MARCH 2009Welcome 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. Spring Training: It's Baseball Time in Tucson
Serious baseball fans know Tucson is a great place to watch Major League baseball warm up for the regular season. At Hi Corbett Field and Tucson Electric Park the plentiful close-to-the-action seating makes it easy to catch a souvenir fly ball, collect autographs, and even talk with the players. The focus here is on baseball. Our teams, the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks, have a history of making it to the playoffs, so be sure to catch some of the pre-season (and perhaps pre-championship) action this month. Before you head out, check the MTCVB website for tickets, schedules, venue maps and more. Promoting spring training continues to be an important part of our mission to market the destination. You'll find general information and links to package deals and other specifics on our Spring Training in Tucson web page (www.visitTucson.org/springtraining). This information is updated regularly by the MTCVB Webmaster. Another place for quick information about spring training is the Major Events calendar (http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/majorevents/). Members of the news media consult our online Media section for news releases and e-newsletter stories geared to travel writers. Our Convention Services department connects players and their families with myriad partner resources, from hotel rooms and travel itineraries to dining options and transportation. Recently our Convention Sales and Marketing teams coordinated a promotional event at the 2009 Rockies Fest at Coors Field, Denver. A lucky couple from Littleton, Colorado won an eight-night stay in Tucson as guests of the MTCVB and four partner hotels. The prize package includes roundtrip airfare and the opportunity to escape Colorado's snow and catch a few baseball games, tour local attractions, and play a few rounds of golf. What better way to experience a favorite Tucson rite of spring! WORK IT!
Tucson Ambassadors Program
Share your Tucson knowledge with visitors as a Certified Tourism Ambassador. Information is provided on the MTCVB Tucson Ambassadors Program web page. To view the April-June 2009 class schedule and register for the next open class, visit the CTANetwork website, www.CTANetwork.com. Tucson Film Industry Summit
Monday, March 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Temple of Music and Art (upstairs at Cabaret Theater). Tucson Film Office invites you to join leaders in Arizona's film industry for a panel discussion on the current state of the industry, what's being done to bring filmmaking business here, and how you can assist. Free. RSVP to the Tucson Film Office at 770-2151 or adamdick@visitTucson.org. The Romeros Concert and Reception
Friday, March 6 at 8 p.m. at Tucson Music Hall. The MTCVB's Vamos a Tucson and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra present a reception following the concert honoring the world-renowned The Romeros guitar quartet. Proceeds will benefit the Fundacion Mexico scholarship program. Tickets are $60 each. For information, contact Marisol Romero, Administrative Assistant, at 770-2167 or mromero@visitTucson.org. Educational Seminar: Sports Marketing Meets Your Business
Thursday, March 26 from 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (8 a.m. registration/continental breakfast) at Holiday Inn & Suites Tucson Airport North. Tucson's reputation as a host location for amateur sports events is growing! As an MTCVB partner business you have priority access to this lucrative market. Follow MTCVB's Director of Sports Marketing Vince Trinidad through a five-step process to ensure that your business is 'sports ready.' To RSVP, click here.
Official Destination Guide: Listing Deadline
Tuesday, March 31 is the final day for businesses to become a partner of the MTCVB and have their company listing appear in the fall/winter edition of the Visit Tucson: Official Destination Guide. March 31 is also the deadline for existing partners to submit changes to their current listing that will appear in the fall/winter edition of the guide, (August 2009). For more information, contact Laurie White, Partner Services Manager, at 770-2131 or via email at lwhite@visitTucson.org. 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.
First Tuesday: Downtown Tucson Partnership
Tuesday, May 5 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arizona Inn (Tucson Room). Speaker Glenn Lyons, Downtown Tucson Partnership, provides update on downtown projects. Sponsored by Maynard's Market & Kitchen. To RSVP, click here. MTCVB Partner Orientation & Refresher Meeting
Wednesday, May 13 from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. (8:15 a.m. check in) at MTCVB Administrative Office. New partners and established partners are invited to learn specific tips and ideas for making the most of your partnership with the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). Free. To RSVP, click here. Meet & See: Theatre Night at Arizona Theatre Company
Thursday, April 9 beginning with reception from 5-7 p.m. at Temple Gallery, followed by performance of Beethoven, As I Knew Him from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Temple of Music and Art. Meet your tourism colleagues for a private reception before the show in the Temple of Music and Art Gallery (home of Etherton Gallery). Featuring prize drawings, catered hors d'oeuvres by Todd's American Food--Arizona Style, and drinks at the cash bar. For details or to RSVP, click here.
KNOW IT!
Board of Directors Openings
The Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau will have openings in the General Business and Lodging categories for a three-year term on the Board of Directors starting July 1, 2009. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest and biography or resume by March 20, 2009 to: Sally Simmons, Chair, Nominating Committee, MTCVB, 100 S. Church Ave., Tucson AZ 85701. We Have an Embrace Tourism Winner
Alaina Levine, a University of Arizona employee, is the first winner in our Embrace Tourism and Win campaign. Levine won a $100 gift certificate good at Tucson Originals restaurants after helping secure a program for JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. After hearing an Embrace Tourism presentation by an MTCVB representative at a meeting of her professional organization, Levine immediately queried her colleagues about upcoming, large meetings. She then provided the MTCVB with names and contact information for colleagues seeking meeting locations. With free assistance from the MTCVB, Levine's colleague booked a meeting in Tucson. Levine has been entered into our grand prize drawing (for airline tickets, La Encantada shopping spree, Miraval spa day, Tucson Symphony Orchestra season tickets) in May. If you know of a group seeking a meeting or event location, send a referral to Graeme Hughes, Convention Sales Director, at (ghughes@visitTucson.org). You could be the next winner. Master Account Incentive Leads to Six Bookings
Our most recent campaign to stimulate meeting and event business for Tucson hotels is well underway. The master account incentive program, a component of our Tucson On Us campaign, has resulted in more than 40 new and unique leads and six definite bookings for area hotels and resorts. These numbers are expected to increase with the growing interest from both clients and meeting industry trade media. The campaign rewards groups with credits to their master accounts of up to $20,000 for qualified peak rooms booked at partner hotels in 2009. Highly qualified groups may take advantage of the campaign's free site visit including airfare, lodging, and property tours. For more information, contact Graeme Hughes, Convention Sales Director, at 770-2174 or ghughes@visitTucson.org.
Record Response to ‘Good Weather' e-Blast
A record number of customers responded to our e-blast promoting Tucson's warm winter weather. February's "Forget Winter Weather" e-blast resulted in almost 2,800 unique responses - a 6.7 percent click-through rate, the highest response we've received in the last 18 months. Earlier in the season, November's "Warm Up in Tucson" e-blast initially resulted in about 2,500 unique responses. Both enticing e-blasts went to our database of approximately 60,000 consumers living in cold weather states who have requested e-mails from us. Targeted areas included Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis and other cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest. Both promotions included a "register to win" component offering two-nights lodging for free at one of Tucson's legendary luxury resorts.
Tucson Visitor Center-Hermosillo Marks Anniversary
The Tucson Visitor Center in Hermosillo, Sonora marks its third year this month. The MTCVB opened the center in March 2006 to serve travelers from Sonora and Sinaloa. Today, the center's Spanish-speaking staff serves more than 650 walk-in visitors a month (about 7,800 a year), disbursing Tucson travel information, accepting Tucson hotel and event reservations, and responding to callers from throughout Mexico who use the center's Mexico 800 telephone number. A shuttle service transports travelers on roundtrip, overnight visits that include stops at Tucson hotels, shopping malls and casinos. To learn more about becoming "Mexico Ready" and marketing your business to visitors from Mexico, contact Martha Tadlock, Mexico Projects Manager, at 770-2171. 2009 ADDY Award Winners
The MTCVB has continued its winning streak at the Tucson Advertising Federation's annual ADDY awards ceremony. The MTCVB's 2007-08 Annual Report/2008-09 Marketing Plan won a gold award; "The Five Senses" promotional gifts won a gold award. The Tucson Film Office's "Tucson on Film" promotional reel, created by Scott Litteer Productions and produced by MTCVB President/CEO Jonathan Walker, won a gold award. The MTCVB's "Tucson Will Surprise You" summer campaign, direct mail category won a silver award. For a look at all the winners, log on to the Tucson Ad Fed website at www.tucsonadfed.org. 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!
Campaign Off to a Good Start
Our local Embrace Tourism campaign has been presented to more than 20 special interest and professional groups with a combined audience of more than 1,000. The free presentations began in January and have resulted in one definite booking. The campaign's goal is to educate Tucsonans about our city's $2.3 billion tourism industry, its many economic and social benefits, and the role the MTCVB plays in generating tourism. MTCVB representatives are available for presentations at meetings of local professional organizations and service groups. For more information, contact Judy Wood, Partner Sales & Hospitality Education Manager, at 770-2148 or at jwood@visitTucson.org. MTCVB's Research Section Updated
The New Hotels and Renovations page in the Media section at www.visitTucson.org has been updated. MTCVB partners in the category of Hotels, Resorts, Spas, Ranches and B&Bs may submit information about renovations at their properties. Submit information to Kimberly Schmitz, Public Relations Director, at 770-2143 or via email at kschmitz@visitTucson.org. Spring/Summer Tucson Official Destination Guide Available
The 2009 Spring/Summer Visit Tucson: Tucson Official Destination Guide is now available. Partners are mailed a free copy and may request additional copies for customers. To schedule a pick up time, contact Amanda Flores, Office Coordinator, at 770-2123 or aflores@visitTucson.org. For delivery service, contact Presidio Distribution at 296-8024.
MTCVB Visitor Inquiries /January 2009
Information requests: 19,880
Walk-in visitors: 5,754
Website unique visitors: 319,719
Year to Date / July 2008-January 2009
Information requests: 72,247
Walk-in visitors: 22,950
Website unique visitors: 1,633,662
LINKS TO MTCVB RESOURCES
Follow the links below for information from a variety of MTCVB resources:
New Partners / Partner Anniversaries
Major League Baseball Spring Training
Events in Tucson and Southern Arizona
New Tucson Hotels & Renovations |
