SUMMER 2009Welcome to TourISm Tucson ("Tourism Is Tucson"), your quarterly e-newsletter from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). We invite you to use this medium to stay informed of news and information that will help ensure your success as a partner of Tucson and Southern Arizona's tourism community. Summer Campaign: 'Tucson Will Surprise You'
Our summer campaign, "Tucson Will Surprise You," is going strong. Aimed primarily at vital drive markets within the state of Arizona, the campaign showcases the fantastic summer travel deals in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Print and radio ads drive traffic to the campaign website and all kinds of entertainment options as well as a comprehensive list of summer deals offered by our area's finest hotels, restaurants, and attractions. New this year, the campaign features a Web 2.0 component, including a Facebook page and Twitter profile, as well as "street teams" that surprise vacationers with Tucson merchandise, cash giveaways, and discounts on travel packages. On Memorial Day weekend, the "street team" (and camera crew) surprised a guest on a "man-cation" and a lucky family at The Westin La Paloma Resort. Both parties received a cash giveaway and were treated, along with a crowd of onlookers, to refreshing Tucson eegees and gifts of Tucson merchandise. Another "street team" surprise was staged at the Phoenix Zoo in conjunction with Phoenix media partner KEZ Radio; Bureau staff gave away tee shirts, visitor guides, and VIP cards good for discounts on summer packages advertised on the campaign website. The "Tucson Will Surprise You" campaign is full of interesting travel information and deals for visitors and locals alike. Check out the "Tucson Will Surprise You" website, today. USE IT
New Visit Tucson Blog
Our Visit Tucson blog is up and running on www.visitTucson.org/blog. Read it for a fresh perspective on area restaurants, attractions, performing and visual arts, and more. So far, blog posts have featured a real ranching experience; a report from a renowned attraction; a planes and trains tour; and a peek inside a magical gallery, and more. If you're interested in the adventures of locals who work in the tourism industry, check out our blog regularly. Partner Podcasts
We're creating a new homepage widget that will feature podcasts about the destination. The podcast can be instructional or descriptive (a walking tour of a gallery, e.g.), and must be in .MP3 format. If you would like to create a podcast, contact The Podcast Advantage (http://podcastadvantage.com) by email at don@podcastadvantage.com. If your company currently has a podcast and you would like to see like it published on www.visitTucson.org, send it for consideration to the MTCVB Webmaster, Erin Lair, at (520) 770-2146. 'Tourism Ready' Classes
Summer is the perfect time to provide your staff with additional training and resources to keep your business "tourism ready." Tucson Ambassador Program classes are available on August 13 and September 16. Cost is $30 per class. For more information, go to the Tucson Ambassadors Program website. CTA Facebook Page
If you're a CTA and have a Facebook page, we invite you to join our new Tucson CTAs Forum group. Click here to join the group and post a discussion topic on the Discussion Board. If you would like information on becoming a CTA (Certified Tourism Ambassador), contact Laurie J. White at (520) 770-2131 or mailto:jwood@visitTucson.org.
Link Your Website to Ours
Identify yourself as an MTCVB partner and promote the Visit Tucson brand by linking your company website to ours. You can download the MTCVB Partner logo at www.visitTucson.org/member and place it on your website or other collateral material, and add a reciprocal link back to our website from this logo. As an exclusive partner benefit, access to the logo is password protected. To download the logo, login with the username (e-mail address) and password assigned to the primary contact for your company (or click on "Forgot Password"). For further information, contact Laurie White at (520) 770-2131 or lwhite@visitTucson.org. 2009 Partner Events Calendar
A redesigned 2009 Partner Events Calendar, currently showing July 7 through December 8, is now available for download on the MTCVB Partners page on www.visitTucson.org. Partners can access the calendar by clicking on a link at the bottom of that page. The calendar will be updated with more events as the fiscal year progresses. To RSVP for any of the events, go to the Partner Event Info & RSVP page. Community Events Calendar
Promote your open-to-the-public summer events on the Community Events calendar (http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/community/). On the calendar landing page, click on "Add Your Event," and follow the directions to register for a free account. Within 1-3 days, you will be emailed an account confirmation. Return to the Community Events landing page and click on "Add Your Event," log in with your password, and load the information. Please send questions by email to calendar@visitTucson.org.
Green Tucson Visitor Guide
The spring/summer 2009 edition of the Visit Tucson: Official Destination Guide is available in digital format on the Free Visitor Info page on www.visitTucson.org. To save time and postage, the MTCVB will email a link to the green version of guide to anyone who requests a copy and provides contact information. WORK IT
First Tuesday Luncheon: Tucson Classic Hotels
Tuesday, July 7, from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Janet Hare, Director of Marketing, Lodge at Ventana Canyon explains how "uniquely Tucson" accommodations are working together under the name "Tucson Classics" to promote the local flavor they contribute to the visitor experience. Sponsor: Copper City Inn in Bisbee, AZ. To RSVP, click here.
2009 Governor's Conference on Tourism
July 8-10 at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. The Arizona Office of Tourism, the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association, the Arizona Restaurant Association, and the Arizona Tourism Alliance organize this annual educational and networking conference. For details, visit the Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism website. First Tuesday Luncheon: Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance
Tuesday, Aug 4 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. 2009 Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance President Meredith Hayes, Director of Public Relations & Marketing, Tucson Museum of Art shares how the Alliance is working together to increase attractions attendance throughout Southern Arizona and previews the new SAAA video. Sponsor: Garment Graphics. To RSVP, click here.
Partner Orientation & Refresher
Wednesday, Aug 12 (Check in at 8:15 a.m.; Orientation from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.) Learn specific tips and ideas for making the most of your partnership with the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, and share your business materials and interact with fellow MTCVB Partners at this casual and informative orientation. To RSVP, click here.
Tucson Ambassadors Program: Residence Inn by Marriott, Williams Centre
Thursday, Aug 13 from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Residence Inn by Marriott, Williams Centre. Registration deadline is July 24. For details, click here. To RSVP, click here.
First Tuesday Luncheon: Economic Impact of the Mexican Visitors
Tuesday, Sept 1 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Are you getting your market share of the 24 million Mexican consumers visiting Arizona? Mexican visitors' expenditures in Pima County increased 237% from $289 million to $976 million from 2001-2002 to 2007-08. Come and learn how your business can get a share of this market. Sponsor: Arizona Dude Ranch Association. To RSVP, click here. Tucson Ambassadors Program: Arizona Inn
Wednesday, Sep 16, from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Arizona Inn. Registration deadline is August 26.
To RSVP, click here. For details, click here.
First Tuesday Luncheon: MTCVB Convention Services
Tuesday, Oct 6 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. MTCVB Convention Services Director Jane Roxbury gives a lunchtime primer on how to maximize your exposure to Tucson-bound meeting planners, and an overview of the services offered to planner clients on behalf of MTCVB partners. Sponsor: Tanque Verde Ranch. To RSVP, click here.
Tucson Ambassadors Program: Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park
Thursday, Oct 8, from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park. Registration deadline is September 17. For details, click here. To RSVP, click here.
First Tuesday Luncheon: GLBT Leisure Travel Market
Tuesday, Nov 3, from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Don't miss this exclusive presentation by Andrew Collins, gay travel editor for About.com, based in Portland, Oregon, who will share insights on the value of marketing to the GLBT community, despite the current down economy. Sponsor: Pamela Laurence Collection. To RSVP, click here.
Partner Orientation & Refresher
Wednesday, Nov 11 (Check in at 8:15 a.m.; orientation from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.) Learn tips and ideas for making the most of your partnership with the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, share your business materials, and interact with fellow MTCVB Partners in casual setting. Tucson Ambassadors Program: Sahuaro Girl Scout Council, Hacienda Program Center
Thursday, Nov 12, from 12:30-5 p.m. at Sahuaro Girl Scout Council, Hacienda Program Center.
Registration deadline is October 22. First Tuesday Luncheon: North American Indian Information & Trade Center
Tuesday, Dec 1, from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Carole J. Garcia, International Representative, NAIITC gives an overview of the national Native American Co-operative's four annual events featuring dances, traditional food, fashion shows, and performances. Sponsor: AZ Entertainment & Events LLC. To RSVP, click here.
Tucson Ambassadors Program: Starr Pass Golf Suites, Palmer Room
Tuesday, Dec 8 from 12:30-5 p.m. at Starr Pass Golf Suites, Palmer Room. Registration deadline is November 17. For details, click here. To RSVP, click here. KNOW IT
TourISm Tucson Goes Quarterly
Beginning with this issue, the TourISm Tucson e-newsletter for MTCVB partners and stakeholders will be published on a quarterly, rather than monthly, basis. Look for it in your inbox in July, October, January, and April. MTCVB partners can email news about expansions, improvements, and new or updated programs or events for visitors to Deborah Melcher at dmelcher@visitTucson.org.
Update Your Partner Listing
The deadline is September 30 to update your listing for the 2010 Spring/Summer edition of the Visit Tucson: Official Destination Guide, published in February. Partner publication listings are now limited to a 10-15-word description. Partner website listings may now be up to 100 words. Changes to any listing can take up to 48 hours to appear after submission. Questions? Please contact Laurie White at (520) 770-2131or lwhite@visitTucson.org. Learn How to be 'Mexico Ready'
The recent study on the economic impact of the Mexican visitor confirms this market has grown dramatically. The 2009 study by the University of Arizona stated spending in Pima County by Mexican visitors more than tripled since 2001, and contributed almost $1 billion annually to the Metro Tucson economy in 2007-2008. To enroll in the "15 Steps to Make Your Business Mexico Ready" workshop, created by the MTCVB Mexico Marketing department and the U of A Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) program, contact Martha Tadlock at (520) 770-2171 or mtadlock@visitTucson.org. Embrace Tourism and Win!
If you belong to a professional organization, association, or corporation that holds meetings, invite your group to choose Metropolitan Tucson as the next location. Your group may be surprised to learn our area's lodging properties offer exceptional values for luxe accommodations, as well as accessibility to spectacular natural scenery, and an international airport offering daily departures to 15 non-stop destinations. Send us your group's name and contact information and we'll thank you for it. Every meeting booked earns you a $100 Tucson Originals dining card. Learn more on the Embrace Tourism and Win! website.
See Tucson on the Big Screen
Two summer blockbusters have Tucson roots. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen features the Davis Monthan Air Force Base aircraft boneyard and Tucson International Airport. Away We Go features the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, Tucson Mountain Park, and many Tucson extras. The Tucson Film Office, a division of the MTCVB, was instrumental in bringing the films here and facilitated both productions from start to finish. Follow Tucson Sports
The MTCVB Sports Development department has been re-branded as Tucson Sports, with a new logo, an improved website at www.visitTucson.org/sports, and a revamped Tucson Sports Competition Facility Guide, the comprehensive catalog of 24 sports competition venues in Tucson and Southern Arizona. The guide has been digitized and added to the Tucson Sports page so you can view it online or send the link to a customer.
Congratulate 2009 Copper Star Winners
The 2009 Copper Star Awards were presented at the MTCVB Annual Gathering, at Lodge on the Desert, June 17. The Tucson Airport Authority received the corporate award for enrolling 71 airport employees in Tucson Ambassador Program classes during the past fiscal year. Johnny Fenton, CTA and Concierge at Omni Tucson National Resort, received the individual award for her significant contributions to the tourism industry over the past year. 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 327-6444.
MTCVB Visitor Inquiries
April / May 2009
Walk-in visitors: April - 4,059 / May - 3,022
Information requests: April - 10,831 / May - 13,342
Website unique visitors: April - 212,011 / May - 213,454 Year to Date: July 2008 - May 2009
Walk-in visitors: 45,176
Information requests: 124,686
Website unique visitors: 2,642,142 LINKS TO MTCVB RESOURCES
Follow the links below for information from a variety of MTCVB resources:
New Partners / Partner Anniversaries
Tucson Sports
Embrace Tourism
Tucson Will Surprise You
Vamos a Tucson, Tucson Visitor Center, Hermosillo |
