January 2008 UPDATE NewsletterClick on the links below to go directly to each section of this newsletter.
MTCVB Partners | Sales, Marketing & PR | Mexico Marketing | Tucson Film Office
Opportunities | Bureau Drawer
MTCVB PARTNERS January Tucson Ambassadors Class
Plan ahead and reserve your seat for the next available opening for the Wednesday, March 26 Tucson Ambassadors Program (TAP) hospitality training class at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Register for the March 26 class by Wednesday, March 5. The schedule for future TAP classes and registration information is online at the website of the Certified Tourism Ambassador Network, www.CTANetwork.com. The Tucson Ambassadors Program promotes tourism by inspiring front-line hospitality employees and volunteers to make every Tucson visit a positive experience. Questions? Contact Judy Wood at 770-2148. Destination Planning Guide Deadline
The deadline for new businesses to join the MTCVB and be included in the 2008 edition of the Tucson Destination Planning Guide (DPG) is Monday, Jan. 31. The DPG is the ultimate resource used by event coordinators to plan meetings and itineraries in Tucson and Southern Arizona. For details and personal assistance, contact Judy Wood, MTCVB Partner Sales and Hospitality Education Manager, at 770-2148. Promotional Opportunity
MTCVB's Tucson Visitor Center provides assistance to more than 70,000 walk-in visitors a year. Visitors collect free information on things to do and see in Tucson and Southern Arizona. MTCVB partners must supply the information (usually brochures) on their company's products and/or services. Partners can purchase brochure distribution for $150 annually. For details, contact Laurie White, Partner Services Manager, 770-2131. Prime Advertising Exposure
Two prime display-advertising opportunities are open at the Tucson Visitor Center. Advertising space is available on two, backlit panels: 24" high by 36" wide for $925 per year; and 24" high by 24" wide for $725 per year. For details, contact Laurie White, Partner Services Manager, 770-2131. Welcome Partner Sales Manager
Judy Wood is on the job as the new MTCVB Partner Sales and Hospitality Education Manager. Judy is responsible for securing new business partners for the MTCVB, and for expanding the Tucson Ambassadors Program. Get to know her at the MTCVB Partner Orientation and Refresher, February 13. I-10 Widening Alert
Work currently is in progress on widening I-10 from Prince Road to 29th Street. The three-year project is scheduled for summer 2007-spring 2010. For details and updates, call the hotline at (520) 327-6444, 1-877-961-1010, or click here. New Partners & Anniversaries
Find out which partners are celebrating anniversaries with the MTCVB and get to know those who have joined recently. For the latest partner news, visit the MTCVB New Partners and Anniversaries page at www.visitTucson.org, or click here.
SALES, MARKETING & PR
Share Photos of Fun Times
The MTCVB website has a new feature that allows users to post their own photos of a fun activity or entertaining event in Tucson. This interactive feature is a fun way for residents and visitors to enjoy a moment of fame. Users can upload their own photos for family and friends around the world to see. Photos are approved by the MTCVB prior to going live. To see the photo gallery, click here.
New Outdoor Adventure Web Video
An online video vignette promoting outdoor adventure in the Tucson Mountains has been added to the Outdoor Adventure section of the MTCVB website. The vignette, shot under clear skies in November, features hikers and mountain bikers exploring a trail and later relaxing during a yoga session and chair massage. Sol Journeys, a Tucson adventure travel company, led the group adventure. This is the third video vignette added to the website; the others can be found in the Culinary and Golf sections. To watch the video, click here. Gem Show Listings
The 2008 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase Guide will be released January 18, two weeks before the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase, February 2-17. Individual copies of the guide are offered to gem show visitors at the Tucson Visitor Center and at major show locations. Complete listings for all 47 shows at 43 locations can be found on the gem show page at www.visitTucson.org or by clicking here. Super Bowl Media Event
Tucson will be represented at the Super Bowl's media center and media events, January 29 in Greater Phoenix. MTCVB Public Relations division staff will promote Tucson as a perfect daytrip destination for Super Bowl participants and fans seeking authentic Southwestern experiences. The Super Bowl takes place February 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale. Canadian Sales Missions
MTCVB Domestic Tourism staff, in conjunction with Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), will represent Tucson at a Hockey Night sales event in Calgary, this month. The Arizona delegation will make sales calls and host the top wholesalers and tour operators from the Alberta area at a game between the Calgary Flames and the Phoenix Coyotes. Staff also will attend the AOT-sponsored Eastern Canadian sales mission, conducting sales calls and hosting dinners for clients in Montreal and Toronto. Spring Training at SoxFest
The MTCVB Convention Sales division and two hotel partners will participate in SoxFest, January 25-27 at Chicago's Palmer Hilton. Thousands of Chicago White Sox fans attend this annual event, which generates interest for both spring training and the regular Major League Baseball season. Tucson will host a visitor information booth, and sell tickets to Tucson spring training games at Tucson Electric Park. Tickets go on sale at Tucson Electric Park, January 19. The West's Best Promotion
The MTCVB has partnered with National Geographic Traveler on a co-op, website promotion in conjunction with jetBlue Airways. The promotion creates awareness of jetBlue's nonstop flight to New York. The promotion showcases several MTCVB partners participating in the promotion. To check this prime national exposure, click here. MEXICO MARKETING
Northern Mexico Fam Tour
The Mexico Marketing team recently led a group of 250 members of the National Young Farmer's Education Association on a familiarization (fam) tour in northern Mexico, following the group's annual convention at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort. The fam included a visit to a farm in Santa Ana, an important agricultural and cattle-raising area; and a stop at an inspection and certification facility in Sinaloa. As a result of this fam, the group experienced firsthand important issues related to border exportation and transportation. Spanish Sales Video
A Spanish-language video featuring Tucson attractions and events of interest to visitors from Mexico is the latest tool being used by the Mexico Marketing division at trade shows in northern Mexico. The video was produced for the MTCVB in Hermosillo and is a showcase for Tucson as a convenient destination for shopping, entertainment, nightlife, and family fun. More information for the Spanish-speaking traveler to Tucson is available from the MTCVB at www.VisitTucson.org/visitante, or by clicking here.
TUCSON FILM OFFICE
Snickers at Aircraft Scrap Yard
A national television commercial for the Snickers chocolate bar recently shot in Tucson at a private, aircraft scrap-yard located near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The studio-enhanced commercial features Transformer-type monsters tearing through the aircraft in pursuit of a guy who eventually gets his Snickers bar. For a preview, click here.
Festival of Food Films
The third annual Tucson Slow Food and Film Festival runs January 10-13, and the Tucson Film Office is proud to be a supporter. This extended weekend of classic food films, culinary events, and cultural discussions includes screenings, filmmakers, and panel discussions about the cuisines and cultures shown on the screen, along with culinary events at restaurants. For schedules and ticket information, click here. On Location in Tucson
The Tucson Film Office recently facilitated a shoot at Southwestern International Raceway for a segment of a car-racing show on the Speed TV channel. For more information, click here and scroll down to the Pinks - All Out icon. The office assisted both PBS with their BBQ U, which shot at Tubac Golf Resort, and the Discovery Channel with a location shoot in the Safford area for the channel's forthcoming series, 10 Ways to Save the Planet. The office also helped a travel show from the United Kingdom, called I'll Try Anything Once, which filmed in Tucson recently; click here for more details.
OPPORTUNITIES
First Tuesday: Rio Nuevo & "New Urbanist" Neighborhoods
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Arizona Inn. Featuring Tom Wuelpern, President, Rammed Earth Development. Sponsored by: Bruce Perish, Realtor/Realty Executives. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
Educational Seminar: Moving Beyond YouTube and Viral Video Thursday, Jan. 10, 8:15 -9:30 a.m. at Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation Conference Center and sponsored by Bits On The Wire, Inc. For more information, or to RSVP, click here. First Tuesday: Achieving Turnaround at UApresents
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Arizona Inn. Featuring Natalie Bohnet, Executive Director, UApresents. Sponsored by: The Choice Care Agency, Inc. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
Partner Orientation & Refresher
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 8:30-10 a.m., MTCVB Conference Room, 100 S. Church Ave. Free orientation for partners, both new and old. Agenda includes overview of current MTCVB department activities, explanation of partner benefits, and tips on making the most of partnership. To RSVP, or for more information, click here.
First Tuesday: Embracing Eco-Building at Reid Park Zoo
Tuesday, March 4, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Inn. Featuring Mike Carter, Executive Director, Reid Park Zoo. Sponsored by Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block. For details, or to RSVP, click here. First Tuesday: Tucson's Unique Culinary Tourism
Tuesday, April 1, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Inn. Featuring Jennifer English, Owner, Flavorbank Co., Inc. Sponsored by Bits On The Wire, Inc. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
First Tuesday: Tucson Ambassadors Program Update
Tuesday, May 6, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Inn. Featuring Vicki Doyle, MTCVB Vice President/Partner Development and Visitor Services. Sponsored by Encore Creative. For details, or to RSVP, click here. First Tuesday: Astronomy Tourism
Tuesday, June 3, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Inn. Featuring Rich Fedele, Public Outreach Manager, Kitt Peak National Observatory. Sponsored by Madden Preprint Media, L.L.C. For details, or to RSVP, click here. BUREAU DRAWER Welcome New Directors
Graeme Hughes is the new Director of Convention Sales for the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Graeme comes to the MTCVB from Tucson's Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. The MTCVB's current Director of Sales, Toby Parks moves to a new position as Director of Marketing for the MTCVB's expanding in-house marketing and advertising division. Tourism Cares Bears
Providing hospitalized children with a cuddly teddy bear during the holidays has become a tradition at the MTCVB. Last month, for the eighth year, the MTCVB delivered Tourism Cares teddy bears to more than 150 children at Tucson Medical Center and Old Pueblo Children's Home. MTCVB partners make the Tourism Cares program possible through generous donations. U.S. Reminds Travelers of New Document Rules
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are reminding the traveling public that as of January 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver's license, when entering the U.S. through land and sea ports of entry. For details, see the U.S. State Department website on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or click here.
MTCVB VISITOR INQUIRIES
November 2007
Information requests: 16,927
Walk-in visitors: 2,714
Website unique visitors: 213,840 Year-to-Date (July 2007-November 2007)
Information requests: 61,696
Walk-in visitors: 12,450
Website unique visitors: 1,127,484 |
