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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We are always delighted to recognize those in our industry who through their creativity, tenacity, warmth, and problem-solving skills exemplify “hospitality.” As noted below, nominations for the 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards are now being sought. We encourage everyone to look around their own businesses, staff members and those where you’ve had tremendous experiences and nominate someone you feel is deserving of this award. If it’s you… that’s okay too! We all know tourism and hospitality is a 24/7 business. There’s never a down time. People who work in hospitality are amazing every day. You’re truly the face of Sonoma County. You’re the reason this destination has such a loyal fan base! Please help us find those gems who really shine. We look forward to telling their stories!
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Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
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Nominate the Best and Brightest in the Hospitality Industry
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Nominations for the 2023 annual Stars of the Industry Awards are now open in 9 categories, honoring both businesses and individuals. We encourage you to submit your business and staff for consideration. Submissions are due no later than March 3. Please note that each business is limited to one nomination per category, but multiple category nominations will be accepted.
Sonoma County Tourism will review all entries and determine the three finalists for each category. Once the finalists are announced, voting will be open to the public. Winners will be announced at the Stars of the Industry Awards ceremony on May 9.
All selected finalists will be showcased in a video feature, captured by Definition Films. This footage will be played at the ceremony and made available to finalists for their unrestricted marketing or personal use.
Categories:
1) Front of the House
2) Heart of the House
3) Rising Star
4) Environmental Stewardship/Sustainable Practices
5) Customer Experience
6) Lodging Property of the Year
7) Community Enrichment
8) Champion of the Industry
9) Innovation Award (separate form)
For more information on the Stars of the Industry Awards or to become a beverage sponsor contact Kelly Bass Seibel at kseibel@sonomacounty.com.
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From February 20-26, some of the best local restaurants will be offering special menus and discounts for you to enjoy.
This is your chance to support the vibrant and diverse culinary scene of Sonoma County and taste the unique flavors that our local restaurants have to offer.
By dining out during Restaurant Week, you’ll be supporting small businesses and helping to sustain our local economy.
You can find a list of participating restaurants on the Sonoma County App or by clicking the Button Below.
If you have any questions, please contact Restaurant Week project coordinator, Aleena Decker, at restaurantweek@sonoma-county.org or by phone at (707) 565-7221.
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Vacation Rental Committee
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SCT is organizing a Vacation Rental Committee to create a robust communications channel between the short-term rental community and Sonoma County Tourism. As a channel for insights, SCT will invite members of the vacation rental community to share information, including:
- General understanding about Sonoma County Tourism and benefits available
- Marketing opportunities through SCT’s paid, earned and owned channels
- Collective industry messaging
- Community engagement opportunities
- Connectivity with the Sonoma County Hospitality Association – policy and legal implications
Participation is open to owners/operators or property managers in unincorporated Sonoma County – the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) paid by the property is part of the county-wide fund for which SCT receives a portion.
In keeping with board policy, any interested persons should apply via the SonomaCounty.com Committee Application.
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2022 Donation Drive Results
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Late last year, Sonoma County Tourism partnered with several local chambers and visitors centers on a personal hygiene products donation drive in aid of Sonoma County’s unhoused population. We put out the call for help, and our generous business community came through for us in a big way, donating approximately 4,400 items including: 109 bottles of body lotion; 131 tubes of toothpaste; 134 toothbrushes; 443 tampons/pads; 658 bottles of shampoo/conditioner; and 1,366 bars/bottles of soap/bodywash, among other items.
The total weight of donated product was 365 pounds, surpassing 2021’s donation drive total of 236 pounds.
Sonoma County Tourism extends its gratitude to the following chambers and visitor centers for their participation:
- Cotati Chamber of Commerce
- Mark West Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
- Petaluma Visitors Program
- Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce
- Russian River Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
- Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
- Windsor Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
To every hospitality partner that contributed to this effort, we applaud your generosity and thank you for your help. Your donations are going to have such a positive impact on many of Sonoma County’s most vulnerable residents. Again, we thank you!
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Elevate Conference Annual Silent Auction
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Highlight your product, destination, or service to over 1,700 Association Professionals.
The California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE) is hosting its annual conference in Santa Rosa April 17-19. The program includes a Silent Auction open to all of its 1,700 members. Many of whom are decision makers and influencers for executive retreats, board meetings, and conferences. Items up for donation may include experiences, overnight stays and more.
Donations and bidding are open to both members and non-members regardless of conference attendance.
Follow These Steps to Donate:
- Click "Donate an Item" below to go to the auction site.
- You must first register as a bidder in order to make a donation. This step will ask for credit card info, but you will not be charged unless you later bid on an item.
- Click "Event Info" button.
- Scroll down to bottom right and click "Donate Item" button.
- Fill out and submit your item's info, please include a photo if possible.
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Sonoma County Tourism has put the power of travel into visitor’s hands by introducing a new comprehensive, highly interactive, and user friendly visitor experience mobile app.
The new application showcases Sonoma County while creating an engaging and intuitive way for visitors to research, plan, and experience their visit to the destination. The app even empowers users to work towards goals and challenges to unlock status badges and rewards.
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Download and share the Sonoma County App |
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