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Issue – Summer 08 Issue 46
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From the President's Desk
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Tourism Makes an Impact
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Welcome New Members
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Member News
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Annual Meeting
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Convention Calendar and Sporting Events
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Featured Events
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Having trouble viewing this Newsletter? Click Here
To provide comments or feedback to this newsletter please email us at Newsletter@VisitRoanokeVa.com.
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Summer is approaching, temperatures are rising, gas prices are increasing, the economy remains unstable, and the RVCVB enters its 24th year of promoting tourism in the Valley. I want to thank the great staff at the CVB, the Board of Directors, and the membership for making 2007 a successful and rewarding year.
This year we will continue to face the challenge of rising gas prices and an unstable economy which impacts each of us. As a community we have always planned well and made changes to adapt to these challenges. I'm confident we'll continue this trend. I suspect many of us will re-evaluate our travel plans for the season and encourage each of us to maximize the resources here in our Valley.
When I was a young boy I remember camping in the backyard and feeling like I was miles away from home. If we think about it, Roanoke Valley is our home and there is a plethora of fun, exciting, and relaxing opportunities right in our own backyard. Want a day at the beach? The Franklin County Community Park just opened offering a beach, picnic area, fishing pier, and playground on Smith Mountain Lake. Enjoy hiking? Visit the recently rebuilt Carvin's Cove hiking trails or take a trip to the Peaks of Otter. Interested in an amusement park? The Salem Fair is just around the corner. Picnics in the park, petting animals at the Mill Mountain Zoo, concerts at the Civic Centers, and swimming in the lake; take advantage of the many attractions our area has to offer.
Want to save a little more? Get a "Regional Entertainment Discount" (RED) Card and receive special savings throughout the Valley. A full listing of participating vendors can be found at visitroanokeva.com.
How has the economy affected our region? Looking at the year-to-date statistics I commend the CVB on an outstanding job. We are ahead of the economy. Statistical data from the Smith Travel Research report, January - April 2008, shows a positive change in comparison to last year:
Roanoke Valley
2.0% increase in occupancy
5.7% increase in Average Daily Rate
7.9% increase in REVPAR
State of Virginia
4.3% decrease in occupancy
6.2% increase in Average Daily Rate
1.4% increase in REVPAR
United States
2.1% decrease in occupancy
4.7% increase in Average Daily Rate
2.5% increase in REVPAR
Summer is on track to be a very busy tourism season, with lots of fun and excitement... and a profitable one for the Valley. Plan to be a part of it, you'll be glad you did!
Neil Ordway - Holiday Inn Roanoke - Valley View
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Lodging Tax Revenues for January, February, March 2007 and 2008
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| 2007 | 2008 | Change | % Change | | City of Roanoke |
| $ 494,818 | $ 564,813 | $ 69,996 | 14.14% | | County of Roanoke |
| $ 180,251 | $ 208,205 | $ 27,954 | 15.50% | | City of Salem |
| $ 105,482 | $ 136,953 | $ 31,471 | 29.83% | | County of Botetourt |
| $ 52,981 | $ 47,689 | -$ 5,192
| 9.98% | | County of Franklin |
| $ 8,122 | $ 8,486 | $ 364
| 4.48% | | Total Tax Revenue |
| $ 842,654 | $ 966,146 | $123,492 | 14.64% | |
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| | Source - Local Governments |
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The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes our newest members
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- Cam's Maps
- claire v.
- Courtyard by Marriott Blacksburg
- Knights Inn Airport
- Richfield Retirement Community
- Star City Banquet & Conference Center
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.
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Roanoke . . . One of the Best Places to Go!
The Roanoke Valley CVB is proud to have Roanoke recognized as one of the "Best Places to Go" in the August 2008, Anniversary issue of Blue Ridge Country. Based on a survey by Blue Ridge Country's readership, Roanoke received the following recognitions: "Best Places to Go" . . .
Big City - Gold
Farmers Market - Silver
Retirement Town - Silver
An additional advertising campaign will run focusing on promoting this Anniversary issue. The campaign will reach more than 1.2 million people allowing the "Best of the Blue Ridge" winners even more exposure. Keep up the good work Roanoke Valley!
North Carolina Marketing Campaign
The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau was pleased to be awarded a grant from Virginia Tourism Corporation in December 2007. The Bureau received a $25,000 grant for a North Carolina Marketing Initiative. A newspaper campaign was launched in April 2008 to run through the summer, targeting Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Raleigh/Durham areas. The ads highlight "Get the most out of your vacation budget this summer by visiting the Roanoke Valley". "They showcase the array of things there are to see and do in the Roanoke Valley only a short distance away. A web site was also launched (www.drivetoroanoke.com) to target more potential visitors. On this site potential visitors can register for $50 in GASCASH. Winners are chosen monthly. This campaign continues to grow as we market a little closer to home for the summer.
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Sports
John Shaner, Carey Harveycutter, Dave Kjolhede and Kelly Burd-Adams attended the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) in April. Each met with various Sporting Event Rights Holders. The RVCVB Sports Marketing Committee has reviewed several new sporting events and is in the process of pursuing them.
Kelly Burd-Adams will be traveling to the AAU Girls (13U) National Basketball Championship in July, to build promotion attendance for the Roanoke Valley next year. We will be hosting the AAU Girls (14U) National Basketball Championship in July 2009.
Conventions
Kelly Burd-Adams attended the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) Annual Conference in May. The educational conference provided a blend of professional development sessions and networking opportunities with State Association Executives.
Kelly Burd-Adams, Brenda Phillips (Director of Sales, Holiday Inn Roanoke - Valley View) and Robin Sampson (Director of Sales, Roanoke Plaza Hotel) will make a presentation to the Harley Owners Group's Site Selection Committee. The Bureau is bidding for their 2009 State Harley Owners Group Meeting and Rally. This event is anticipated to bring 3,000 motorcyclists to the Valley for 4 days in June 2009.
Vickie Meeks Miller attended the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners Spring Conference in Montgomery, AL May 13-18, 2008 where she met with many planners of corporate, religious, fraternal and association events.
The following week, Vickie travelled to Gatlinburg, TN to attend the Christian Meetings and Convention Association's Spring Conference on May 19-23, 2008 for the second consecutive year, thus concluding two very productive weeks of exhibiting and promoting the Roanoke Valley, networking, and continuing education.
Vickie Meeks Miller will be attending the Fraternal Executive Association's Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Miami, FL on July 9-12, 2008.
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| New Meeting Planners Guide |
Tourism
Catherine Fox, Tourism Director, attended the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Conference in Bismarck, ND to further build writer relationships after hosting a successful conference in the Roanoke Valley last year. Congratulations to Mark Taylor, Outdoor Editor with The Roanoke Times and Conference Co-Chair, for being elected to the OWAA Board of Directors.
Catherine plans to attend the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) Marketplace in Annapolis, MD to meet with nearly 75 journalists from across the Mid-Atlantic. She will be pitching regional story ideas to the journalists.
She will be attending Virginia Motorcoach Association Marketplace and , for the first time, the South Carolina Motorcoach Association Marketplace in Columbia SC to promote group tours to the area. | 30 AAA Travel Counselors from across the
country and Canada visited the Roanoke Valley
while touring the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Many thanks to the Holiday Inn Roanoke - Valley
View, Mac & Bob's Restaurant, Salem Visitors
Center and the Blue Ridge Parkway Association for making the tour possible. |
Mark your calendar for these dates:
September 24 - Hospitality Training Workshops -
Hosted by the Hyatt Place Roanoke Airport/Valley View Mall.
Two workshops will be offered beginning from 9am - Noon and 1:00pm - 4:30pm.
The cost to participate is $15.00 for CVB members and $20.00 for non-members.
Click here for a registration form.
VA-1 Tourism Conference
VA-1 (one Virginia) - signifies the importance of a unified approach to tourism. As a vital partner in Virginia's tourism success - we want you there Virginia Tourism Corporation invites you to attend VA-1, the newly formatted Virginia Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism September 10-11, 2008 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Registration information coming soon from the Virginia Tourism Corporation!
Spring images from around the Roanoke Valley.
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Annual Meeting
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The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau held its Annual Meeting & Luncheon May 14 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. The Bureau staff offered work sessions to the tourism industry prior to the Annual Meeting. Feedback from attendees was very positive.
Welcome to our New Board Members
Michael BurnetteProjects Manager - Franklin County Tourism Shirley Holland Carilion Clinic Mary Beth LaymanSpecial Programs Director - Town of Vinton Dharmendra Patel Samip Management Laura Rawlings The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge James E. Taliaferro, IIAssistant City Manager - City of Salem Joyce Waugh Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Convention Calendar and Sporting Events
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| | JULY | | | | 4-6 | Christian Congregation of Jehovah | RCC | | 7-13 | Virginia State Council of Apostolic | Holiday Inn Tanglewood-Roanoke | | 17 | Broadcaster's General Store - Radio Broadcaster's Expo | RCC | | 19-20 | Salem Gun Show and Sale | SCC | | 25-27 | Roanoke Valley Antique Expo | RCC | | 29 | Drum Corp International | Salem Stadium | | 30-8/3 | Mountain Valley Cluster Dog Show | SCC | | AUGUST | | | | 7/30-8/3 | Mountain Valley Cluster Dog Show | SCC | | 9 | Roanoke Valley Mopar Club Car Show | RCC | | 13 | Community Transportation Association of Virginia Expo | RCC | | 16 | Vintage Comic Book Show | SCC | | 15-17 | Roanoke Valley Gun Show | RCC | | SEPTEMBER | | | | 9 | Senior's Expo | RCC | | 16
20-21
| Roanoke Times CareerFest
Home Solutions Expo | SCC
SCC
| Sporting Events
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| | JULY | | | | 11-18 | AAU Boys 15U Baseball National Championship | Various Venues | | 13 | WWE Raw Summerslam Tour | RCC | | 18 | Coventry Commonwealth Games of Virginia Opening Ceremonies | RCC | | 18-20 | Coventry Commonwealth Games of Virginia | Various Venues | | 24 | 2008 USA Olympic Softball "Bound 4 Beijing" Tour | Salem Kiwanis Field | | 30-8/3 | ASA JO Eastern Class A & B Girls Fast-Pitch National Championship | Various Venues | | AUGUST | | | | 7/30-8/3 | ASA JO Eastern Class A & B Girls Fast-Pitch National Championship | Various Venues | | 9 | Fight-Nite | SCC | | 16 | FAB 5K Run | Green Hill Park | | 22-24 | Virginia Outdoor Sportsmen's Classic | SCC | | 25-26 | 17th Annual Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup - Golf Tournament | Hunting Hills Country Club | | 28-9/1 | ASA Men's Class C Eastern Slow-Pitch National Championship | Various Venues | | SEPTEMBER | | | | 8/28-9/1 | ASA Men's Class C Eastern Slow-Pitch National Championship | Various Venues | | 6 | Virginia Tech vs. Furman (Football) | Virginia Tech | | 13 | Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech (Football) | Virginia Tech | | 20 | 13th Annual Marine Mud Run | Green Hill Park | | 20 | Virginia Union vs. John C. Smith Western Virginia Education Classic (Football) | Salem Stadium | | 27 | Washington & Lee vs. Averett University (Football) | Salem Stadium | | | |
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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.(540) 389-3333
Salem Fair
Salem Civic Center
July 3 - 13, 2008
Click Here for more information
(540) 375-3004
The 21st Annual Salem Fair is the largest fair and event of its kind in western Virginia. Eleven days of family fun including carnival rides, food, games, commercial exhibits and free musical and entertainment acts. (Free admission and free parking)
Green Hill Medieval Faire & Highland Games
Green Hill Park
September 27 10:00 - 6:00PM Masquerade Ball at 7:00PM
September 28 10:00 - 5:00PM
Click here for more information
(540) 387-6455
This yearly event allows spectators and participants to experience adventure, pageantry, magic and romance. The knights, knaves, damsels, and magicians along with many other interesting characters transform Green Hill Park into a spectacular display of history. You can explore the village yourself as the past comes to life with historic figures, entertainment, eccentric characters, jousting, swordplay, music, handcrafted arts and crafts, vendors, merchants and hearty food and drink.
SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival
Elmwood Park
September 20 - 3:00PM - 9:00PM
Click Here for more information
(540) 342-2460
The festival will showcase world-class high energy blues entertainment and emphasize good eats, especially ribs! There will be more than plenty high-energy goings on, with all the musical entertainment, the U. S. Foodservice Rib Cook-Off Contest, the Martin's Rib Eating Contest and numerous food vendors offering delicious food tastings.
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