I’m sure I’m not the only one whose day is being further taken up with monitoring my Facebook feed, ‘RT-ing’ tweets and looking for ‘chatter’ on blogs on behalf of my travel destination clients. As our marketing methods evolve to include social media, it is important for us travel marketers to stay on top of this growing communication trend and interact with potential consumers and ‘influencers’ where they are spending their time and purchasing travel—online.
We all know the latest phenomenon in social networking sites, Twitter, is a service that has captivated millions of individuals and businesses in many industries. Tourism organizations have found that this micro blogging website puts them in front of potential visitors who may be planning a trip soon as well as build relationships with key people who command a strategic following to further communicate their messaging.
There is estimated to be more than 300 U.S. Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) with Twitter accounts, being used to share anything from hotel package deals and event dates to the hottest nightclub or restaurant openings.
As the leader in marketing places, we at Development Counsellors International (DCI) took it upon ourselves to determine how these destination marketing organizations are utilizing Twitter to create conversation with potential visitors and influencers as well as to see who is doing it most effectively.
By reviewing and analyzing nearly 3,000 “Tweets” posted by 35 CVBs from the nation’s largest 50 MSAs over a month’s period, DCI set out to uncover the travel “Tweet Elite.” While these organizations did have large numbers of followers and updates, they also ranked highest in connecting with potential visitors, community partners and other important stakeholders.
From our study, we’d like to congratulate the following CVB’s that have best been utilizing Twitter for their communication needs. They are 2009’s “Tweet Elite:”
ØBaltimore Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
ØGreater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
ØTampa Bay & Company
ØNew Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
How is your organization using Twitter as a marketing tool? What successes and failures have you seen? What content do you find gets the most interest from your followers? We’d like to know. Tweet me @DCI_tourism or leave a comment below.
On Tuesday, June 30, Development Counsellors International (DCI) welcomed marketing professionals representing destinations around the globe to a discussion on the meetings, incentives, conventions and event (MICE) industry. Our panel consisted of experts in the meetings and convention industry:
·Kathleen Leuba, Executive Vice President, Mondotels:America’s industry leader in sales and marketing to the MICE market
·Betsy Bair, Editorial Director, MeetingsNet: Publisher of six meetings publications, including CorporateMeetings & Incentives and Association Meetings
·Agnès Canonica, Director – International Services, Meetings & Incentives: Leading international meeting planner for Fortune 100 companies
It’s no secret that the MICE industry has taken a hit recently. With the lagging global economy, corporations are cutting back on staff travel, off-site meetings and incentive trips. In addition, there is the “AIG effect” - a term used to describe the stigma of frivolity, waste and overindulgence that became associated with corporate retreats and meetings this past fall.
The discussion, however, was definitely more hopeful than gloomy. The experts offered advice for what destinations can do to grow group sales. Consumers still feel the need to belong to associations and to have the face-to-face contact with colleagues and professional counterparts. Most will continue to pay their dues out of their own pockets and travel to annual meetings.
Despite the woes of corporate and incentive travel, association travel will continue to be a source or revenue for cities or destinations. Our experts had suggestions for targeting associations and bringing them to your destination:
·Associations are a niche market and want to be treated as such. Know who you are pitching and exactly why your destination would be a great host for their meeting. Be specific.
·Don’t give too deep of a discount on hotel rates. A great group rate with a marginal discount is all you need for an association. Setting room rates too low will undercut your value. Where you can promote the most value to meeting planners is with experiences in your destination, such as discounts at museums, restaurants and attractions.
·Invest in a MICE database. Knowing which associations have come to your destination in the past will help, because they will be likely to return. Maintain contact with meeting planners, because they often work with many associations, and will return to wherever they’ve had favorable experiences.
·Play up volunteer opportunities and green aspects of your destination. Meeting planners are looking for ways for their attendees to have unique experiences, save money and reduce the waste and carbon footprints of their meetings.
There are thousands of associations around the world and our panel of experts believes that they are a market that is still traveling despite economic woes. Full hotel rooms and food and beverage sales are quantitative, and it’s easy to see the value and ROI of marketing to these associations.
Has your destination compiled any alluring offers to court the MICE market?
Scroll down to “comments” below to tell us about it.
As the cost of American health care continues to rise, it is no surprise that patients are seeking the most affordable location to receive quality care. What is raising eyebrows is the response of insurance companies nation-wide who are offering to cover both the travel and medical costs for patients seeking medical care abroad.
According to a study released by the DeloitteCenter for Health Solutions, approximately 750,000 Americans traveled outside the country for medical care in 2007, and as many as 6 million will have received healthcare outside the United States by 2010.
Currently, several domestic insurance companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, and employers are encouraging medical tourism as an alternative to high-priced care in the U.S.
There are many factors that are making medical tourism, as this aspect of the industry is known, an increasingly attractive option. Here are just a few:
lower prices abroad
lower nurse-to-patient ratios and
access to procedures not yet available in the States
inadequate or no health insurance
the opportunity to combine travel to a desired destination with high-quality health care
With the increase in passport holders, due to the requirements instituted in the last few years, yet another barrier to expanding this potentially lucrative business has been removed.
Where are travelers going for their care? Count in Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore – and recently, the perennial “dream destinations” for Americans, Australia and New Zealand, have entered the market.
Savvy travel agents have recognized this opportunity: no matter how well-traveled, most people will seek expert advice when considering a medical procedure abroad. But it’s more than simply booking a plane ticket: interested agents will need to assure their clients that they are familiar with the reputation and skills of the recommended facilities, and experienced in recognizing the specialized needs of medical travelers and their friends and family who accompany them.
Tourist boards around the world, such as Penang, Malaysia and Singapore, are adding Medical Tourism specialists to their staffs, holding conferences and workshops and boosting awareness among their stakeholders of the potential benefits of medical tourism.
Perhaps medical tourism is a viable alternative – even in the short term – for America’s health insurance problems.With an increasing number of well-traveled baby boomers needing surgery or other medical treatment, it could become another form of niche travel for them.
Are you an international destination actively pursuing medical tourism as an economic development platform, or a U.S. entity trying to avoid losing potential patients? If so, join the dialogue.
With people increasingly busy and the economy on the fritz, many Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus (CVB) and Tourism Associations are finding success in offering “trails” to their visitors. Whether it is a wine trail, an ale trail, an art walk or a wilderness adventure trail, travelers have become more and more responsive to the offering of a variety of experiences in an organized and cost-effective manner.
One of the first prosperous examples of this trend began 25 years ago in upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region when several wineries along Cayuga Lake joined together for the greater good and created a wine trail. Since this cooperative marketing effort was born, there has been no looking back. In an article by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle earlier this year, Bob Madill, President of the Cayuga Lake Trail and owner of Sheldrake Point Winery, was quoted saying, “In 1999, we saw 17,987 in the tasting room at our winery. In 2007, we saw almost 33,000. That’s because of the wine trail.”
Other industries have picked up on the benefits of this idea as well. For culture lovers, many CVBs have organized art walks and cultural trails for visitors to explore. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has several trails organized through its CVB including a Sweet and Salty snack food trail, a Market Basket Trail through farmer’s markets and an Ale Trail flaunting the many microbrews the region produces.
However, Pennsylvania’s most successful trail has nothing to do with food or drink. The Elk Scenic Drive, located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds, was the first major tourism-oriented initiative to promote the region and make the elk herd more accessible to travelers and nature lovers. The 127-mile drive directs visitors to wildlife viewing sites and scenic overlooks designed to enhance and guide their experience. Open since 2004, more than 75,000 people now travel to Winslow Hill and BenezetteTownship to view elk in September and October.
Overall, trails seem so popular because, in addition to being offered at little to no cost, they help create an inviting experience for the traveler by eliminating the need for extensive research and planning. And areas that have put together such trails, walks or drives have seen the tremendous benefits, including new business opportunities that create jobs. Today, that’s good news for everyone.
This year’s theme, Go For Green!, really hit home, concentrating on how destinations can be environmentally friendly, while attracting tourists who are seeking to minimize their carbon footprint.
Keynote speaker, Andy Dumaine, founder of shrinkingfootprint.com, kicked off the conference with an introduction of impending doom -- “the world is going to end!” Or at least, with high energy prices and airline reductions, travel as we know it will cease … and he challenged PR professionals to help make a difference.
You may well ask, what can I actually do? I can’t tell a mayor that her city needs to build a LEED-certified convention center, nor can I take a shovel and start building bike paths downtown. But that doesn’t mean we throw in the towel.
Here are just a few thoughts on how travel communicators can help save the planet:
Set an example at “home”. As a leader in destination marketing, recycle as much as possible in your office -- use recycled paper in copies and printers, reuse the reverse side of discarded pages for draft printouts when necessary, and explore ways to mitigate the effect of the business travel through carbon offset programs.
Launch a green team. Have a team of three to five people who meet once a month to discuss how to make your community more environmentally friendly. Look outside your office and include partners, and stakeholders. Going green shouldn’t be a one-person task, and everyone will benefit from the big ideas you design!
Highlight the “green” aspects of your destination, hotel or attraction. A hotel going green won’t become a feature news story anymore. But that doesn’t mean that consumers aren’t interested! Design a web page that profiles your effort to “go green.” Consider listing green packages, and showcasing what your organization is doing to become environmentally friendly.
Think Electronic. These days journalists and reporters prefer to receive press materials via email, replete with web links. And yet, how much money do destinations spend on printing glossy press packets that are often obsolete within months? Design media information for the web, and make the materials available online. Think of the trees (and money!) saved!
Be an advocate. As a destination representative, advocate for more parks, more bikeways, more recycling, and less waste.
Let us know what you’re doing in your community – and your office – to “Go Green” we’ll help you spread the word!
Whether you call it a staycation or holistay, as heard earlier this month on The Daily Show it’s clear that given the high price of gas, many Americans are rethinking their summer travel plans. However, despite John Hodgman’s assertion that a “holistay” means not leaving your home - all summer – Americans will still travel, perhaps just not as far or for quite as long as they did last year.
But for the nimble travel marketers, therein lies and opportunity. For the first time in years, the attraction down the road, the one that's always been there, and you were "going to get to someday" - just got a lot more attractive for the American traveler.
This season, Convention & Visitors Bureaus and attractions should make a strategic decision to reallocate financial resources to penetrate markets closer to home. Because of high gas prices, travelers are more open this year to exploring destinations that were not previously considered in the vacation choice mix. And destinations across the country should actively invest in campaigns designed to attract traffic from markets closer afield.
Promotions for “free gas” are the most direct tactic to moderate the “pain at the pump,” a major issue despite recent statistics in BusinessWeek, showing that rising prices add less than $100 – even with an SUV – to most typical trips. And several destinations are addressing the issue head on:
• "Come Back to the Coast," the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s radio, print and outdoor campaign within a 300-mile radius offers a $50 gas card for two night stays booked through their toll-free number, for travel completed by Labor Day.
• Hershey Entertainment and Resorts has partnered with Lukoil to offer $50 gas certificates on selected accommodation and admissions packages directed at families and couples, promoted front and center at http://www.hersheypa.com/.
Get Here + Get Going," urges Visit Pittsburgh and its Countryside, offering a $10 gas card for every night’s stay booked through visitpittsburgh.com, partnering with GetGo stores, widespread through their primary marketing area.
•
Hotels.com features their $50 gas card in their TV campaign.
And those destinations who are able to craft campaigns that provide America’s travel decision makers, a.k.a moms, with the tools they need to excite the family about this summer’s vacation plans, will see the start of a long-term marketing relationship.
Summer officially commences this week and destinations can still influence consumer purchasing decisions, even if travelers won’t need their GPS this year to find you.
How is your region responding to the prospect of “holistays”? Scroll down to “comments” below to tell us about it.
“Discover Great American Traditions” is the theme of the 25th Annual National Tourism Week, celebrated this year May 10-18. As I looked quickly through our client list tonight, I was looking at so many of the traditions – and personalities - that represent so much of the true America that visitors crave, whether they come from other countries, or other parts of the United States.
From Acoma, the longest continuously-inhabited community in the United States (of course, it wasn’t the U.S. in the 12th century, when they arrived on the mesa!), to Greater Williamsburg, VA, where travelers can step into the 17th and 18th centuries – literally! – every corner of this country is rich in opportunities for even the most time-starved vacationer.
Finger Lakes Wine Country, home to both Mark Twain and early aviator Glenn Curtiss; Denver’s arts and outdoor splendors; Indianapolis, gearing up for this year’s 500, and more; Greater Miami, playground of the world for decades; Park City, full of fun and great cuisine, winter AND summer; Pennsylvania, Metro Portland; St. Petersburg/Clearwater, whose top-ranked beaches lure visitors who love those great museums on their moments out of the sun.
But, of course, travel is one of the fastest job creators known to economic developers: even in our current economic climate, great marketing can motivate a traveler to visit destination “X” this weekend – or tomorrow, brining with them the benefits of spending on accommodations, restaurants, attractions, museum admissions, souvenirs, and the associated bed and sales taxes that fill every community’s coffers.
According to the Travel Industry Association (www.tia.org), travel and tourism is the nation's second largest services export industry, third largest retail sales industry and one of America's largest employers. It is in fact the first, second or third largest employer in 29 U.S. states.
The U.S. travel industry received more than $645 billion last year, including international passenger fares, from domestic and international travelers. Last night, we celebrated National Tourism Week here in New York with a few journalist friends.
Please join us in celebrating National Tourism Week in your own community: send photos, by clicking the “Comment” link, and let us know how your marketing efforts are succeeding.
“What’s in a name?” William Shakespeare asked. In the case of DCI, the one word answer is “plenty!”
Therein lies a double tale:
A few years ago DCI was hired by a State with not surprisingly a Governor from one of the two major political parties. Immediately after he described his decision to the press, he was attacked by the leader of the opposition party for selecting a big Washington lobbying firm closely allied with controversial political leaders which he alleged to be deeply enmeshed in “the culture of corruption”. You guessed it: they got the wrong DCI!
Now it has happened again—this time in a supposed conflict of interest by a company representing an Asian country allegedly controlled by a repressive military dictatorship. Again, a different DCI than Development Counsellors International.
SO LET'S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. THERE ARE TWO "DCI" AGENCIES. The first DCI is Development Counsellors International — headquartered in New York City, specialized in economic development and tourism marketing. We are non-partisan and non-political with clients of every color and tint in the political rainbow over the past 48 years.
The other “DCI” is titled The DCI GROUP. They are an important political lobbying organization in Washington DC with a strong tilt towards the Republican party and conservative causes.
We’re two different agencies doing different things for different sets of clients. Now that we’ve got that straight we can move on to other things!
“Make it easy to buy” is Rule #1 for any sales success: and in late March DiscoverAmerica.com will do just that for international travelers interested in visiting the United States.
Described as “America’s ultimate CVB” and designed to be a one-stop shop, with extensive information on American destinations (states and cities), activities, U.S. travel policies and trip booking options, the site is co-sponsored by the Travel Industry Association and Travelocity.
“With overseas travel to the U.S. down 11 percent since 2000, DiscoverAmerica.com is one step in creating a warm welcome and invitation to come and visit,” TIA’s Greg Staley told me. “For the first time, our travel policies, destination and activity information, and booking opportunities will be housed on an official U.S. travel and tourism Web site.”
Developed through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the site will reach the top five inbound markets to the U.S. which account for about 75 percent or 37 million international visitors to the U.S. each year. Information will be available in English for consumers in the UK and Canada, and will be fully translated into French, German, Japanese and Spanish for consumers in Canada, Germany, Japan, and Mexico.
No question, it’s a wonderful thing: and long overdue.
But in each of those target countries - and most others around the world – there is an official national tourist office that fulfills the role that TIA and Travelocity have stepped in to fill, from our biggest market, the UK to Australia and even Tasmania, Chile and Dubai.
For many years, this most pervasive of industries was the ONLY one in which the US had a favorable balance of payments. In the United States and around the world, the tourism industry is unquestionably one of the top job creators and generators of revenue (foreign exchange, in the case of international travelers, sorely needed at this time of a soft dollar).
In Miami, for example, one in every five households benefits in some way from the tourism industry – and many of those travelers are international.
Perhaps it’s time to ask the Presidential candidates their position on encouraging travel to the US – and re-establishing an official US National Tourist Office that would support one of our country’s most important industries at Cabinet level!
What do you think? Just scroll below to post your comments!
What was your organizational or community highlight in 2007? We posed that question during the last week of the year to tourism and economic development executives throughout the world. Some 40 responses – DCI clients and non-clients alike - came in from places that stretched from Puerto Rico to Portland, Toledo to Tasmania. The answers were as varied as the locations. The Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl. Colorado became the 2nd largest state in private sector aerospace employment. Chile was ranked the 16th safest and most peaceful nation in the world. The full responses can be found below, catalogued in alphabetical order by country, state and city. And if you’re not represented, that’s easily remedied: Scroll to the bottom and leave your own comment! Many thanks, and Happy New Year!
AUSTRALIA
Tasmania: We launched our new 3-year Strategic Plan - "New Directions," and by the end of 2007 we were seeing real results with increased preference and intention to visit Tasmania, increases in visitor numbers, but most importantly, increases in length of stay and visitor expenditure. Yes Tasmania is small, yes it is separate from the rest Australia and yes it is a bit more difficult to get to than say Sydney or Melbourne, but for those who have visited - they know it was worth the effort! For those who are yet to experience what Tasmania has to offer, what are you waiting for?!!! – Felicia Mariani, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Tasmania (http://www.discovertasmania.com/au)
CHILE
Chile this year was rated by the Global Peace Index, a study sponsored by the Economist magazine, as the 16th safest and most peaceful nation in the world out of 121 studied. Citing a lack of corruption, a solid political base, low crime and a sound economy, Chile was ranked ahead of all other Latin American nations, and even ranked higher than countries such as Australia and France - Pablo Moll Vargas, Gerente General, Turismo Chile (www.visitchile.org)
UNITED STATES
ALABAMA
Covington County: Several enterprises made major commitments to locate at the South Alabama Regional Airport near Andalusia, Alabama in 2007. Acro Helipro Global, Sierra Nevada Corp. and Advanced Airlift LLC will create over 600 high- wage, high- skill aircraft maintenance, and manufacturing jobs in Covington County. Five new large hangars totaling over 120,000 square feet will be constructed at the airport in 2008. The Covington County Economic Development Commission began marketing aviation operations in 2003 - Tucson Roberts President, Covington County Economic Development Commission (http://www.southalabamaed.com/)
Huntsville: The opening of the $130 million HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama and the announcement of Dr. Rick Meyers, chair of genetics at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Human Genome Center, as its scientific director. When Dr. Meyers completes the move of his laboratories and research staff from Stanford to Huntsville in 2008, HudsonAlpha will become the world’s fifth largest pure genomic research institute. The last time Huntsville helped mankind take a “giant leap”, it was on the moon. This time it is in the advancement of personalized medicine and improvement of the human condition here on earth. -- Ethan Hadley, Vice President, Economic Development Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville/Madison County (www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com)
Mobile: The announcement of the ThyssenKrupp facility in North Mobile County. The project will be a $3.7 billion capital investment with 2,700 permanent jobs and an estimated 29,000 construction jobs over the next three years – Bill Sisson, VP of Economic Development, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.mobilechamber.com/)
CALIFORNIA
Irvine: The City of Irvine event of 2007 was the launch of the Orange Balloon over the Orange County Great Park. – Jacquie Ellis, President & CEO, Irvine Chamber of Commerce (http://irvinechamber.com/)
San Fernando Valley: Our "biggie" for the year was pulling off the first-ever "Hire a Hero - Hire a Vet" Job Fair & Expo - focused entirely on returning military personnel and recent retirees. It was a joint partnership between the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and the State of California Employment Development Department (another first!) and it turned out to be the largest Job Fair of its kind in the nation! Over 150 business in the Expo actively recruiting potential employees and over 2,000 applicants showed up for the half-day event. Close to 500 of those who showed up were military related – Bruce Ackerman, President and CEO, Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley (http://www.economicalliance.org/)
San Joaquin Valley: USG Corporation (NYSE: USG) United States Gypsum Company subsidiary plans to build a new SHEETROCK® brand gypsum panel manufacturing plant in Stockton, California. The new low-cost wallboard plant will utilize state-of-the-art technology to position the company competitively to meet long-term West Coast demand for wallboard. The $240 million plant to be built at the port of Stockton is expected to commence operations in 2010 - Michael E. Locke, President & CEO, San Joaquin Partnership (www.sjpnet.org)
COLORADO
Colorado becoming the #2 state in private sector aerospace employment, surpassing Texas and Florida in the past three years - Tom Clark, Executive Vice President, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (http://www.metrodenver.org/)
Denver: The Miracle on Blake Street -- the Colorado Rockies set a baseball record winning 22 of their last 23 games to play in their first World Series - Rich Grant Communications Director, Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (http://www.denver.org/)
FLORIDA
Miami-Dade County: Clearly the continued strength of the Miami-Dade economy, the region leading the state in job growth, the lowest unemployment rates since they've been keeping records, diversification of economy and strong direct foreign investment - Frank Nero, President and CEO, The Beacon Council (http://www.beaconcouncil.com/web/)
Greater Miami: At the World Travel Awards in London, GMCVB was named North America’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau, based on a global survey of travel professionals. We also received our Destination Marketing International Association (DMAI) accreditation – a distinction held by only six percent of the CVBs in the world – William D.Talbert, III, President and CEO, Greater Miami Convention& Visitors Bureau (http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/Index.asp)
St. Petersburg/Clearwater: Under the direction of new Executive Director DT Minich, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB was rebranded as “Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.” The effort also included the unveiling of a sleek new logo, the launching of foreign-language versions of www.floridasbeach.com, and the publication of a completely redesigned and expanded Visitors Guide – David Downing, Public Relations Director, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB (http://www.floridasbeach.com/)
Tampa Bay: From a fun, community perspective, I would say it’s the USF Bulls football team who received lots of press coverage for upsetting top teams such as West Virginia and Auburn. The 2007 season was their first in the AP poll, and they made it all the way to #2 at one point – short lived but they are playing in their first bowl game on New Year’s Day – the Sun Bowl against the Oregon Ducks. From a business perspective, I would have to say the passage of TBARTA (Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority) - Jennifer Taylor, Vice-President Business Development, Tampa Bay Partnership (www.tampabay.org)
INDIANA
Indianapolis: The Colts win the Super Bowl! - Karissa Rittmeyer, Communications Coordinator, Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (http://www.indy.org/)
LOUISIANA
$150 million Megafund: Created by House Bill 615 of the 2007 Legislature, it is a special economic development fund that provides immediate money to secure “mega projects.” Firms that create 500 new jobs in the state and make a minimum initial investment of $100 million are eligible; the state can’t provide more than 30 percent of the total project cost -- Michael J. Olivier, Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development (http://www.louisianaforward.com/)
Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge area was selected as the 43rd best city for jobs by Forbes Magazine (2nd largest year over year increase), the 59th best city for doing business by Inc. magazine (also the 2nd largest year over year increase), and one of the best markets for real estate by BusinessWeek." – Mike Odom, VP of Marketing and Communications, Baton Rouge Area Chamber (www.brac.org).
NEVADA
Carson City: Having the Nevada State Legislature appropriate $500,000.00 for NNDA to begin the implementation of its visioning study: NorthernNVision – Imagine the Future - Ron Weisinger, Executive Director, Northern Nevada Development Authority (http://www.nnda.org/)
NEW MEXICO
Acoma: Acoma became the 1st Native American National Historic Trust Site (May 6, 2007) in the World and also being recognized as being the #1 Native American destination in the United States by USA Today! -- Phil Robertson, Acoma Business Enterprises Publicity Manager, Sky City (http://skycity.com/)
Finger Lakes Wine Country: The 2007 highlight for Finger Lakes Wine Country was developing a wine submission strategy for Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. It is very exciting for this developing wine and tourism region to begin getting the recognition it truly deserves -- Morgen McLaughlin, President, Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association (www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com)
Hudson Valley: Port Authority of NY and NJ takes over Stewart Airport. 500 million dollars to be invested. – Anthony Campagiorni, President & CEO, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (http://hvedc.com/)
Ithaca: BorgWarner Morse TEC announced plans to invest over $47 million create 174 jobs to produce its new Variable Cam Timing (VCT) product line in Ithaca, New York. The company is pledging to secure more than 1,300 jobs in its existing facility and is relocating its manufacturing facility from Oklahoma to Ithaca - Stephen Kimball, Director of Marketing and Development, Tompkins County Area Development (www.tcad.org)
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte: Charlotte’s accessibility got even better in 2007 with the new intermodal facility at Charlotte Douglas International Airport groundbreaking, increased traffic that boosted the airport to the nation’s 10th busiest, completion of another leg of the I-485 loop and the inauguration of Charlotte’s first light rail line. These enhanced transportation options, along with the opening of the North Carolina Research Campus Core Lab that is transforming the old Pillowtex textile mill into the site of cutting-edge, cooperative biotech discoveries, helped fuel Charlotte USA’s 2007 economic growth – Ronnie Bryant, President and CEO, Charlotte Regional Partnership (www.charlotteusa.com)
NORTH DAKOTA
Reaching the 2,000 mark for the North Dakota Ambassadors program. The volunteer program was launched in 2003 with the goal of providing friends of the state with a more formal way to give back or leave their legacy in North Dakota. We began 2007 with about 1,100 Ambassadors (representing three years of recruiting) and decided 2007 was the year to grow. Our program director Pamela Trhlik led the way and successfully achieved the goal of 2,000 nearly four months ahead of schedule! In support of this effort, DCI conducted a survey of North Dakota Ambassadors over the summer. Around 1,500 Ambassadors received the survey and nearly 600 responded! We received 77 pages of amazing suggestions on how to improve the state’s economy and its image – all from people who care deeply about the state –Tracy Finneman, North Dakota Department of Commerce (http://www.luvnd.com)
OHIO
Toledo: The continued success in developing a knowledge-based economy. The RGP received an additional $3.2 million in state funding ($15 million total) toward the development of Rocket Ventures and its pre-seed venture fund for investment in technology based businesses. In addition, our Launch program, through a $350,000 state grant, continued to evolve in its ability to provide business assistance services to tech-based, start-up companies – John Gibney, Marketing Director, Regional Growth Partnership (http://www.rgp.org/)
OREGON
Portland: Probably the biggest kudo for Portland this year was the Food Network selecting Portland as its most delicious destination for 2007. The award was giving during the inaugural Food Network Awards on April 15, 2007 - Deborah H. Wakefield, Vice President of Communications & Public Relations, Travel Portland (http://www.travelportland.com/)
PENNSYLVANIA
In July, 2007, The Governor and the legislature passed a $75million tax credit for filmmakers in Pennsylvania. The law requires that at least 60% of total production budget be spent in PA, and the production is eligible for a 25% tax credit on their PA spend. The response to the new law has been incredible for filmmaking in PA, and we have received over 80 applications -- Jane Saul, Director, PA Film Office (http://www.filminpa.com/filminpa/about.jsp)
Pittsburgh: Winning Westinghouse's new 900,000 square foot, 3,000 job headquarters campus. This is the largest single tenant Class A office campus in the history of Pennsylvania - Bernie McShea, Senior Vice President, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (http://www.alleghenyconference.org/PRA/)
PUERTO RICO
St. Jude Medical announced the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Puerto Rico, adding 1,200 new jobs at a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Arecibo, which in conjunction with its existing operations in Caguas, will increase St. Jude's total workforce on the Island to 1,700 within a 3-year period. The expansion represents an investment of $220 million -- Enrique A. Mirandés, Esq, Director - Life Sciences, Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (www.pridco.com)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston: We've been blessed with several world-class project announcements during this past year, as well as national developers selecting our market to develop significant speculative office and industrial parks. However, after thinking more about it, one of the most significant highlights for our region this past year, in our view, occurred during the first week in December: The "Reality Check" visioning exercise, sponsored by the Urban Land Institute, pulled together political, business and community leaders from throughout the three-county Charleston region as a first step toward a collaborative, long-term regional growth plan - David Ginn, President & CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance (http://www.crda.org/)
Columbia: In 2007, capital investment in the Central South Carolina Region soars over $1 billion – David King, Director, Marketing & New Industry Central SC Alliance (www.centralsc.org)
TEXAS
Fort Worth: In 2007, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 125th anniversary with several celebrations and the launch of two new initiatives: Vision Fort Worth for young professionals age 21-40; and Women Influencing Business, a series of programs and benefits for women business owners and executives. The Chamber also helped form and is incubating the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council, a community resource that provides information to the public about gas drilling and production in the Barnett Shale region in North Texas. There are more than 6,000 producing wells in the region, and hundreds being drilled annually within the Fort Worth city limits – Andra Bennett, Director of Communications, Fort Worth Chamber (www.fortworthchamber.com)
UTAH
Park City: All three resorts in Park City graced the top 20 best ski resorts in North America, awarded by SKI magazine - Stephanie Nitsch, Communications Coordinator, The Park City Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau (http://www.parkcityinfo.com/)
Salt Lake City: Salt Lake Voted Best Tap Water in U.S. by Today Show -- Two wine tasters sampled water from
several US cities and voted Salt Lake best! Bottoms Up! - Dave Allred, Public Relations Director, Richter7 Advertising and Public Relations (http://www.richter7pr.com/)
VERMONT
The work our Agency did in recruiting businesses to relocate or expand here, including JELD-WEN in North Springfield and Plasan USA in Bennington, creating more good jobs for Vermonters - David A. Mace, Director of Communications, Vt. Agency of Commerce and Community Development (www.dca.state.vt.us)
WASHINGTON
Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire named Public Official of the year by Governing Magazine. Governor Gregoire has developed a new 10 year Economic Development plan called the The Next Washington. She has been very supportive of Economic Development and Tourism, helping raise the profile and funding for local economic development councils and that state tourism office - George H. Sharp, Marketing Manager, International Trade and Economic Development Division, State of Washington, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development: www.ChooseWashington.com
Washington finally gets a rainy day fund! - Rebecca Japhet, Communications Director, Washington State Senate, Republican Caucus
