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Virginia Travel Post for March 2022
News and Opportunities for the Virginia Travel Industry
Promote Your Events on Virginia.org
Festival season is upon us and we need your events! Please add or updated your Spring, Summer and Music Festivals and events on Virginia.org. This includes Spring Break events, deals & packages, etc. Questions, contact Robin Mamunes at rmamunes@virginia.org.
2022 Travel Guides in Market
The new Virginia Travel Guide is here! This year’s guide highlights surprising finds and unexpected experiences through a collection of personal recommendations and heartfelt narratives from talented writers, local enthusiasts and passionate travelers. Get the insider’s perspective on detour-worthy destinations, be inspired by trailblazing locals, or take our interactive quiz to find your perfect festival.
Partnership Marketing and Advertising Program (PMAP) Program Year 2022 Enrollment
PY2022 (July 2021-June 30, 2022) enrollment for the Partnership Marketing and Advertising Program at the Virginia Welcome Centers and Safety Rest Areas is now open. If you participated in the PY21 program, you will be auto re-enrolled. Please visit www.welcomeva.com to see all advertising opportunities at the Virginia Welcome Centers and Safety Rest Areas. If you have any questions, please email customerservice@virginia.org.
Bring LOVE to your Destination or Event
Request our popular LOVEwork to promote your destination and create a memory! Please submit the LOVEwork application request. Check on the form if you would like to lease the Pride LOVEwork or the Standard LOVEwork. For questions, contact Noelle Baker – (804) 545-5520.
2022 Visitors Center Seminar
LAST CHANCE FOR REGISTRATION – The 2022 Visitors Center Seminar, March 28th -30th, will be here soon! We hope you’ll plan to join us in beautiful Halifax County as we gather together once again. Registration and agenda information can be found on VATC.org.
For questions regarding the seminar, please contact Noelle Baker.
Virginia Tourism Grant Programs Open
Reminder: The following Virginia Tourism Corporation funding programs close on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 5 p.m.: Recovery Marketing Leverage Program grant, Virginia DMO Marketing grant, and the Special Events & Festival program. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review each program’s Terms and Conditions and the Guidance documents before submitting their applications. More information on these programs can be found at www.vatc.org/grants.
Groups, Sports and Meetings
What’s new, renovated or is there a change in services?
Please let us know about new or renovated tourism products/services for groups, meetings or sports markets. Do you still offer performance opportunities for student groups? Do you have new timed attraction tickets or special requirements for groups to visit? Update us with this form so we can share the news with group tour, meeting and sports event planners.
ARPA Sports Marketing and Meeting & Convention Incentive Program
For more information on both event incentive programs and to view the recordings of the educational webinars, visit VATC.org. Application portal opens April 1.
Virginia is for RACING Lovers!
Do you have itineraries that will drive 😉 visitors to racetracks or speedways in your destination? We’re looking for places to eat, things to do, and places to stay around current motorsports tracks. We would like them to be similar to our LOVEworks road trip ideas. We plan to share them on our motorsports events landing page. Have questions? Please contact Jane Lammay.
VTC Orientation – Save the Date!
Join the Virginia Tourism Corporation May 10 - 12 (Tuesday - Thursday) from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm for an all-new, 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, research, marketing, tourism success stories and much more.
This Orientation is a must for tourism marketers, DMOs, managers/owners of Virginia tourism properties and those who want to increase their visitation. There is no cost for Orientation.
Registration will open in early April. Questions? Contact Judy Watkins, jwatkins@virginia.org or 804-754-5921.
Welcome Laura Messer
VTC Partnership Marketing welcomes Laura Messer as the Destination Development Specialist for the Coastal Virginia regions of Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay. Prior to joining VTC, Laura was Tourism and Marketing Coordinator for James City County. Laura will assist the Coastal Virginia communities and tourism industry partners with planning, destination development, connecting to resources, and connecting with our VTC staff and services.
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.
Build Back Greener: the Future of Sustainable Tourism in Virginia! The 9th Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference & Travel Star Awards, which will be held in-person at the Hilton Richmond Downtown on April 25-26, 2022. Interactive workshops, great speakers, our Green Tourism Business Expo, and a crazy fun awards reception to honor Virginia's greenest tourism operators -- please join us!
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 February, VTC’s earned media coverage resulted in more than 2.8 billion impressions, with coverage in Global Traveler, Forbes, Travel + Leisure and more. For more February press coverage, please click here.
Virginia Tourism Partner News and Updates
Miles Scholarship Program for STS Marketing College
Miles Partnership will award 14 scholarships for the 2022 session of STS Marketing College, selecting one tourism industry professional in each of the 14 STS member regions, including Virginia. The application period is open until Friday, March 18. Scholarship recipients will be announced by Friday, April 1.
2022 National Main Street Now Conference
The 2022 National Main Street Now Conference will be held in Richmond, May 16-18, 2022. The Virginia Main Street Program team is offering volunteer opportunities to assist with the event. Visit the link below for more information and to register.
COVID-19 Industry Response Toolkit
Up to date information and news for our industry partners.
Learn More
Virginia is for Lovers Store
Check out our sale on Virginia is for Lovers merch!
Order Now
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