are broad and there are certainly a vast number of options, I'd like to focus this message on one - Customer Loyalty. Each of us strives to provide excellent service to our customers every day in an effort to keep the customers coming back, which is the goal of most businesses. Marketing experts encourage businesses to develop a brand image whereby customers will recognize and develop a loyalty to that business. Brand loyalty and customer loyalty are based on the same premise - creating a memorable event or icon that will keep customers returning to your business. Fred Lee, a hospital executive that became a Disney cast member, stated, "a satisfied person has no story to tell. Everything went just as expected. It is the unexpected event that makes a stay memorable. For every loyal customer, there is usually a special story." It may be a conversation about an unforgettable dish or a hotel employee who removed snow from guests' cars. Be knowledgeable of what attracts visitors to the Valley and educate others. We can take a proactive approach to customer loyalty in the Roanoke Valley by empowering others to create memorable moments for our visitors, and praising and role-modeling those individuals who go the extra mile. Let's create customer loyalty one visitor at a time. This is one way we can make a positive change to the economic slowdown.

You can learn more about what the Valley has to offer at the next Hospitality Training Workshop on April 17th, and on our website, www.visitroanokeva.com.

The Bureau has also re-energized the CVB website over the last few months. I urge you to check it out! Thank you for supporting your Convention & Visitors Bureau. We look forward to your continued support. Let's make Spring 2008 a success!

Tourism Makes an Impact

Lodging Tax Revenues October, November and December 2006 and 2007

	2006	2007	Change	% Change
City of Roanoke	$ 753,128	$ 722,939	-$ 30,189	-4.00%
County of Roanoke	$ 217,042	$ 231,546	$ 14,504	6.68%
City of Salem	$ 197,362	$ 189,753	-$ 7,609	-3.85%
County of Botetourt	$ 75,594	$ 82,548	$ 6,954	9.19%
County of Franklin	$ 16,589	$ 14,232	-$ 2,357	-14.20%
Total Tax Revenue	$1,259,715	$1,241,018	-$ 18,697	-1.48%

Source - Local Governments

Member News

The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes our newest members: HoneyTree Early Learning Centers Old Southwest, Inc. Quality Inn - Tanglewood Sleep Inn Tanglewood For information or questions regarding membership with the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, please contact Heidi Mowry at (540) 342-6025, ext. 116. Click here to learn more about our membership benefits. The 2008 Roanoke Valley Visitors Guide is now available! As a Bureau member benefit, all members are listed in this publication and have the opportunity to purchase advertising at a discounted rate. This is just one of the many benefits of becoming a Bureau member. Convention Marketing Vickie Meeks Miller attended the 36th Annual Religious Conference Management Association's (RCMA) World Conference and Exposition held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Conference Center in Orlando Florida, February 5-8, 2008. It was a cooperative effort with the Virginia Tourism Corporation that included the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Loudoun County Convention & Visitors Association, Fairfax County Convention & Visitors Corp., Fredericksburg Department of Tourism and the Hyatt Dulles. It was a wonderful conference which included very relevant and informative education sessions, interesting keynote speakers, exciting entertainment such as Tony Orlando and a great opportunity to see many friends, old and new! Vickie plans to attend the Virginia Tourism Summit on April 21-23, 2008 at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia Vickie is looking forward to attending her first National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners Spring Conference on May 13-18, 2008 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa in Montgomery, Alabama. Vickie Meeks Miller anticipates attending the Christian Meetings & Conventions Association's (CMCA) 2008 Spring Showcase on May 20-22, 2008 at The Park Vista Hotel and Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.	2008 Visitor's Guide Vickie Meeks Miller and fellow Virginia team members Kimberly Herbert and Dean Miller at RCMA.
Tourism Marketing Catherine Fox, Tourism Director, attended the American Bus Association Marketplace and met with nearly 40 tour operators. Additonally she hosted 13 tour operators on a Pre-Familiarization tour of the Shenandoah Valley. The Roanoke Valley was selected as the host location for the 2009 North Carolina Motorcoach Association (NCMA) Annual Meeting and Marketplace. Catherine was asked to serve on the NCMA Board of Directors as well.	Shenandoah Valley Familiarization tour participants
Spring Hospitality Training Workshops April 17 Location - Vinton War Memorial Time: 8:30am - Noon or 1:00pm - 4:30pm Cost: $15.00 CVB members and $20.00 non-members Click here for a registration form Contact our office for more details - (540) 342-6025
25th Annual National Tourism Week May 10-18, 2008 "Discover Great American Traditions"

Marketing Minute

NEW Meeting Planner's Guide

The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to present the NEW Roanoke Valley Meeting Planner's Guide this Spring. This guide focuses on meeting facilities, unique meeting facilities, accommodations, points of interest, and convention services providing a concise sales tool to promote the Valley as an exciting convention destination. In addition, the website will include all the information from the Meeting Planner's Guide as well as 360 degree virtual tours of advertiser's facilities. The Meeting Planner will be able to interact with this information allowing them to gain a better overview of the Roanoke Valley. The Roanoke Valley Meeting Planner's Guide is the main fulfillment for all convention inquiries.

360 degree virtual tours are now available! If you did not advertise in the Meeting Planner's Guide, you can now purchase Virtual Tours for $350.00. This cost includes the production and placement to enhance your information on the CVB's website. Also, these features will be available for your use. Additional virtual tours are available at $200.00. For additional information contact Debora Wright at (540) 342-6025.

Don't miss this opportunity to make a visual impact!

Upcoming Conventions and Sporting Events

Convention Calendar April - June 2008

Date	Conventions/Expos/Shows	Venue
APRIL
2-6	Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Conference	THR&CC
5-6	5^th Annual Body, Mind & Soul Expo	SCC
10-12	Virginia Education Association Delegate Assembly	RCC
17	Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Business and Technology Expo	RCC
17-18	US Senate Productivity & Quality Award of Virginia	Roanoke Higher Education Center
18-20	Virginia Forestry Association	THR&CC
19-20	Salem Gun Show and Sale	SCC
21-23	NARFE VA Federation of Chapters Convention	Roanoke Plaza Hotel
25	Smith Mountain Lake Business Expo	Downtown Moneta
25-27	Artisans Center of Virginia Conference & Craft Show	THR&CC
25-27	Rotary International District 7670 District Conference	THR&CC
MAY
3 & 9	Radford University Graduation	Radford University
4-6	Inlightened Ministries presents The Edge Conference Youth Rally	RCC
7-8	Carilion Annual Spring Symposium	THR&CC
9	Jefferson College of Health Sciences Graduation	RCC
9	Virginia Western Community College Graduation	SCC
9-10	Virginia Tech Graduation	Virginia Tech
13-18	Drew Exposition	RCC
18	Hollins University Graduation	Hollins University
20	Agronomy and Horticulture Services Seminar	Holiday Inn Tanglewood
22-24	Grand Chapter of Virginia Order of the Eastern Star	RCC
23-25	17^th Annual Roanoke Valley Gem & Mineral Show	SCC
23-25	National EMS Memorial	THR&CC
25-29	Independent Order of Odd Fellows	Holiday Inn Tanglewood
JUNE
7-8	50^th Annual Art Museum of Western Virginia Sidewalk Art Show	Downtown Roanoke
11	Lord Botetourt High School Graduation	SCC
12	Roanoke County High School Graduations	SCC
13	City of Roanoke High School Graduations	RCC
13	Salem High School Graduation	SCC
15-18	United Methodist Conference	RCC
26-27	Mental Health Association of Roanoke Valley Conference	RCC

Date	Sporting Events	Venue
APRIL
12	Ruckus in the Cage	RCC
19	Virginia Tech Football - Spring Game	Virginia Tech
MAY
3	Carilion Health System Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon	Smith Mountain Lake
3	Ernest 'Pig' Robertson Fishing Rodeo (Ages 3-8)	Lake Spring Pond -Salem
3	Relay for Life "Ride for Life" Motorcycle Rally	RCC
5	Ernest 'Pig' Robertson Fishing Rodeo (Disabled Children's Day)	Lake Spring Pond - Salem
5	Smith Mountain Lake Corporate Cup	Waters Edge Country Club
7	Ernest 'Pig' Robertson Fishing Rodeo (Nursing Home Patient Day)	Lake Spring Pond - Salem
10	Ernest 'Pig' Robertson Fishing Rodeo (Ages 9-12)	Lake Spring Pond - Salem
16-20	NCAA Division III Softball Championship	Moyer Sports Complex
17	Smith Mountain Lake Poker Run	SML
17-18	NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship	Roanoke College
17-18	Virginia State Level 4 Gymnastics Championship	SCC
24	Infinity Boxing presents "Best of Both Worlds Tour"	RCC
31	Appalachian Power Festival Run	Downtown Roanoke
JUNE
20-22	International Softball Federation Senior World Cup Championship	Various Venues
21	Roanoke Valley Highland Games	Green Hill Park
23-29	Roanoke Valley Horse Show	SCC

RCC: Roanoke Civic Center
SEC: Special Events Center at the Roanoke Civic Center
SCC: Salem Civic Center
THR&CC: The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center

Featured Events

Railroad Ties; Ties to History; Ties to Culture
April 5: 7pm & April 6: 3pm : Location: Jefferson Center
Southwest Virginia Ballet premiers TIES in an unprecedented collaboration with the O. Winston Link Museum, the Virginia Museum of Transportation and musician, David Austin. Come hear the whistle blow as SVB celebrates the rich history of the railroad on stage in a collage of film, music and dance. Click here for more information.

Salem Avalanche Baseball Club
Advanced Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. The season runs from April to August. Check out the web site for a Carolina League game schedule. Click here for more information.

10th Annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival
April 19: 10am - 4pm; Location: Green Hill Park
Hosted by Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. Bring your kite and soar the blue skies of the Blue Ridge. Free admission and the first 1000 children get a free kite and T-shirt while supplies last. Bring your own kite, get a lesson or sit back and enjoy the shapes and colors taking flight. Vendors will be on site with affordable snacks and treats. Click here for more information.

Community School's Annual Strawberry Festival
May 2 - 3: 10:30am - 5:30pm: Location - Downtown Roanoke
The Strawberry Festival is a family event with live entertainment, arts
and crafts, games and activities for children as well as the most delicious strawberry treats you will ever taste. Click here for more information.

Festival in the Park
May 22 - 26, 2008: Location: Downtown Roanoke and various venues
Great concerts and great family entertainment planned, and we'll be announcing this information very soon. Visit their website for details and entertainment schedules. Click here for more information.

E-Newsletter Editor – Catherine Fox