TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES
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.
April 20, 2023
This week showcases each of Sonoma County Tourism’s three core pillars. We started the week with a tremendous opportunity to promote the region to meeting planners through the CalSAE meeting. With a homebase at the Hyatt, the group of about 180 started by experiencing three Sonoma County treasures: the Charles M. Schulz Museum, the Armstrong Redwoods with Getaway Adventures and Bacchus Landing. They then gathered at Paradise Ridge for a wonderful taste of Sonoma where food, floral and home goods purveyors offered samples of their goods. The response has been really positive! 

We are now getting ready for the TODAY show taping and the Start TODAY Wellness Retreat. This has been a monumental undertaking! Great thanks to our amazing partners for offering locations, expertise, creativity and goods for use in this enormous opportunity. 

Finally, as destination stewards, we are committed to protecting and preserving this place, and, with Earth Week, we’re able to showcase some of the initiatives Sonoma County Tourism has undertaken. A press release will soon be distributed regarding an exciting new undertaking. The alignment of all three core pillars doesn’t happen very often or with such extraordinary fanfare. But, in this case, this week is that once in a very rare instance where everything is aligning. It’s both incredibly exciting and incredibly meaningful.  

 
Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
Tune in TODAY
The Third Hour of the TODAY show is taking their broadcast on the road to Sonoma County! The show will be broadcast at 9am this Friday, April 21 so don't forget to set your DVRs!
Hospitality Mixer Bodega Bay
Just 17 slots remain for our April 27 Hospitality Mixer at The Tides Wharf Restaurant in Bodega Bay. Join us from 5 to 6:30pm for an afternoon of superb wines, appetizers prepared by The Tides Wharf Restaurant, and excellent company.
 
Parking is included (and while plenty of space is available, carpooling is encouraged). Additional event information will be sent two days prior to the event to those who register.
 
The deadline to register is April 21 by 12pm, or until we have reached capacity.
Questions can be directed to Tracy Koch at tkoch@sonomacounty.com
Tourism Cares + Humane Society of Sonoma County
Sonoma County Tourism Cares is delighted to cap off National Travel & Tourism Week by partnering with the Humane Society of Sonoma County on a morning of projects supporting Sonoma County’s furriest residents!

Join us Friday, May 12 from 9am - noon as we work with the Humane Society of Sonoma County’s Santa Rosa branch to prepare small pet food bags, perform landscape maintenance, and tackle any other tasks as assigned.

Volunteer slots for this event are limited and are expected to fill quickly. Please only register if you are confident you will be able to participate the morning of May 12.

Questions regarding this event can be directed to Devin McConnell at dmcconnell@sonomacounty.com.
Pinot Purple for Hospitality
For the fourth consecutive year, Sonoma County Tourism is encouraging, and helping to enable local businesses to cast its properties in purple light - the official color of hospitality in Sonoma County.

As a part of National Travel & Tourism Week SCT is providing purple gels at no cost for businesses with outdoor lighting during the nights of May 7-13.

To ensure your participation please order your lights by April 21.
Cast Your Vote for the 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards!
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards. Over 100 deserving nominations were received, and have been pared down to three finalists in each category.

Voting closes this Friday, April 21 at 5pm, and is limited to one ballot per person, per day. Feel free to share this announcement with your peers and the public to encourage voting.
Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 9 during the Stars of the Industry Awards dinner and ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country.

Tickets are available for $75 each or $550 for a table of eight. A reception will take place from 5pm-6pm with the dinner & awards program immediately following from 6pm-8pm.

5pm - 6pm: Reception
6pm - 8pm: Dinner & Awards
Location: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country 170 Railroad St. Santa Rosa CA, 95401
Upcoming Events in Sonoma County
Fun for all ages can be found all over Sonoma County with these upcoming spring festivals! 

"50 Years of Looking For a Hooking"
  • April 22 - 23
  • 10am - 5pm
  • Bodega Bay, CA

“There’s No Place Like Home”
  • April 22
  • 10am - 5pm
  • Parade at Noon
  • Petaluma, CA

“Celebrate Sonoma County”  
  • April 29 - April 30
  • 10am - 6pm 
  • Sebastopol, CA
Restaurants Care Grant
Restaurant Owners!

Independently owned restaurants may be eligible for a $5,000 grant through Restaurants Care. Application window is April 15 – May 7.
 
Restaurants can use grants for:
  • Kitchen equipment
  • Technology upgrades
  • Employee training and bonuses
  • Unforeseen hardships
 
More information and alert sign ups can be found at the following link:
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Sonoma County Tourism | sonomacounty.com