October Viz Biz

From the President.....

On the economy......

There is no doubt that the current world economic situation is having an impact on VisitRochester's members.   We want you to know your leadership - via input from the Board of Directors, the Visitor Industry Council (VIC) and staff - is working in concert, to minimize negative impacts and maximize opportunities for stabilization.   Your Board Marketing Committee, with full Board concurrence, has recently approved a streamlined process for development of the 2009 Business Plan, which will allow the organization to remain nimble and responsive to these challenging times.   While the immediate effects of the economic situation are unknown to us, past history teaches that those companies who continue marketing and outreach efforts to their customers in difficult economic times, suffer less during the event and rebound more quickly than those who retreat from the marketplace.  We will do all in our power to be aggressive in protecting your interests and continuing to present our community as a price/value leader for all types of visitation.  Thank you for your continued support for the long-term mission of VisitRochester. Together, as the powerful team we are, we will overcome the present challenges and turn them into opportunities for future growth.

Membership

So, You Want to be in a picture?!

Date and time:  Tuesday Oct.14 at 3 pm, rain dates Wed.10/15 or Th.10/16
Corn Hill Navigation, operators of SAM PATCH and MARY JEMISON tour boats, will be staging a photo shoot of the two boats on the Genesee River/Erie Canal (Sam and Mary coming out from under the arch over the I-490 bridge). They asked that VisitRochester extend an invitation to representatives of VisitRochester members to participate.   They are aiming for 50-60 people to meet at Corn Hill Landing where the boats will be moored.    CHN plans to load 10-15 people on the bow of Sam Patch, 25-30 on the bow and top deck of Mary Jemison and any additional people will act as spectators on the dock. The boats will depart dock 3 pm, probably at least 2 trips, back by 3:45. Parking under the bridge just north of Corn Hill Landing. Aim for 2:30 arrival. Reward for participation: sign up for 5X7 print of final photo. Any questions, call Ted Curtis at 244-5151.

All Aboard for the October VIC Meeting!

The October VIC meeting will be held aboard the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway.   We will be boarding the train in Victor.   Parking is available in the public Village Parking Lot off Rt. 96 located adjacent to the Victor Village Hall.   Click here  for details.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

8:00-8:30am- Continental Breakfast and Networking aboard the train

8:30-10:00am- Business meeting aboard the train

Please note: the train will be moving from 9:00-9:30am

Learn more about the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway and about the upcoming exhibit Trains! at the George Eastman House.  

For September VIC minutes  click here 

Congratulation Bite at the Beach winners!

On September 9th VisitRochester held "A Bite at the Beach" at the Roger Robach Center, Ontario Beach Park.  The evening was filled with wonderful smells from our participating restaurant members.  We would like to congratulate the following members for winning our "Golden Fork" awards:

Best use of local products: Glenora Wine Cellers

Best Presentation: Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar

Best Tasting: Sticky Lips Pit BBQ 

Public Relations

LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION Scheduled for November 20, 2008

Please check your "snail mail" for an invitation to attend the annual legislative reception hosted by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, Rochester Hotel Association and VisitRochester.   Be sure to join us at the RIT Inn & Conference Center for the town meeting at 4:30 PM and the reception at 5:30. This is your opportunity to discuss issues related to our industry with our local legislators.  To learn more and to register online go to http://www.nyshta.org/ - look for "Event Registration" in the upper left corner or e-mail Amanda Norsen, director or member care at amandan@visitrochester.com 

Convention Sales

Please join us in welcoming Wendy Ford to the Convention Sales department and the VisitRochester family. Wendy is an RIT graduate - in their hospitality management curriculum. She recently moved back to the Rochester area after gaining strong experience in both hotel sales, with such outstanding brands as Holiday Inn and Sheraton, and catering. She brings a wealth of hospitality experience to the team and we are delighted to welcome her.

The Convention Sales team issued 12 new sales leads in August, 17 new sales leads in September and confirmed 3 bookings for future business in August and 4 in September. 

VisitRochester in partnership with the Monroe County Sports Commission, hosted the Rochester Boomtown Invitational Golf Tournament Tuesday, August 18th at Irondequoit Country Club for our local convention and sports contacts . Click Here to find out who made up our winning  foursome!

Convention Services    

Please welcome the following groups to the Greater Rochester area in October:American Planning Association of NYS;Blue Knights;Campground Owners of NY;College Student Personnel Association of NYS;Comfort Systems USA;Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative - E.R.O.I.;ImageOut Rochester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival;International Neurotoxicology Conference;NY Assn of Approved Environmental Laboratories;NYS Assn. of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators;NYS Cancer Registrars Association;NYS Chapter, Meals on Wheels Assn. of America;NYS Engineering Technology Association;NYS Humane Association;Office of the Deputy Secretary for Education - NYS;Optical Society of America;Science Teachers Association of NYS

That's more than 5,000 convention attendees!

Visitor Services

VISITROCHESTER'S MOBILE INFORMATION CENTER!

Thanks to Joe DeMars - our first VisitRochester Member volunteer!

Joe was able to join VisitRochester staff at the International Airshow a few weeks ago, and talked with visitors from all over the country! He distributed Carpe Diem Travel brochures and was able to recommend a few great things for visitors to see and do.

Are you interested in promoting your business at upcoming festivals and events? Please contact Kelli O'Connor , Director of Convention and Visitor Services, for more information.

Look for the Mobile Information Center at this upcoming event:

10/11-13 - Rochester River Romance

Rochester/Finger Lakes Film Office

The Film Office reports a very busy 3^rd quarter. Among the projects shooting in our region are numerous commercial and music videos, notably a music video for the band SKY LARKIN (Film Orange).   Also, MY BODY POLITIC with Simi Linton, a documentary on living with disabilities (CVT Productions).

The Film Office has also been working with numerous out of town producers, providing location photos and information on our region for films that they intend to film in the spring of 2009.

June Foster and Nora Brown will head up a WIFTR contingent to the Muse Awards Luncheon hosted by NY Women in Film and Television in December.

June Foster attended the IFFM/IFP, (Independent Feature Film Market/Independent Film Project) in New York.

The Film Office continues to work with the Roundtable Initiatives to boost film production in Rochester/Upstate/and Western New York.

Local producers Jeffrey Mead (POV-Rose Films) premiered his documentary JUST ADD WATER to a full house at the Dryden Theatre.   The film highlights the efforts of the Water for Sudan project, and follows a group from Caledonia, NY on their trip to Sudan to witness the drilling of a well in a remote village.

Rochester and Upstate New York region had a great showing in the I LOVE NY short film competition.    Sean Cunningham (Syracuse) was the Grand Prize winner as well as the Central NY region winner.   Jeffrey Baron (Rochester NY) was awarded the Young Filmmaker honors.   You can see all of the winners by visiting www.metacafe.com/iloveny