AUGUST 2006

Welcome to News & Notes online, a monthly publication of the Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau. Click below to jump to a story.

In this issue of News & Notes, you won’t want to miss a letter from CVB President Bob McCoy about the importance of advocacy to our industry, an interesting promotional partnership between the CVB and the Humane Society that you would only find in the City of the Arts, a unique car show coming to our city, hotel renovations, and much more. Enjoy.

NOTE FROM BOB McCOY, PRESIDENT

WINSTON-SALEM IS GOING TO THE DOGS (AND CATS)!

THE WINSTON-SALEM CVB BRINGS HOME THE LUCITE

THE CONCOURS DÉ GRAYLYN IS COMING

CVB HIGHLIGHTS THREE NEW EMPLOYEES

COSMOPOLITAN DESCRIBES WINSTON-SALEM HOTEL RENOVATIONS

WINSTON-SALEM'S SLEEP INN NAMED INN OF THE YEAR

MARKETING PLAN AND BUDGET AVAILABLE

Note from Bob McCoy, President
One important aspect of the work of our Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority and the Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau is advocacy. Representing the interests of our constituents within the travel and tourism sector of Forsyth County’s economy is important to our long term welfare.  Advocacy on behalf of issues that impact us means having a seat at the table, being heard, and generally being involved in solving and preventing problems; and more importantly, being tuned in at the right time to proactively drive issues that affect us in a positive and sensible manner.  We make our opinions known on a variety of issues, many of which do not immediately come to mind as relating to travel and tourism. But when one stops to think about any issue, most do affect our businesses on some level.

Advocacy that generates a successful outcome is simply a matter of prioritizing which issue may be the most important at any given time.  Environmental issues such as “acid rain”, hog lagoon pollution, beach erosion, clean air, litter, clean water, and many more can have both a direct and indirect impact on our business levels.  For example, if North Carolina has a reputation as a state that ignores excessive littering, visitors will hear about it and may well pass us by in favor of a more pristine destination.  Like everyone else, visitors appreciate a clean, safe and beautiful environment.  So, we strongly support environmental issues that affect visitor decisions, and in turn affect the quality of life for those of us who live here. 

Tax issues are also critical.  Did you know that in 1983 our state legislature, at the request of Forsyth County friends of tourism, enacted one of the very first occupancy tax statutes in North Carolina?  At that time tourism leaders, including CVBs, hotels, attractions, and many others, got together and drafted an occupancy tax bill to present to our general assembly and our county commissioners.  The genius of that original bill is that the burden of the tax is borne by visitors, not local citizens, and the expenditure of the collections is earmarked specifically for promotional purposes to increase travel and tourism into our county.  More visitors = more tax revenues.  More tax revenues = more promotional dollars directed at bringing more visitors.  And on it goes.  Forsyth County’s tourism sector, generates its own promotional money which is put to work to increase visitor spending throughout our county.  We work to help ourselves.  It’s as simple as that.  Occupancy tax legislation, when written wisely like Forsyth County’s, provides for the cleanest, smartest, most logical and fair taxation policy in existence.

Bob McCoy
President


Winston-Salem is going to the dogs (and cats)!
Winston-Salem is going to the dogs (and cats); fiberglass ones, that is.  The
Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has partnered with the Forsyth County Humane Society to promote a unique exhibit of dogs and cats. Called Art Unleashed, it is a must see for both visitors and locals.  These 45 fiberglass dogs and cats, each uniquely designed by local artists, have been placed at businesses throughout the Arts District and downtown, as well as Hanes Mall.  Maps showing the locations of these artisitc pets are available at the Winston-Salem Visitor Center.

In addition to serving as foster home to Artie, the Cat with a Checkered Past, the Visitor Center is featuring an exhibition of the prototype drawings of the animals, along with photos of several of the artists at work. The exhibit is open daily, with viewing hours from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Additionally, the CVB is featuring Art Unleashed on our Web site, visitwinstonsalem.com.  To make sure that no member of the family gets left out when planning for summer travel, the Web site also contains information on Forsyth County pet friendly hotels! 

This exhibit of artistic animals, which began on April 29th, will continue until August 26th when there will be an auction to raise funds for the Forsyth County Humane Society.  This auction will support such programs as the “No Kill” Adoption Shelter and educational outreach programs. 

The Winston-Salem CVB brings home the Lucite
The Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) won a record number of awards at the recent annual meeting of The North Carolina Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (NCACVB).  At the meeting, held June 8-9 in Southern Pines, North Carolina, the CVB was presented four awards from the association for excellence in destination marketing. 

Our awards included a platinum award for Best Constituent Communication for this publication, News & Notes. Platinum is the highest recognition given, with gold being second place.

The CVB was also awarded a platinum award for Best Consumer Print Advertising (in the leisure advertising category) for the “Build Your Own Yadkin Valley Postcard” ad.  This ad was developed as part of the program funded by the Golden L.E.A.F Foundation to market the Yadkin Valley and it’s wineries as a visitor destination. 

Additionally, the CVB received a platinum award for Best Consumer Print Advertising (in the meeting planner category) for an ad featuring testimonials from local meeting planners Nancy Holder, Nancy B. Holder & Associates, and Claudette Weston, Weston & Associates. 

Finally, the CVB was awarded a gold award for Best Destination Marketing Initiative for Cultural Corridors.  Cultural Corridors is a regional collaboration funded by the North Carolina Arts Council to develop a series of five thematic recorded drive narratives that direct travelers to visitor attractions in Forsyth County and the region.  These narratives on CDs and cassette tapes are offered free of charge at the Winston-Salem Visitor Center. 

Kudos to the CVB’s marketing and communications staff for bringing home this presitgous recognition!

The Concours dé Graylyn is Coming
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, concours is defined as “a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on excellence of appearance”.  That’s what is happening in Winston-Salem the weekend of September 15-17 when the inaugural Concours dé Graylyn rolls into town showcasing more than 200 vintage automobiles and motorcycles, some being
one-of-a-kind vehicles worth more than one million dollars.

Included in the display will be a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom II, owned and driven by Ernest Hemmingway.  This car won the Paris Auto Salon in 1929.  The interior of the car has gone largely untouched and is in its original condition.  Hemmingway’s cigar ashes are still in the ashtray and pencils from Havana that he wrote with are intact. This car, along with other vintage vehicles, and original art from Associated Artists of Winston-Salem will be auctioned on Saturday, September 16, at Graylyn beginning at 1:30pm. 

On Friday evening, September 15, four of the cars will be available for viewing free of charge at the M.C. Benton Jr. Convention & Civic Center during the “Rock the Block” festival.  Special events will also be taking place at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) and the Reynolda House, Museum of American Art that weekend.

There is a fee for admission to the event.  For more information click here.

CVB Highlights Three New Employees
Meet some of the newest members of the Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau team - (from left to right) Brian Winfrey, office manager, Paula Mansfield, director of sales and Casey Hough, media manager.

Paula is a native of Winston-Salem and has a strong background in sales, sales management and marketing. Her role here is to manage and direct the entire sales effort including strategic planning, market share management, direct sales, supervision and direction of tradeshow participation, promotional event production and management, and all other group sales activities focused on increasing room night consumption within Forsyth County lodging facilities. Paula is very active in the community serving on several boards and committees. She has two sons, one of whom is in training to become a jet fighter pilot and the other a nuclear engineer. When she is not wearing her CVB hat, Paula enjoys skiing, gardening, hiking, reading and traveling.

Casey is a recent graduate of the marketing program at Appalachian State University. Among his many responsibilities, Casey is the industry’s contact for ensuring that the CVB receives, edits and disseminates up-to-date information about hotel properties, attractions and events, and any other information of interest to our many media contacts, the traveling public, our constituents, and local citizens. He is also charged with our electronic marketing programs both inbound (data collection, surveys, email list development, etc.), and outbound (Web site advertising, blogging, email consumer information outreach, etc.). Casey is the “keeper” of the CVB’s official Web site and works hard to keep its content current and accurate. He is a native of Eden, North Carolina and is a big sports fan, catching as many Wake Forest and ASU sporting events as possible.

Brian is also a native of Winston-Salem, graduating from Western Carolina University with a degree in business administration. As office manager, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CVB including management of all vendor contracts, accounts payable, accounts receivable and building maintenance. Brian enjoys playing golf and mentors undergraduate students through the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was recently engaged to be married and his fiancée, Emily, is a nurse.

Contact Paula (336.728.4212/ pmansfield@wscvb.com), Casey (336.728.4217/ chough@wscvb.com) and Brian (336.728.4219/ bwinfrey@wscvb.com) to welcome them to the CVB, or for any assistance you might need.


Cosmopolitan Describes Winston-Salem Hotel Renovations
With the multi-million dollar renovations of six hotels in Winston-Salem, we have transformed the quality of our hotel inventory to rival that of any first-tier city in the country. The Sundance Plaza Hotel & Spa, The Courtyard by Marriott - University, The Courtyard by Marriott - Hanes Mall, The Holiday Inn Select, and The Embassy Suites and The Marriott in the Twin City Quarter have all transformed their properties into retreats of sleeping comfort, state-of-the-art design and the very latest in technology for meetings. 

Here are the details:

The Courtyard by Marriott-Hanes Mall
Winston-Salem, NC
336.760.5777
Managed by Noble Investment Group
122 rooms
4 suites, three with whirlpool spas
3 meeting rooms with 1,450 square feet of meeting space

• The Market (various snacks, drinks, microwave items, beer and wine)
• Addition of a business library, featuring individual workstations with high-speed data ports and ergonomic chairs
• Addition of a lounge area where guests can work, meet and dine
• Redesigned front desk that allows more guest interaction
• New task lighting and extra power outlets are conveniently located at desk level in each room
• All new heavenly beds and linens
• High-speed Internet access
• Wireless Internet access throughout the hotel
• Exercise room
• Guest laundry

• Addition of free high-speed and wireless Internet in each room
• All new soft goods and heavenly bedding
• In-room iron and ironing board
• 25-inch television with HBO and Showtime
• Valet and guest laundry
• Full-service breakfast restaurant
• Complimentary afternoon snacks
• The Market (various snacks, drinks, microwave items, beer and wine)

Clarion Sundance Plaza Hotel & Spa
3050 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC
336.723.2911
Managed by PMI Management
Owned by Michael Geissler
150 Rooms
8 Suites
9 Meeting Rooms
9,000 square feet of meeting space

• Renovated lobby and restaurant
• Added aerobics/exercise room
• Completely remodeled banquet hallway including the addition of three meeting rooms
• Replaced carpet with marble flooring in public hallways
• New carpet in guest rooms and hallways
• Added textured walls, double crown molding, granite countertops, framed bath mirrors and changed to larger shower rods in all guest rooms
• Added CD alarm clocks, microfridges, & personal safes in all rooms
• Each executive floor room contains art by local artists, which showcases and provides opportunities for guests to purchase the works of emerging and established local artists

Holiday Inn Select
5790 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC
336.767.9595
Managed by CMS Hotels
150 Rooms
12 Suites
5 Meeting Rooms
9,000 square feet of meeting space

• Complete hotel renovation including guest rooms, meeting space, public areas and food and beverage outlets
• New bedding and soft goods
• Marble lobby that includes sculpture by a local artist

Embassy Suites Winston-Salem
460 N. Cherry Street
Winston-Salem, NC
336.724.2300
Managed by Noble Investment Group
147 Suites
23 Meeting Rooms
58,489 square feet of meeting space

• Complete hotel renovation including guest rooms, meeting space, public areas and food and beverage outlets
• Redesigned exterior of building to add entrance to WS Prime Steakhouse
• Other additions include new furnishings, carpet, wall coverings, window coverings, heavenly bedding, a casual-dining restaurant, Starbucks coffee shop, retail shops and a furrier

Marriott Hotel Winston-Salem
425 N. Cherry Street
Winston-Salem, NC
336.725.3500
Managed by Noble Investment Group
315 Rooms
6 Suites
15 meeting rooms
12,771 square feet of meeting space

• Complete hotel renovation of guest rooms, meeting space, public area and food and beverage outlets
• Other additions include new furnishings, Marriott bedding package, carpet, wall coverings, window coverings, and an upscale southern-style steakhouse and lounge

Winston-Salem’s Sleep Inn Named Inn of the Year
Congratulations to Sleep Inn – Hanes Mall for surpassing guests’ expectations for cleanliness and customer service.  At the Choice Hotels annual convention in June, Sleep Inn – Hanes Mall was presented the 2006 award for Sleep Inn of the Year, the highest recognition given to a hotel in the Sleep Inn chain. 

Charles A. Ledsinger, CEO and President of Choice Hotels, said “This year’s winning hotels are those that adhere to Choice’s highest standards for hotel quality and brand consistency”.

Art Williams, the General Manager, received the award on behalf of his staff and owner, Quality Oil. Art has been a member of Sleep Inn team for the past eight years, six of which the hotel has been awarded the prestigious Hospitality Gold property recognition. Let’s give Art and his staff a round of applause for this special recognition.


Marketing Plan and Budget Available
The CVB's Marketing Plan and Budget for 2006-2007, adopted by the TDA at its May 16th meeting is now available. Click here to view. For questions, contact Carmen Caruth at 336.728.4204 or email her at ccaruth@wscvb.com.



• Eat my Dust! July 22nd-October 6th, SECCA, 750 Marguerite Drive, 336.725.1904, Gallery hours Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, 2:00pm-5:00pm, www.secca.org
• Not An Ocean Between Us May 30th-March 20th 2007, Winston-Salem State University, Diggs Gallery, 336. 750.2458, Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00am-5:00pm, www.wssu.edu
• Bug Jar Art August 5th-12th, Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 South Liberty Street, 336.723.9111, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30am-5:00pm and Sunday, 1:00pm-5:00pm, www.childrensmuseumofws.org
• Carolina Kennel Club Dog Show August 11th-13th, LJVM Coliseum Annex & Ed Building, 414 Deacon Blvd., 336.727.2978, 8:00am-5:00pm, www.ljvm.com

See More Events

The Visitor Center, located at 200 Brookstown Avenue just south of downtown in the historic Brookstown Mill area, is open 8:30am-5:00pm daily. Parking is available on the street, as well as behind the center, at no charge. For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 336.728.4200.

Greater Winston-Salem Sports Commission (GWSSC)
August 10, 8:00am, at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum. RSVP to Yvonne Dickson at 336.725.5635 x402.

Forsyth County Tourism Alliance (FCTA)
August 9, 12:00 noon, at the Comfort Suites. For details, contact Phoebe Thomas at 336.728.4206. Lunch is provided.
 
Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority (FCTDA)
August 15th , 12:00 noon, at the Winston-Salem Children's Museum, Room G. RSVP to Phoebe Thomas at 336.728.4206. Lunch is provided.

You can find the TDA meeting minutes and agendas, and the CVB operations report at http://www.visitwinstonsalem.com/fctda.

July 2006

See more

-The Hotel of the Month program provides increased exposure to local hotel partners while helping the CVB gather valuable information on the travel preferences of our visitors.  Each month, visitors that return the CVB’s visitor preferences survey are entered into a drawing for a weekend getaway provided by the featured hotel for the month.  In turn, the featured hotel receives special recognition at the Winston-Salem Visitor Center and on the CVB’s web site, visitwinstonsalem.com, as well as a mention in this newsletter. To learn more about how your hotel can participate in the program, contact Pat Dosier at 336.728.4200 or email her at pdosier@wscvb.com.

Days Inn - Hanes Mall
3330 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem  27103
800.329.7466 • 336.760.4770 • Fax: 336.760.1085
For more details on this initiative, contact the Visitor Center Manager
at 336.728.4213 

July 2006