TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES |
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This partner communication exists to provide updates on Sonoma County Tourism’s programs and offerings, along with additional news and resources to support Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry. |
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Summer is definitely in full swing! SCT began its FY22-23 fiscal year on July 1 and the team is busy with several new projects, a full travel schedule and lots of work within the sustainability/responsible traveler space. Summer is not normally an intent marketing period for Sonoma County, but we are continuing paid media and content with an invitation to visit Sonoma County and to do so responsibly. We, along with destinations across the country, are seeing general softening in both occupancy and spend. Gas prices, economic uncertainties and decreasing consumer sentiment are dampening that enormous pent-up demand for travel we experienced during the first six months of the calendar year. You’ll notice a TravelZoo promotion below. Please participate if this fits your audience. This is a “bottom of the funnel” opportunity meaning people are ready to travel, they just need a reason. We will continue to track performance and work to ensure that if someone is ready to travel, Sonoma County is in their consideration set.
Very best wishes for a tremendous remainder of the summer.
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Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
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Save the Date for SCT’s Annual Meeting
Mark your calendars for Sonoma County Tourism’s Annual Meeting, September 21 at Sonoma State University. As SCT continues its destination stewardship platform, we’ll offer breakout sessions on integrating sustainable practices as well as amplifying marketing and social media programs. We hope you’ll join us!
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Sebastopol Hospitality Mixer
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Sonoma County Tourism invites you to attend a business mixer at Blue Ridge Kitchen Events at the Barlow on Thursday, August 25 from 5pm to 6:30pm. Join SCT for an afternoon of drinks, bites, and gaiety as we reconnect after a prolonged period of virtual gatherings.
Although you are free to forward this to your direct colleagues, please do not share this invitation outside of your business/organization. The deadline to register is August 21 or until we have reached capacity, whichever comes first.
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Questions regarding this event can be directed to Tracy Koch at tkoch@sonomacounty.com. We hope to see you there!
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Final Call for Community Sentiment Survey
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Sonoma County Tourism and its partners at the Coraggio Group have extended the deadline to take part in its community sentiment survey through August 12. The results of this survey will provide valuable insights that inform the development of our Destination Stewardship and Resilience Plan. If you haven’t already, please consider taking the survey below (and share the link with others) to help us determine the directions we take to preserve our healthy visitor economy for years to come.
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Please keep in mind:
- All responses are confidential.
- The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
- The survey must be completed in one session. If you exit the survey or leave the survey window open for an extended period, your partial response will be submitted, and you will be unable to retake the survey.
- Once you press “Done” your input will be sent directly to Coraggio. The information will be used to generate a report shared with Sonoma County Tourism.
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If you have any questions about this survey or the process in general, please contact Yahya Haqiqi at yahya@coraggiogroup.com. Thank you.
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Travel with Sonoma County Tourism to Upcoming Tradeshows
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Sonoma County Tourism offers partners the opportunity to join SCT staff at select tradeshows throughout the year. These events are wonderful opportunities for SCT partners to connect with meeting planners, travel buyers, and media to promote your property, negotiate future business, and build relationships.
If you are interested in joining SCT at an upcoming tradeshow, please download and fill out the Tradeshow Participation Form. Participation is rolling until all opportunities are filled. Space is limited and participation is based on a first-response basis.
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Publicity Alert
The summer travel season is in full swing, and Sonoma County is getting interest from journalists and influencers following two years of pent-up desire to travel. Sonoma County Tourism’s public relations efforts can help elevate the visibility of your business. Chances are higher when you host local, regional, or national travel and lifestyle journalists and influencers. Our public relations team of Biggi and Chris invite you to send them any offers they can pitch to media. A few examples include what’s new, milestones and anniversary promotions, or wellness and sustainability/responsible travel experiences. It’s easy to add your special offer to our Media Handbook. Contact Biggi or Chris at publicrelations@sonomacounty.com.
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Free Partner Advertising Opportunity
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Sonoma County Tourism has teamed up with Travelzoo to promote Sonoma County and help drive more visitors to our hotels and attractions through 2022. As part of our campaign, we will have a partner promotion on the Travelzoo website and the campaign will be promoted on its media network between late August and October.
As a Sonoma County Tourism partner, all you have to do is submit an offer for consideration here. Offers should be sent as soon as possible but no later than August 16.
Please note that this is a free opportunity funded by Sonoma County Tourism to support our local partners, however not every offer will be approved and incomplete offer submissions will not be reviewed. A limit of 15 partners may participate on a first-come, first-served basis.
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SCT Featured in The Travel Vertical
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Sonoma County Tourism President & CEO Claudia Vecchio recently participated in a Q&A for The Travel Vertical, exploring SCT’s evolution from a destination marketing organization to a destination stewardship organization. The conversation covers SCT’s approach to attracting travelers while safeguarding the needs of residents and businesses by evolving sales and marketing initiatives to embrace sustainability and regenerative travel.
Click here to read the conversation.
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Road Cleanup & Prize Raffle
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Sonoma County Tourism is holding another roadside beautification event on Wednesday, August 31 from 9am-11:30am. The one-mile section of road we’ll be cleaning is Petaluma Hill Road (in Santa Rosa from Winterhaven through Hopi Trail). We invite you to join us for another morning of sunshine, exercise, and great company while we do our part to help keep Sonoma County pristine for visitors and residents. Volunteers that join us on August 31 will be entered to win a $100 dining certificate to a local restaurant.
Cleanup supplies will be provided by Sonoma County Tourism and Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works. Volunteers will be given a Sonoma County Tourism Cares t-shirt.
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Recent Honors and Nominations
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Sonoma County Tourism and its agency partners at Fahlgren Mortine were recently bestowed two top honors at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Central Ohio PRism Awards in the categories of Media Relations – Consumer Products and Services and Integrated Communications.
Additionally, Sonoma County Tourism has been nominated for three ESTO awards in the categories of Community Building, Digital Campaign, and PR Campaign. ESTO (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations) is the premier annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals. Its awards recognize U.S. Travel destination members for excellence and creative accomplishment in destination marketing and promotion at the local and regional level. Winners will be announced on August 9.
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SCT Seeking Communications Manager
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Sonoma County Tourism is seeking qualified candidates for its new Communications Manager position. In addition to overseeing partner communications (like this newsletter!), this individual will play a critical role in communicating SCT’s messaging to media, trade publications, and other stakeholders.
If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for this position, please visit SCT’s Career and RFP Opportunities page here to apply.
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