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MTCVB Partners | Sales, Marketing & PR | Mexico Marketing | Tucson Film Office
Opportunities | Bureau Drawer
MTCVB PARTNERS
Downtown Detour: A Communication Map for Business
With a variety of downtown roadwork projects underway, visitors may have concerns about accessing downtown businesses. On Tuesday, August 28 from 8:30–10:30 a.m., the MTCVB is hosting an educational seminar at the Tucson Convention Center to let our partners and community know how to address complaints and keep customers knocking on their door. For information on downtown improvement projects, click here. For details about this informative communication workshop and to RSVP, click here.
Tucson Ambassadors Program Classes
Seventy Tucson tourism partners have earned their Certified Tourism Ambassador™ (CTA) designations after receiving training through the new Tucson Ambassadors Program (TAP). The TAP promotes tourism by inspiring front-line hospitality employees and volunteers to work together and turn every visitor encounter into a positive, memorable experience. The MTCVB Partner Development department recently launched the program and facilitates the monthly classes at participating MTCVB partner businesses. The August class is full, but others are available. The class schedule, application, and other information are online at TucsonAmbassadors.org.
Online Tradeshows & Events Registration
MTCVB partners can register online when partnering with the bureau on upcoming shows and events. Registration forms can be accessed at visitTucson.org under “MTCVB Partners, “Events,” and "Tradeshow & Event Opportunities” (or by clicking here). For information and assistance, contact LaRee Murphy at 770-2125 or lmurphy@visitTucson.org.
New Partners & Anniversaries
See which partners are celebrating anniversaries with the MTCVB, and get to know those who have just joined. Current listings are available at our New Partners & Anniversaries page at VisitTucson.org, under MTCVB Partners. Click here to see current listings.
SALES, MARKETING & PR
RSS Feeds on Website Media Section
Anyone can easily receive the latest upcoming Tucson events and news releases from the MTCVB website using RSS feeds. The RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an XML-based format for content distribution. Media and interested others, such as MTCVB partners, can go to the Media section at visitTucson.org, or click here, and subscribe to the feeds and view them in their own news-readers. These feeds include headlines, summaries, and links back to visitTucson.org for details (a full event listing and/or press release). RSS feeds are free.
Mrs. America Returns to Tucson
The Mrs. America production returns to Tucson for the second year on August 22. PR Division staff is working with the production crew to host the event and ensure access to key Tucson destination drivers for exposure during the nationally broadcast event. MTCVB partners and Tucson’s natural beauty will be highlighted as the contestants’ experiences are filmed “reality style” for inclusion in the final piece. The stage event will be taped live at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Wednesday, Sept. 5. Last year, Tucsonan Diana Tucker won the title and went on to take the Mrs. World title in a competition in Russia. More information on the event and contestants can be found at www.MrsAmerica.com.
ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo
MTCVB Convention Sales division staff and five hoteliers will represent Tucson, as a premier meeting and conventions destination, at the Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), August 11–14. As a featured strategic partner of ASAE, the MTCVB team will exhibit from a priority booth location. Members of ASAE manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies, and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the globe, and provide products and services to the association community.
Scientific Associations Convention
The MTCVB continues to pursue meetings and conventions business from the engineering and science industries. Recently the MTCVB became a sponsor of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), a membership organization of representatives from the science and engineering industries. An MTCVB Convention Sales Manager participated in last month’s CESSE annual convention, which was attended by about 700 society members. The MTCVB met with association representatives and provided information on Tucson.
Hotel Concierge Tour
A one-day tour of Tucson and Southern Arizona attractions lured 40 concierges from Tucson and Phoenix hotels, July 25. The Concierge FAM was a joint effort of the MTCVB and the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance to boost attendance at regional attractions. The FAM included a tradeshow/luncheon featuring 22 attractions at Old Tucson Studios, followed by three different tour options at six attractions (Kartchner Caverns State Park, Pima Air & Space Museum, Arizona State Museum, Arizona Theatre Company, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Tucson Museum of Art). The attractions provided refreshments, tour guides, and literature for the operators.
French Tour Operators Visit
The MTCVB recently participated in the Arizona Office of Tourism’s first FAM trip for tour operators from France. During the Southern Arizona portion of the statewide FAM, guests experienced the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with a resort and ranch stay (complete with a horseback trail ride) and visits to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Mission San Xavier del Bac. Only one member of the group had previously visited Arizona.
MEXICO MARKETING
Tucson Visitor Center, Hermosillo
The MTCVB’s Tucson Visitor Center branch in Hermosillo, Sonora had a remarkable first year. Between March 2006 and June 2007 the Visitor Center served more than 3,000 walk-in visitors and assisted with more than 1,000 lodging reservations. Hermosillo staff distributed marketing materials in Spanish (provided by MTCVB partners) and answered telephone inquiries from throughout Mexico. Every year, 22 million Mexican travelers visit Metropolitan Tucson and, of the $1 billion spent in Arizona annually, create $360 million in econmic impact for the city.
Mexico Visitor Survey
The MTCVB is partnering with the Arizona Office of Tourism and the University of Arizona to conduct a survey of visitors from Mexico and their spending habits. The goal is to interview more than 2,000 Mexican citizens as they return to Mexico. How much money visitors spend in Arizona will help determine how to better serve these visitors. Alberta Charney, senior research economist for the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, said the survey results and subsequent report should be ready by next summer.
TUCSON FILM OFFICE
5th Year for Latino Producers Academy
For the fifth year in a row, Tucson’s chapter of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers’ (NALIP) will host the Latino Producers Academy (LPA), August 7–17. The Tucson Film Office coordinates this signature NALIP event at multiple locations throughout Tucson. More than 150 filmmakers from Los Angeles and New York City attended last year with the objective of developing selected feature film and documentary projects. NALIP is a national membership organization that addresses the professional needs of Latino/Latina independent producers.
Cineposium Conference & Telluride Festival
Tucson Film Office staff will hone their skills at the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Cineposium, August 27–30, in Santa Fe, and then head to the Telluride Film Festival during Labor Day weekend and market Tucson to an international gathering of film professionals. The Cineposium 2007 is a two-day professional development conference for film commissioners who assist film, television, and video production throughout the world. Telluride Film Festival is one of the world's most prestigious showcases for film. For more TFO activities, visit filmTucson.com.
OPPORTUNITIES
First Tuesday: MTCVB Tourism Marketing Update
Tuesday, Aug. 7, 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m., Arizona Inn. Tucson leisure tourism marketing news, with Beah Blackledge, MTCVB Director of Tourism. Sponsored by the Jewish Heritage Center. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
Partner Orientation & Refresher
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 8:30–10 a.m., MTCVB Administrative Office, 100 S. Church Ave. Free. Learn specific tips and ideas for making the most of your partnership with the MTCVB. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
Downtown Detour: A Communication Map for Business
Tuesday, Aug. 28, 8:30–10:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. registration/continental breakfast), Tucson Convention Center. Panel of city and business officials offers suggestions for business owners concerned about attracting customers during downtown-area roadwork projects. Workshop is free for MTCVB partners; $10 all others. For details, click here.
First Tuesday: Success Continues at the Fox Tucson Theatre
Tuesday, Sept. 4, 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m., Arizona Inn. Herb Stratford, Executive Director, Fox Tucson Theatre. Sponsored by University of Phoenix. For details, or to RSVP, click here. Meet & See: Cowboy Cookout at Cocoraque Ranch
Saturday, Sept. 15, 5–8 p.m., Cocoraque Ranch and Pavilion. Cowboy fun for the entire family, with dinner of ranch-style vittles, hosted at historic working ranch west of Tucson Mountains. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
First Tuesday: Tucson's Musical Jewel
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m., Arizona Inn. George Hanson, Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Director and Conductor, discusses the TSO’s 79th season. Sponsored by Tucson Botanical Gardens. For details, or to RSVP, click here. AOT Events Calendar Request
The Arizona Office of Tourism is requesting event information to be considered for the calendar of events posted at ArizonaGuide.com. For more information, contact Marjorie Magnusson at Mmagnusson@azot.gov, or by phone at 602-364-3695, or fax at 602-364-3702. 2008 Fiesta Bowl Parade
Arizona tourism partners are invited to showcase Tucson and Southern Arizona by participating in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl Parade: "A Celebration of Arizona." For more information, contact Sherry Henry at the Fiesta Bowl, 480-517-6284, or at shenry@fiestabowl.org.
BUREAU DRAWER
Welcome Board of Directors
The 2007-08 MTCVB Board of Directors was announced at the June Annual Gathering. The slate of officers recommended for the Executive Committee 2007-08 is: Chair-Steve Fell; Vice Chair-Bob Edison; Treasurer-Doug Kramar; Member at large-Maria Lane; and Immediate Past Chair-Sally Simmons. Newly elected members include: Chris Smith, Bill Petrella, Mike Jameson, David Morgan, Dana Cooper, and Russell True.
Welcome New Staff Members
Jane Roxbury has joined the MTCVB as Director of Convention Services. Jane is a recent transplant from Washington, D.C. where she worked with two different non-profit organizations in service to the performing arts and philanthropic sectors. She brings a great deal of experience in nonprofit management, customer service, meeting and event organization and member relations. Erin McNamara has joined the MTCVB as the new Webmaster. She is charged with managing and maintaining the content of the MTCVB’s website, visitTucson.org. Before joining the MTCVB, Erin worked on the MTCVB website as Web Producer at LP&G Inc. Sherri Mayhew has joined the MTCVB as Administrative Assistant for Convention Sales. Sherri recently moved to Tucson from Portland where she worked in the hospitality industry, including at the Oregon Convention Center.
ADOT I-10 Traffic Alert For the latest news on the Prince Road to 29th Street I-10 widening project in Tucson, visit the project website at http://www.i10tucson.com/, or call the I-10 project hotline, 520-327-6444.
4th Avenue Underpass News
For news and information regarding construction at the 4th Avenue underpass in Downtown Tucson, visit this website: www.4thavenueunderpass.info.
MTCVB VISITOR INQUIRIES
May 2007
Walk-in visitors: 4,247
Information requests: 23,651
Website unique visitors: 208,934
June 2007
Walk-in visitors: 3,002
Information requests: 9,604
Website unique visitors: 237,826
Year to date (July 2006-June 2007)
Walk-in visitors: 69,362
Information requests: 156,547
Website unique visitors: 2,450,569
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