January 2009 e-Newsletter
Welcome to TourISm Tucson (pronounced "Tourism Is Tucson"), your monthly e-newsletter from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). We invite you to use this medium to stay informed of news and other information that will help ensure your success as a partner of Tucson's tourism community.
Bold New Programs Target Meeting Business
The MTCVB has launched a bold program to draw group meetings and conventions to Tucson. We are offering up to $20,000 credit to groups booking meetings in Tucson in 2009. In December, we began an electronic and direct-mail campaign offering groups $1,000-$10,000 credit per meeting for their master accounts, dependent upon the number of peak room nights booked. We will provide half the appropriate credit, and participating meeting hotels/resorts will pay the other half in the form of master account credit. Groups booking consecutive multi-year events (2009 and 2010) will receive incentive funding for both meetings. Meetings booked in 2009 for 2010 dates will receive 50 percent of the outlined incentive credit.
A separate but complementary incentive program rewards Tucsonans who provide the MTCVB with qualified leads that result in booked meetings. Every individual who submits a qualified lead referral will receive a $100 gift certificate to Tucson Originals restaurants and be entered into a drawing for prizes, including a $1,000 shopping spree at La Encantada, a $500 spa day at Miraval Tucson Resort, a $5,000 radio advertising schedule at a Citadel Broadcasting Radio Station with a custom marketing consultation, and a set of roundtrip airline tickets.
The goal of these programs is to stimulate meeting business for Tucson hotels and resorts and to aid meeting professionals with budgetary concerns. For more information, contact Graeme Hughes, MTCVB Director of Convention Sales, at 770-2174.
WORK IT!
January-June 2009 Tucson Ambassadors Program Classes
Learn more about the Tucson Ambassadors Program. Go to www.CTANetwork.com to register for the next open class; the January-June 2009 class schedule is available on the CTANetwork.
First Tuesday: World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arizona Inn. Featuring Wade Dunagan, World Golf Championships, discussing "Tucson's Hole in One: World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship," a preview of the sports event that has put Tucson on the map for golfers worldwide. Sponsored by Tucson Symphony Orchestra. To RSVP and pay online by December 31, click here.
First Tuesday: Japanese Baseball
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arizona Inn. Featuring Dan Schneider of the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority. Sponsored by Chris Bubany Studio. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
'Meet & See' at ‘La Fiesta de los Vaqueros' Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum
Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5-7 p.m., at Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum. The Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee hosts a guided tour of more than 150 historical horse-drawn vehicles housed at the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum. Also, Western-style appetizers catered by BBQ specialists Port-A-Pit Catering, prize drawings, and a roping demonstration by a Tucson Rodeo Queen. For details, or to RSVP, click here.
Partner Orientation & Refresher
Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at MTCVB Administrative Offices, La Placita Village, 100 S. Church Ave. (corner of Broadway & Church Ave.) Free overview of MTCVB programs and opportunities, geared to MTCVB partners, both new and established. For more information, click here.
Casino Night in Sonora, Mexico
Saturday, Feb. 28 is the final day MTCVB partners can register to participate in the annual Casino Night in Hermosillo and Breakfast Event in San Carlos, presented by MTCVB Mexico Marketing, March 20-21. Casino Night event includes a trade show at which partners can showcase travel information to potential Tucson visitors from Mexico as well as a gala fundraising/networking event that benefits Sonoran charities. For more information, contact Martha Tadlock, Mexico Projects Manager, at 520-770-2171.
First Tuesday: Tucson's World-Class Performing Arts Scene
Tuesday, March 3 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arizona Inn (Tucson Room) featuring presentation by Jessica Andrews, Arizona Theatre Company, and Susan Franano, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, on Tucson's performing arts offerings and opportunities. Sponsored by Sweet P's Skin Care. Click here to RSVP.
First Tuesday: 'Sa wa rows' and Friends
Tuesday, April 7 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arizona Inn (Tucson Room), featuring presentation by Bob Newtson, Friends of Saguaro National Park. Sponsored by Southern Arizona Roadrunners. To RSVP, click here.
KNOW IT!
Gem Show Contact Information
Contact information regarding each of Tucson's gem shows is available at visitTucson.org. Even when we're outside of peak show season, all information is retained on the Tucson Gem Show page under the Events destination driver. The next time someone asks you for contact information for a specific show, simply refer him or her to the MTCVB website.
Tucson Spring Training Tickets
Spring Training in Tucson returns February 25-April 2, with most games starting at 1 p.m. As always, the Colorado Rockies will warm up for the regular season at Hi Corbett Field, located in midtown at the northeast corner of Reid Park. Rockies tickets, ranging from $4 to $17, go on sale January 10. The Arizona Diamondbacks play ball at Tucson Electric Park, south of downtown, near Interstate 10. Tickets for Diamondbacks games, priced between $5 and $25, will be available January 24. Schedules and other information for both teams are available via the MTCVB website in the Events section, and at both the Rockies and Diamondbacks websites.
Rodeo Volunteers Needed
The 2009 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Festival of the Cowboys), or Tucson Rodeo, will stage daily performances at Tucson Rodeo Grounds from February 21 through March 1, while the 84th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade, one of the country's few horse-drawn parades, begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the corner of Park Avenue and Ajo Way. This signature Tucson event attracts more than 50,000 spectators every year, including 5,000 schoolchildren. Volunteers are always needed to ensure its success and ability to help local charity organizations. To volunteer, call 520-294-8896, or click here to download a Volunteer Form (PDF). For ticket information, including VIP seating through the "Vaquero Club," click here.
Southwest Adds Tucson-Denver Flight
Southwest Airlines will initiate one new daily nonstop roundtrip flight between Denver and Tucson beginning May 9. To view a complete chart of the expanded schedule in Tucson or for more information, visit the Southwest Airlines website. To book flights, click here.
Sun Country Resumes Tucson-Minneapolis Service
Tucson Airport Authority reports that Sun Country Airlines, based in Minneapolis, has resumed seasonal nonstop service three times per week from Tucson to Minneapolis continuing through April 29, 2009. American Airlines will handle the flight. For details about fares and schedules, log on to the Sun Country Airlines website.
ADOT I-10 Traffic Alert
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) posts news about the Prince Road to 29th Street I-10 widening project in Tucson at the project website. For the latest news, click here or call the I-10 project hotline at 520-327-6444.
USE IT!
Revamped Spanish Website
Spanish-speaking visitors to Tucson will find a wealth of traveler information on the MTCVB website. This web page, titled Visitante de Mexico, has been revamped to include even more photographs of things to do and see in Tucson, as well as an expanded calendar of events and more coverage of area attractions, dining, lodging, and special offers. There is also contact information for the MTCVB Tucson Visitor Center in Hermosillo, where Mexican travelers can go for travel information and reservation services before visiting Tucson. The improved web page can be accessed by clicking on the Visitante de Mexico bar at the top of the visitTucson.org homepage, or by logging on to www.VamosaTucson.com.
Add Your Event to MTCVB Community Calendar
The online MTCVB Community Events calendar is now easier than ever for partners to use. Visit our MTCVB Community Events landing page and click on the new "Add Your Event" link. Follow this link to create your own MTCVB Community Events calendar account through TucsonStyle.com. Events can be added once the account is approved. This free resource is available to partners and others organizing events of interest to visitors and the general community.
AOT Calls for all Calendar of Event Items
The Arizona Office of Tourism is requesting 2009 event information to be considered for the Calendar of Events posted on www.ArizonaGuide.com. These items encourage tourists to experience special occasions held throughout Arizona. For events to be considered, they must be open to the public and of interest to tourists. If you have questions or would like an event submission form, please contact Marjorie Magnusson at Mmagnusson@azot.gov or 602-364-3695.
MTCVB Visitor Inquiries / November 2008
Information requests: 12,374
Walk-in visitors: 3,903
Website unique visitors: 219,359
Year to Date / July-November 2008
Information requests: 44,060
Walk-in visitors: 13,927
Website unique visitors: 1,090,345
LINKS TO MTCVB RESOURCES
Follow the links below for information from a variety of MTCVB resources:
MTCVB 2007-08 Annual Report/2008-09 Marketing Plan
New Partners / Partner Anniversaries
Photo and Video Tour
Green Tucson
Tucson Sports
