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Issue – #51: Fall 2009
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Trouble Viewing
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From the President's Desk
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Touism Makes an Impact
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Welcome New Members
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Member News
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Marketing Minute
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CVB Calendar
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Featured Events
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Susan E. Short, Ph.D. - Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
Greetings to all - I hope you are enjoying the waning moments of summertime and are ready to embrace one of the most beautiful seasons in the Roanoke Valley. There is just something about the sounds of autumn - leaves crumbling under foot, children's laughter on school playgrounds, and the shrill of a whistle from a football field. Take time to get outside and enjoy this magnificent season. We will have the opportunity to host many guests as they visit the region to enjoy our outdoor beauty, attend conferences and professional development experiences, and participate in diverse sporting events.
During an August press conference, the Bureau was excited to announce that the Roanoke Valley is the first partnership in the Commonwealth to develop a cohesive program to promote community loops off of the Wilderness Road. In 2007, the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau began working on the local portion of the Wilderness Road. A $25,000 grant was received from the marketing leverage fund of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and was combined with a $50,000 dedicated marketing program from the Bureau to develop community trails off of the Wilderness Road. The Roanoke Valley was centrally located on the Wilderness Road, served as a crossroads for the early settlers' movement, and included the Great Wagon Road, Fincastle Turnpike, and the Carolina Road. Hence, the titling of the program - The Crossroads to Settlement.
I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update regarding the RVCVB Executive Director search. As you are aware, our RVCVB Executive Director, Dave Kjolhede, has announced his intent to retire on December 31, 2009. Dave has effectively led the RVCVB for the past twelve and one half years. The RVCVB Board of Directors has hired the executive firm, SearchWide, to assist with the search process. Mike Gamble, President/CEO of SearchWide, visited the region in late August and conducted numerous interviews with key stakeholders. The position announcement has been developed and disseminated. The job posting may be reviewed by going to http://www.searchwide.com/jobpostings.aspx. The Search Committee is planning to conduct interviews in early November and is hopeful to have a new Executive Director on board early in 2010.
The tourism industry in the Valley continues to clearly demonstrate a "can-do attitude" during a time filled with change and difficult financial challenges. Our future calls us to assess and transform "business as usual" into a creative, dynamic approach to marketing and promoting the Valley through collaborative partnerships and relationships. I am confident with the leadership provided by the RVCVB Board of Directors, the contributions by the committed, outstanding staff of the RVCVB, and expertise provided by our industry partners and stakeholders, tourism dollars will continue to grow in the Valley. Enjoy the beauty of the season.
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Occupancy Tax # Numbers for April, May and June 2008 and 2009
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| 2008
| 2009
| Change | % Change
| City of Roanoke
| $ 761,213
| $ 685,899
| - $ 75,314
| - 9.89 %
| | County of Roanoke | $ 188,393
| $ 172,020 | - $ 16,373
| - 8.69 %
| | City of Salem | $ 216,554
| $ 210,850
| - $ 5,704
| - 2.63 %
| County of Botetourt
| $ 84,867
| $ 49,107
| - $ 35,760
| - 42.13 %
| County of Franklin
Total Tax Revenue | $ 25,109
$1,276,136
| $ 25,719
$1,143,595
| + $ 610
- $ 132,541
| + 2.42 %
- 10.38 %
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Source - Local Governments
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The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes our newest members:- Floyd County Chamber of Commerce
- Howard Johnson Inn - Airport
- Jacksonville Center for the Arts
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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2010 Roanoke Valley Visitor's Guide
Exciting news: The ROANOKE VALLEY VISITOR'S GUIDE will also have an online "page turn" component for 2010. This one-two punch of the print and e-guide and the hotlink directly linked to your website is becoming a key method of gaining new customers. With more than 2.4 million page views on the CVB's website, this has the potential to add thousands of new readers for the Guide.
Any businesses interested in several copies - the cost is $300.00 for 1,000 copies. (minimum addition)
For advertising information, please contact Linda Haddix at Leisure Publishing, 540-989-6138, lhaddix@leisurepublishing.com.
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Vickie Meeks Miller, Convention Sales Manager, will attend the Christian Meetings and Conventions Association's Fall Tradeshow at the Heritage Conference Center in Ft. Mill, SC November 4-6, 2009.
Kelly Burd-Adams, Director of Convention Sales, and Dave Kjolhede, Executive Director, will be attending the TEAMS (Travel, Events and Management in Sports) Conference & Expo on October 13-15, 2009.
Catherine Fox, Tourism Director, will be reconnecting with AAA offices in North Carolina and Pennsylvania this month. She will also be attending the AAA Superbowl of Knowledge, November 20-22, 2009 in Charlotte, NC. Catherine is welcoming several tour groups this fall to the region and actively working on the Parkway's 75th Anniversary media campaign. |
 Visitor Center Volunteer & Staff "Road Trip!" Tour and Luncheon at the remodeled Sheraton. | Calling all Tourism Industry Partners! Save the Date for Virginia's Help Desk!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Location - The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Time - 9:00am - 4:00pm
Cost - FREE
Click here for more information
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The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Help Desk Brings TOURISM Outreach & Training to the Roanoke Valley for FREE. VTC staff meet one-on-one with tourism businesses so they may take advantage of VTC's education, development and marketing services. This broad, extensive series of sessions gives individual businesses one-on-one time with VTC's staff of developers, trainers and marketers. Best times to attend are in the morning and early afternoon, no appointment necessary.
Special Note - Big News for Virginia is for Lovers
and the state tourism industry! | 
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The slogan - Virginia is for Lovers - was inducted into the National Advertising Walk of Fame in New York!!! This is a great honor and we want to thank everyone who voted to put Virginia over the top to become one of two iconic slogans inducted this year. Virginia's win was no small effort! We were up against major national competition including Nike - Just Do It, McDonalds - I'm Lovin' It, Got Milk? and What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas. As we continue to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers - this goes to show that love does conquer all and 40 really is the new 20!
Breaking News! Governor Kaine announced Virginia ranked 8th in the nation for domestic visitor spending, up 2 spots from # 10. Domestic spending increased 5.8% in 2007. For more information go to www.vatc.org.
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Crossroads to Settlement
Part of the Wilderness Road The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with regional partners, unveiled a new marketing program focused on the heritage of the Roanoke Valley - Crossroads to Settlement. This heritage program taps directly into a state initiative and will be one of the first programs in the state to highlight community loops along the Wilderness Road.
In 2006, Virginia Tourism Corporation created a program called the Wilderness Road - a historical initiative focusing on Virginia's heritage migration route and the settlement of western Virginia and beyond. The Wilderness Road encompasses many routes including the more familiar Great Road, Great Philadelphia Road and the Valley Turnpike. This road, which is approximately 800 miles, traversed through PA, MD, VA, TN and KY. Of these 800 miles, 500 miles reside in Virginia, basically running along Route 11 from Winchester to the Cumberland Gap. The Wilderness Road is more than a collection of highways and byways. It's an epic saga about the early settlement of America in the mid 1700-1800s.
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What is known today as the Roanoke Valley of Virginia was an important hub on the journey of America's settlers - a Crossroads to Settlement. The Wilderness Road in Virginia is made up of a main segment and two spurs. The Roanoke Valley is home to a portion of the Great Wagon Road, as well as the Fincastle Turnpike and Carolina Road spurs.
In 2007, the Bureau began work on the local portion of the Wilderness Road - a Crossroads to Settlement. The $75,000 marketing program included a $25,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Fund Program to develop community trails off the Wilderness Road. The overall program consists of the brochure as well as a web presence and an advertising campaign. 75,000 brochures were printed to fulfill the advertising campaign.
Over 43 million Americans can trace their heritage to families that traveled the Wilderness Road. The Roanoke Valley is the first partnership in the state to develop a cohesive program to promote community loops off of the Wilderness Road. The free Crossroads to Settlement - Part of the Wilderness Road brochure is available by calling the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau at (540) 342-6025 or (800) 635-5535 or visit www.CrossroadstoSettlement.com |
RED Card Program - FREE Membership Opportunity!
Join over 60 members participating in the RED (Regional Entertainment Discount) Card marketing program. As a member of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, this is a FREE opportunity!
The RED Card is highlighted in ads, the Visitor's Guide and the CVB web site. In addition, it is displayed at information tables for Conventions and Sports Events. Based on studies, people receiving RED Cards were more likely to travel to the Roanoke Valley with the added-value.
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Simply supply a discount for your business. The RED Card will be attached to a brochure listing your discount as well as be listed on the Roanoke Valley CVB web site. As a BONUS, a symbol for the RED Card will appear beside your listing highlighting that you are a RED Card participant.
If you are currently participating, we still need you to sign up again for this time frame. We ask that you honor this discount from January 2010 through December 2010. Please note visitors cannot use the Roanoke Valley RED Card in conjunction with other discounts or offers. Discounts are subject to availability and blackout dates.
The deadline to be included is October 19, 2009. Please contact Debora Wright at 540-342-6025 ext 121 for more information on this exciting program. |
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| Convention Calendar October-December 2009 | | Date | Conventions/Expos/Shows | Venue | | OCTOBER |
| 10/2-11/8
| 30th Annual Roanoke City Art Show | Center in the Square 2nd Floor Gallery | | 1-3 | Virginia Community Colleges Association Conference | THR&CC | | 2-3 | HSA-Roanoke Valley Unit Symposium | Holiday Inn Tanglewood-Roanoke | | 5-6 | Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education | THR&CC | | 9-11 | Craftsmen's Classic Arts & Crafts Festival | RCC | | 9-11 | Gold Wing Road Riders Association State Rally | SCC | | 14-16 | Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference | THR&CC | | 16-17 | Women's Health Beauty Life Expo Show | SCC | | 17 | Community Fallfest | RCC | | 18-20 | Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference | THR&CC | | 23-24 | International Air Gun Exposition | RCC | | 24-25 | Roanoke Valley Gun Show | RCC |
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| | NOVEMBER |
| | 10/2-11/8 | 30th Annual Roanoke City Art Show | Center in the Square 2nd Floor Gallery | | 6 | Alzheimer's Association Educational Conference | SCC | | 6-7 | 10th Annual A.E.C.P. Energy Expo | RCC | | 6-8 | Virginia Community College Student Leadership Conference | THR&CC | | 12-13 | Blue Ridge Travel Association Conference | THR&CC | | 13-15 | The Stocked Market presented by Roanoke Junior League | RCC | | 14 | Roanoke Valley Comicon | SCC | | 14 | Star City Sports Cards 1st Annual Collectibles Show | RCC | | 27-29 | Roanoke Valley Gem Show | SCC |
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| | DECEMBER |
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| None |
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| | Date | Sporting Events | Venue | | OCTOBER |
| | 4 | Poor Mountain Hill Climb | Camp Roanoke/Poor Mountain | | 9 | Virginia Tech vs. Maryland (Hockey) | RCC | | 10 | Virginia Tech vs. Boston College (Football) | Virginia Tech | | 17 | Run for the Arts | RCC | | 23 | Virginia Tech vs. Liberty (Hockey) | RCC | | 24 | Virginia Tech vs. UNC (Hockey) | RCC | | 25 | NASCAR Tums Fast Relief 500 Race | Martinsville Speedway | | 30 | Virginia Tech vs. NC State ( Hockey) | RCC | | 31 | USSBA Virginia State Marching Band Championships | Salem Stadium | | 31 | Virginia Tech vs. Duke (Hockey) | RCC |
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| | NOVEMBER |
| | 8 | Virginia Tech Hokie Wrestling Tournament | SCC | | 14 | World Championship Motorcycle & Quad Ice Racing | RCC | | 21 | Virginia Tech vs. NC State | Virginia Tech | | 20 | Virginia Tech vs. UVA (Hockey) | RCC |
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| | DECEMBER |
| | 12 | VHSL Group A Football Championship | Salem Football Stadium | | 19 | NCAA DIII Football Championship - Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl | Salem Football Stadium | |
RCC: Roanoke Civic Center
SCC: Salem Civic Center
THR&CC: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
SEC: Special Events Center at the Roanoke Civic Center
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Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
October 24: 10am - 5pm: Location: Ferrum College
A one-day celebration of regional folkways, and visitors delights in an unmatched presentation of old-time crafts, music, foods, working animal competitions, antique iron and children's games. Since its start in the early 1970's the festival has become Virginia's largest showcase of regional traditions. (540) 365-4416 or http://www.blueridgeinstitute.org/festivals.htm
SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas
December 4, 11 & 18: 6pm - 10pm: Location:Downtown Roanoke
Dickens of a Christmas spans three consecutive Friday nights in December - this festival includes a tree lighting ceremony on December 4 a Christmas parade on the 11th and a Pet Costume Contest and outdoor holiday movie on the 18th. Dickens is fun for the whole family with horse drawn carriage rides, carolers in the streets, a myriad of street performances, re-enactors dressed in costume, ice sculpture demonstration, music and dance, vendors selling their wares, a special 'kids area' and much more. (540) 342-2028 or www.downtownroanoke.org
The Nutcracker
December 12 & 13: Location: Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre
The Nutcracker is the most well-known and beloved story ballet of all time. Young imaginations will be sparked and audiences of all ages delighted as a Christmas tree grows to huge proportions, mice and soldiers battle, and waltzing Snowflakes whirl about amidst "real" falling snow. This year will mark Southwest Virginia Ballet's thirteenth performance of The Nutcracker, a holiday tradition for many families, and core part of the region's Christmas festivities. Tickets are on sale now at the Roanoke Civic Center Box Office 877-772 8496 or at www.roanokeciviccenter.com.
NCAA Division III Football Championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl
December 19: Location: Salem Stadium
The 37th Annual Stagg Bowl will be televised on ESPN. This will be the 17th year Salem has hosted this football championship. Tickets are on sale now at the Salem Civic Center Box Office and Ticketmaster. (540) 375-3004 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/8277
Enchanted Eve
December 31: 6pm - Midnight: Location: Washington Avenue, Vinton
"Enchanted Eve" is Roanoke County's alcohol-free, community inspired, New Year's Eve celebration, which provides a range of alternative possibilities to traditional New Year's Eve revelry. The many community-based events will reflect activities and entertainment for all ages. Children, teens, adults and the young at heart can be sure to find the perfect activity and the perfect way to celebrate the coming New Year. (540) 387-6455 or www.RoanokeCountyParks.com
Click here for a complete list of events.
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