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MTCVB Partners | Sales, Marketing & PR | Mexico Marketing | Tucson Film Office
Opportunities | Bureau Drawer
MTCVB PARTNERS
Cowboy Cookout at Cocoraque Ranch
You and your family are invited to the MTCVB Cowboy Cookout at Cocoraque Ranch, Saturday, Sept. 15, 5–8 p.m. There will be ranch-style cooking and fun-filled activities. Guests can challenge tourism colleagues to a rodeo-relay race, bond with an equine friend in a game of “Rattlesnake Pass,” or take a sunset buggy ride along a desert trail. The menu will include Southwestern favorites such as quesadillas, cilantro-grilled chicken, smoked pork riblets, and more. For details about Cocoraque Ranch, click here.
Tucson Ambassadors Program
The Tucson Ambassador Program (TAP) is generating so much interest that classes are filling up quickly; there are still seats available in October, November, and December. The 2008 schedule soon will be available at www.tucsonambassadors.org. The TAP is a new certification program that inspires frontline hospitality employees to create positive experiences for Tucson visitors. Classes are hosted at MTCVB partner businesses and training is provided by local tourism professionals.The curriculum includes reading assignments and in-class participation (one half-day session). An annual renewal process is required to maintain Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification.
Annual Report & Marketing Plan
The MTCVB 2006/07 Annual Report and 2007-08 Marketing Plan has been mailed to partners and stakeholders. The Annual Report summarizes last fiscal year's sales and marketing activities that contributed to more than $190 million in economic impact for metropolitan Tucson. The Marketing Plan outlines next year's advertising and marketing campaigns, trade shows and sales missions, and branding themes. This publication is a valuable resource for MTCVB partners developing company marketing plans. The mailing also includes the Fall/Winter 2007 Tucson Official Visitors Guide and the Second Edition 2007 Convention and Tour Calendar.
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 www.VisitTucson.org, under MTCVB Partners. Click here to see current listings.
SALES, MARKETING & PR
MTCVB Website Redesign
The MTCVB website (www.visitTucson.org) is undergoing a redesign that could increase visitor traffic to three million over the next fiscal year. MTCVB website traffic last fiscal year totaled 2,450,569 visitors. The redesigned website will be launched next month and will feature a fresh look, with exciting visuals and improved navigation, including:
• Rotating homepage photography.
• Improved organization, including destination driver micro-sites.
• Streamlined Travel Tools block similar to the current homepage will include hotel, air travel, restaurants, activities, and upcoming events—all accessible through the MyTucson login.
• Rotating Featured Partners list.
• Website-wide search function.
• Increased use of video placement.
• Major Events calendar upgrade.
• Ability for users to upload stories and pictures.
Other improvements: the new interactive map, introduced in August, is accessible via the homepage by clicking "Interactive Maps" on the left navigation bar. The Auto Responder has been updated as a newsletter featuring editorial copy supporting the Tucson destination drivers (Attractions and the Arts; Culinary; General Leisure; Golf; Heritage and Culture; Hotels, Resorts, Spas and Ranches; Outdoor Adventure and Nature).
International Hispanic Games Award
Sports Development staff helped bring to Tucson the 2007 International Hispanic Games last June. Now this event has been nominated for a 2007 SportsTravel Award by readers of SportsTravel, the sports event magazine. The nomination is based on superior organization of and attendance at the event, a superior experience for the competitors and/or spectators at the event, and how the site or venue served to enhance the event. Final balloting is open through September 15. Official ballots are available in the August and September issues of SportsTravel magazine. For more information, or to vote online, click here.
Canadian Sales Mission
Tourism staff will promote Tucson to Canadians during a sales mission sponsored by Arizona Office of Tourism, September 10–13. On the trip to Vancouver, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, staff will increase Tucson’s exposure with travel agents, tour operators, and wholesalers. Canada is Arizona's second-largest market for international tourism; Mexico is first and United Kingdom is third.
Travel Writer Trips
Public Relations staff is working with the Arizona Office of Tourism to bring two media groups to Tucson and Southern Arizona. The "Back to School" trip—which includes seven travel writers from the United States, Germany, Austria, and Scotland—will be in Tucson September 13–15. In mid-October, the GeoTourism media trip will take travel writers to visit attractions and historic locations in Southern Arizona featured in the National Geographic Arizona-Sonora Desert Region GeoTourism MapGuide.
The Motivation Show
Convention Sales staff and six MTCVB partners will join the Phoenix and Scottsdale CVBs at the Arizona exhibit during The Motivation Show, Chicago, September 25–27. The Tucson team will meet with decision-makers from major corporations and promote Tucson as a top incentive location. The Motivation Show features over 2,000 exhibitors from around the world showcasing incentive travel, meetings, and other services used in programs to motivate employees and boost sales.
MEXICO MARKETING
Two Premier Trade Shows Target Sonora
The MTCVB and other Arizona destination-marketing organizations will promote statewide shopping, attractions, and accommodations to potential visitors in Mexico during the 10th annual Arizona Showcase, October 3–4 in Hermosillo, Sonora. Following Arizona Showcase, the Mexico Marketing division will host its annual “Vamos a Tucson” Sonora Trade Show and Casino Night in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora. About 17 MTCVB partners will participate in this chance to market to high-profile consumers, tour operators, associations, and chambers of commerce in Sonora, Mexico.
Tucson Visitor Center–Hermosillo
The Tucson Visitor Center in Hermosillo, Sonora houses travel information provided by MTCVB partners, including the all-new Spanish language Tucson Attractions Passport (a joint project of the MTCVB and the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance). MTCVB partners can find out more about opportunities at the visitor center by calling Martha Tadlock, Mexico Projects Manager, (520) 770-2171, or mtadlock@visitTucson.org.
TUCSON FILM OFFICE
Boards Summit, New York City
The Tucson Film Office will exhibit at the Boards Summit in New York City, October 30–31. At this conference for the commercial advertising market, staff will talk directly to potential clients about their production needs. Staff will exhibit the “Easy to Get To. Hard to Find” location campaign, and promote a 2008 Arizona tax incentive that is intended for commercials and music videos. Commercials, both print and film, are a growing source of business for Tucson. Last fiscal year, commercial shoots here included Safeway, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, Ameritrade, and Desert Diamond Casino.
Tucson Film & Music Festival
The Tucson Film Office helped sponsor the third annual Tucson Film and Music Festival, August 30 through September 3. This annual festival takes place in Downtown Tucson over Labor Day weekend and features a series of independent film and music events celebrating Tucson and the Southwest. This year's film series included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), which was filmed almost entirely in Tucson. For more about the festival, visit www.tucsonfilmandmusicfestival.com.
OPPORTUNITIES
Deadline to Revise Partner Listings
Friday, Sept. 14 is the deadline for partners to submit changes to their listings in MTCVB's 2008 publications and on the website. Partners receive a free 25-word listing in either the Tucson Official Visitors Guide or the Tucson Destination Planning Guide, and a free 50-word listing on the MTCVB website. Submit listing changes to Laurie White at lwhite@visittucson.org, or login at MTCVB Partners on www.visitTucson.org and follow the do-it-yourself directions.
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. Casino Night in Sonora
Friday, Oct. 5, Ciudad Obregon. MTCVB partner businesses with an interest in marketing to the Mexico traveler may participate in this evening promotional opportunity targeting hi-profile consumers in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora. For more information about this MTCVB "Vamos a Tucson" program, contact Martha Tadlock, Mexico Projects Manager, (520) 770-2171, or mtadlock@visitTucson.org.
Meet & See: Terra Cotta
Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m., Terra Cotta restaurant. Details will be forthcoming at www.visitTucson.org under MTCVB Partners, Events, Partner Event Calendar & Registration. First Tuesday: Tourism Research & Revelations
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Arizona Inn. Susan Cantrell, Vice President/Advertising,
Tucson Newspapers. Sponsored by Pour Moi Boutique. For details, or to RSVP, click here. Partner Orientation & Refresher
Thursday, Nov. 15, 8:30-10 a.m. Board Room, MTCVB Administrative Office, 100 S. Church Ave. Free. A tourism orientation for MTCVB partners. Sponsored by: MTCVB Partner Development. For details, or to RSVP, click here. First Tuesday: Update from the Governor's Tucson Office
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Arizona Inn. Kristin Almquist, Director, Governor Janet
Napolitano's Southern Arizona Office. Sponsored by: Southern Arizona Lodging & Resort Association (SALARA). For details, or to RSVP, click here.
Holiday Happening at Rancho Valle Milagro
Thursday, Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m., Rancho Valle Milagro. Details forthcoming at www.visitTucson.org under MTCVB Partners, Events, Partner Event Calendar & Registration. AOT Events Calendar Request
The Arizona Office of Tourism is accepting events for inclusion in its statewide calendar of events at www.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 New Staff
Brooke Sauer is the new MTCVB National Sales Manager for the West Coast market. Brooke's 18 years' hospitality experience includes positions as Director of Sales for the Lodge at Ventana Canyon and Sales Manager for two Northern California luxury resorts. She recently earned her Tucson Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) designation.
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 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 Downtown Happenings
The latest updates from Downtown Tucson (construction, traffic circulation, detours, and convenient parking options) are available online at www.knowyourwaydowntown.info, by phone at (520) 622-9000, and on the radio at AM 1630.
MTCVB VISITOR INQUIRIES
July 2007
Walk-in visitors: 2,568
Information requests: 14,548
Website unique visitors: 251,746 Fiscal year to date (July 2007)
Walk-in visitors: 2,568
Information requests: 14,548
Website unique visitors: 251,746 |
