August Updates for the Virginia Travel Industry

Brand Management

Co-op Contact Change Reminder

For all partners participating in the co-op program, Kerry McNally is no longer our contact at Mediahub. Please be sure to email Margaree Brown at margaree.brown@mediahubww.com with all reimbursement materials and program questions.

Consumer Services

Host the 2023 Visitor Center Seminar

Bring more than 100 dedicated tourism professionals to your city/county by hosting the 2023 Visitors Centers Seminar. Work closely with VTC to spotlight your tourism assets and help to educate the industry.  If your CVB/DMO/Chamber is interested in hosting this seminar and would like more information, please contact Noelle Baker at nbaker@virginia.org.

Partnership Marketing and Advertising (PMAP) Renewal

PY23 (July 2022-June 30, 2023) enrollment for the Partnership Marketing and Advertising Program at the Virginia Welcome Centers and Safety Rest Areas will open soon. As a reminder, we will be doing auto-renewals for all marketing items that were enrolled for the PY22 cycle. If you do not wish to be automatically invoiced, please let us know at customerservice@virginia.org.  Visit our website, www.welcomeva.com, for account information. For more information and pricing please contact Gary Jeffrey, 276-730-4582 or gjeffrey@virginia.org.

Bring LOVE to your Destination or Event

There is still time to request our popular LOVEwork for your upcoming event! Please submit the LOVEwork application request form if you would like to rent the Pride LOVEwork or the Standard LOVEwork. For questions, contact Noelle Baker – (804) 545-5520 or nbaker@virginia.org

Digital Marketing

Promote Your Events on Virginia.org

Please add or update your listings and events for county fairs and late summer/fall events and festivals.

Contact Robin with questions, rmamunes@virginia.org. Don’t have an account? Create one by filling out the extranet request form here: www.vatc.org/marketing/digital-marketing/webmarketing/.

Grants

(VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program is now open!

VTC has opened a Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program grant round. The focus of this grant round will be small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees and off-peak shoulder season travel marketing. DMOs and NGOs are also eligible to apply. Maximum award is $5,000.

DRIVE Outdoor Development Grant Program Opening Soon!

The DRIVE Outdoor Grant program opens to Virginia DMOs only Monday, August 22nd – Friday, September 16th! DRIVE Outdoor builds on the DRIVE 2.0 Statewide Strategic Plan to enhance outdoor recreation development.  Participating Virginia DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations) will be awarded up to $20,000 for outdoor recreation development projects to create significant tourism impact. 

Join us for the DRIVE Outdoor Grant Program on Wednesday, August 17th from 2:00-3:00pm. 

Find more information on DRIVE Outdoor, how to apply for the program and register for webinar below:

Groups, Sports and Meetings

Looking for new group or sporting event business? 

Partner with VTC at upcoming conferences/trade shows. See our Marketing Calendar for more information.

Can’t attend, then request our free tour & travel lead reports from Joni Johnson. Email Danish Saadat for more information on sports marketing lead reports.

Orientation

VTC Orientation – Save the Date!

Join VTC Oct. 25-27, 9 am to noon, for a three-day virtual Orientation where you will learn about VTC’s programs and how to maximize your tourism potential. Participants will learn about grants, public relations, grants, research, marketing, tourism success stories and much more.

Questions? Contact Judy Watkins, jwatkins@virginia.org or 804-754-5921.

Research

Lodging Reports

VTC partners with Smith Travel Research (STR), a leading lodging industry research company, to provide weekly and monthly lodging data for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The report provides an analysis for the state, tourism regions, and various segments around the state defined by STR.

Virginia Green

Ready to Get Certified or Re-Certified as a Virginia Green Travel Partner? Two partner levels -- (1) Commitment Level and (2) Fully-Certified. Download your checklist application, fill it out and submit. VGTA staff will assist and soon you'll be recognized as a certified Virginia Green Travel partner!

Virginia in the News

VTC’s public relations team continues its ongoing efforts to promote Virginia as a premier travel destination through placements in local, regional, and national media. In July, VTC’s earned media coverage resulted in more than 4.9 Billion impressions, with coverage in TripAdvisor, Travel Pulse, Fodor’s Travel and more. For more July press coverage, please click here.

Order Your Virginia is for Lovers Merchandise! 

Check out our sale on Virginia is for Lovers merch! 

FOLLOW US