April Viz Biz 2009
| | VizBiz Membership Newsletter April 2009 |
| VISITOR GUIDE TO BE PUBLISH ONCE PER YEAR Be sure to be among the advertisers 300,000 copies to be distributed
Starting this year, the VisitRochester Visitors Guide will be published just ONCE A YEAR. The issue will include reasons to visit the area during any time of year. Working with the Democrat and Chronicle, VisitRochester will print and distribute 300,000 copies of the guide. Be sure to be among the advertisers. PLEASE NOTE: advertising deadline is April 10. The guide will be in distribution during the 1st week of May. For prices and more information, please click here for Flyer and Ad Rate Sheet Membership Bill Gormont, VIC Chairperson and Donna Deford, Past Chairperson were joined by 4 new VIC meeting attendees for a VIC Meeting Orientation in March. VIC Meeting Thank you, to the Holiday Inn & Suites Marketplace for hosting the March VIC meeting. The meeting included a presentation by Dave Sek with Instant Sign Center. Tracy Armstrong, Director of Community-wide Conventions Sales and Marketing, and Kelli O'Connor, Director of Convention & Visitor Services also gave an in-depth presentation on the "Convention Calendar and How to Make it Work For You." The presentation gave attendees wonderful tools and tips to utilize the confidential calendar. Please Click Here to read the meeting minutes. Greg Marshall, Senior VP and Director of Marketing also handed out a list of 2009 Co-op Programs and Opportunities. If you did not receive that hand out please Click Here . The Next VIC meeting on April 21, 2009 will a 28th VIC Birthday celebration. RockVentures will be hosting in RockVentures birthday style with pizza, cake and an opportunity to climb the walls! The meeting will begin at 3:30 pm with registration and orientation at 3:00 pm. Climbing time will be 5-5:30 pm. Come with a change of loose clothing and sneakers if you wish to try the RockVenture walls (changing facilities are available). "if you can climb a ladder you can successfully climb with us!" Attendees, who remain to cheer people on, will receive 2-week family passes courtesy of RockVentures (immediate household family members please). The April VIC meeting will concentrate on providing the best customer service and encouraging customers to return. Visitor Services SMELL THOSE LILACS! It is that time of the year, when all of Rochester starts thinking about the Lilac Festival! VisitRochester is very excited to have a number of volunteer opportunities for members - in the Lilac Festival Parade, at our Bank of America Mobile Information Center, and the Visitor Information Booth! VisitRochester will be in the Lilac Festival Parade - and is looking for creative ideas for our float! If you'd like to pursue any of the following aspects of the Festival, please contact Kelli O'Connor at kellio@visitrochester.com or 585-279-8303:
FREE TRAINING FOR FRONTLINE STAFF - LICENSE TO SERVE ROCHESTER! Congratulations to the Waterloo Premium Outlets, the latest member to complete the free, frontline training program offered by VisitRochester! They've joined an elite club of members who have participated in the frontline training program. VisitRochester is proud to sponsor a front-line training program, called License to Serve Rochester, giving front-line tourism professionals a fresh perspective toward service while performing their job. Visitors will feel as if they are being hosted by a "true ambassador." In the end, front-line staff will obtain skills that will serve them well both professionally and personally. The Services staff is happy to provide managers and GMs a chance to see the training in action - we will either present the program to you at your property/establishment, or keep you posted as to the programs at other properties/establishments that you can sit in on! Here's what your fellow members are saying about the program : Britt Lui was here today at Waterloo Premium Outlets and did the Hospitality training for our store managers. My phone has been ringing all day from our managers who attended the meeting to say how much they enjoyed his presentation. (a total of 77 people). I would like to take this opportunity to thank VisitRochester. This was truly a great member benefit that every organization should be taking advantage of. - Karen Dodson, General Manager, Waterloo Premium Outlets Just a quick thank you from George Eastman House for the "License to Serve" training VisitRochester offered us. We were so thrilled to take part in it. Everyone who participated had something positive to say about the training itself, and Britt was wonderful in his delivery. - Jenna Chard, Visitor Services Manager, George Eastman House If you are interested in hosting a training session for your employees, please contact Kelli O'Connor at 585-279-8303 or kellio@visitrochester.com . Public Relations We're Spreading the News! VisitRochester's Public Relations Efforts Update In an effort to boost media coverage and increase visitors to the area, the VisitRochester communications department is hard at work distributing news and information to out-of-town media about all the exciting things happening in Rochester. VisitRochester would like to share their PR efforts with members to enhance communication and continue to grow as a department. Media Trips New York City Pitched to Metro Parents Travel Agent Magazine Travel & Leisure Family Parents Magazine Family Circle Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine VisitRochester was accompanied by Susan Trien, Director of Public Relations and Advertising, Strong National Museum of Play Dresden Engle, Public Relations Manager, George Eastman House Press Releases Lilac Festival- sent to 65 media contacts in NY, OH, PA Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival- media contacts in NY, OH, PA Conventions NYS Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) - local and regional media NYS Restaurant Association- local and regional media Future Familiarization Tours Matt Poe-Editor, Teach & Travel Randy Mink- Editor, Prep Traveler Carol Smith- Editor, Group Tour Magazine Joe Pike- Editor, Travel Agent Magazine Convention Sales Meeting Destinations Tim James, Director of Sales, and Wendy Ford, Convention Sales Manager, from VisitRochester will be attending "Springtime In The Park", Thursday, April 16th at the Washington DC Convention Center. "Springtime In The Park" is a one-day tradeshow attracting mainly Washington, DC based meeting, convention, and trade show professionals together with exhibiting meeting destinations. Familiarization Tour The Convention Sales team will be hosting a Familiarization Tour for national and state level meeting planners and association executives June 17-19, 2009. Please watch for a date of our first planning meeting soon! If you would like more information on donating gift items, please contact Eleanor Olander at 585/262-4238 or via e-mail to eleanoro@visitrochester.com. Tourism Sales WE NEED "GREETERS" TO GREET TOUR BUSES DURING LILAC FESTIVAL Annually VisitRochester hosts a welcome tent for incoming bus tour groups. VisitRochester members are invited to meet and greet these groups as they arrive throughout the festival. This is a great way for you to come meet tour companies who enjoy bringing groups to Rochester, to build your contacts, and to speak one on one with many of the passengers. Members are being asked to offer a minimum of a 3hr shift. VisitRochester will provide a complete orientation to members who sign up. For more information and to check the schedule please contact Sonia at 585-279-8309. Lilac festival dates run from May 8 through 17th.
VisitRochester offers free on-line exposure to members as a member-benefit. Simply complete the attached packaging form and return it to us. VisitRochester will quickly post your offerings up on our web site. If your packages contain additional components beyond a special room rate offer, those packages will also be forwarded to I Love NY for posting on their website. Be creative and partner with other VisitRochester members such as restaurants, and attractions. Some popular packages include shopping discount coupons, free in-room movies, kid's activities and gas vouchers. The more creative you are the more successful you will be. VisitRochester will continue to offer the Summer Sizzler 09' discount admission tickets, similar to the coldrush coupons. This is an easy way for our hotels to include extra components in their packages without all the fuss. VisitRochester has done the work for you. If you would like to use these coupons in your packages please contact Paula Savage to obtain a supply of them along with instructions for their use. The 2009 Summer Sizzler coupons will be valid from May 15 through Sept. 15th. The coupons feature 12 participating attractions. Your hotel guests get to select which attraction they would like to visit. They will enjoy the flexibility! Please call Paula or Sonia for more information. Paula: 585-279-8305/ Sonia : 585-279-8309.
With worldwide economic conditions being so uncertain, the power of the internet has never been so appreciated. It's a great time to take advantage of every "FREE" marketing opportunity. VisitRochester has a special section posted on the website highlighting special offers. Travelers on the internet are looking for value. All VisitRochester members are invited to provide special offers for visitors to take advantage of. Special offers drive more visitor business to YOU. There is no down side to creating a special offer. For example, a 2 for 1 offer, a free glass of wine or dessert with full entrée, a % off purchase or admission, kids eat free, or a gift with purchase. Our web site allows visitors to print the coupon on demand. How easy is that!! Please use the attached special offers form and return it us at your soonest convenience. We will post your offer immediately. If you have any questions please contact Sonia at 585-279-8309. VisitRochester Pride Can you name the VisitRochester member window front, displaying the VisitRochester decal above? Please e-mail you answer to Amanda Norsen by April 13th. One winner will be randomly selected from the correct responses, and a prize will be awarded to the winner. Congratulations to Marie Emmendorfer from the Inn on Broadway who won last month. The answer was Java's Café. If you haven't received a VisitRochester decal for your location, please contact Amanda Norsen and one will be sent to you. Keep your eyes peeled for these decals as you visit member locations. | Next VIC Meeting April 21, 2009 3:30-5:00 p.m. RockVentures Click here for March meeting minutes
All VIC Meetings in 2009 will be from 3:30pm to 5:00 p.m.
A VIC Meeting Orientation will be held prior to the meeting at 3:00 for anyone looking to get more out of VIC meetings.
Over 4 Million Page Views a Year! 3 Ways to Advertise!
VisitRochesterprovides its members with additional opportunities to advertise on its popular website http://www.visitrochester.com/ .
Each year, the pages of the website are viewed over 4 million times. Here's your chance to have those eyes view your organization's information!
Click here for details. Contact Amanda Norsen at 585-279-8302 for more information. The Convention Calendar The Convention Sales Team issued 21 new sales leads and confirmed 13 new bookings for future business in March. To recieve a copy of the confidential convention calendar call Amanda Norsen at 585-279-8302 You are Invited Rain, Snow or Shine The Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside is inviting VisitRochester members to join the celebration. On Tuesday April 7 at 2:30pm the New RADISSON HOTEL ROCHESTER RIVERSIDE will be holding a press conference officially announcing their conversion. Local dignitaries such as the Mayor and County Executive are scheduled to speak as well as Dick Bair, the General Manager. The press conference will be followed by a grand reception in the Legends Restaurant and Lounge. Welcome! to Our Newest Members Cordello's Pizzeria and Restaurant The Petix Group at Park Avenue Realtors VIC Orientation Haven't been to a VIC Meeting Yet? Do you feel you are not getting the most out of VIC Meetings? Bill Gormont, the VIC Chair will be hosting a VIC Meeting Orientation every month. The Orientation will be 3:00 p.m. at the same location as the meeting. This is an opportunity to learn about the structure of the meetings and tips about how to use VIC meetings to help create more business and opportunities. Convention Services Please welcome the following groups to the Greater Rochester area in April. Society for Technical Communications African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church New York Association for Play Therapy NYS Archaeological Association NYS Women's Bowling Association RIT Juggle-In SUNY Office of University Life Chi Eta Phi Sorority Rochester Erotic Arts Festival Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church Movement - Mid Year Meeting Future Business Leaders of America, NYS Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church NYS Town Clerks Association
That's more than 5,500 convention and event attendees!
Celebrate Your News! Congratulations to all the VisitRochester members who won at the Addy Awards held March 13, 2009, presented by the Rochester Advertising Federation. VisitRochester members who won are Clark CSM, Partners & Napier, Jay Advertising, the George Eastman House, Roberts Communications, and Wegmans. The Addy Awards recognize excellence in advertising and the advertising arts. For more details on the awards and winners click here . Is your business making news? Keep us updated on exciting awards and recognitions as well as upcoming renovations and expansions to your organization.Send updates to Patti Donoghue, VP of Communications.mailto:Communications.PattiD@visitrochester.com 2008 Tourism Impact TOURISM ECONOMICS has released the 2008 economic impact report. This includes Monroe County employment and tax figures for 2008. Please Click Here to see the VisitRochester Press Release. Post Your Events You can now enter your events yourself via the VisitRochester Website. VisitRochester is actively sending visitors to the website for more information. To enter an event click here. Please contact Calin Lawrence with any questions about how to post an event or to make changes to already posted event. Relocation Leads If you are interested in receiving the relocation leads for 2009, please contact Calin Lawrence and provide an e-mail address for the monthly leads.
279-8326 Group Tour Survey "Premier Tourism Marketing" in Willowbrook, IL reported the following information from a survey conducted by Leisure Group Travel on February 20. The survey consisted of 207 group travel buyers in 2009.
|
Summer Packages Needed from Hotels for the Leisure Market 
Send us your Special Offers! 
