TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES |
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This partner communication exists to provide timely information on Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry, along with resources to help partners navigate through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. |
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When asked in a recent KSRO interview how Sonoma County will fare best into recovery, Dr. Robert Eyler stated that two big things need to happen. The first of which is getting people traveling again and staying in lodging properties, and frequenting restaurants, retailers and local businesses. This aligns with the messages Dr. Jerry Nicklesburg expressed at the recent EDB Economic Forecast where he said: “Sonoma County, and this is the real policy implication of this pandemic, needs to be able to broadcast to its potential tourist clients that it’s safe to come again and travel and stay in hotels and go to restaurants, et cetera.” I may be preaching to the choir, but if past is prologue, we’ve seen time and again that the tourism industry leads economies out of recession. We will do this again, but only with great partnerships and clutter-busting creative. Now is our time to show people how Life (really does) Open Up in Sonoma County!
We need your help to accomplish what’s before us. Please take a few minutes to complete the partner survey and register for the upcoming All-Industry call. We look forward to your feedback and participation.
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Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
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Sonoma County Tourism 2021 Partner Survey
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While Sonoma County, and all organizations that market the area, have become accustomed to working through and emerging out of a crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic is a protracted and globally consequential crisis that will require partnerships across all industry sectors to help ensure full recovery. As we begin planning for this recovery, Sonoma County Tourism is very interested in hearing from our partners. We fully realize we all will be trying to achieve more with less, financial resources are extremely limited, and our pathway forward may be rerouted by obstacles, so want to ensure our programs are highly focused and truly benefit your business.
Please take a few minutes to answer our survey here so we can be sure to create a recovery plan that will work for all.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
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As an incentive:
If you submit your survey on or before Feb. 19, you will be entered to win:
One of 10 Sonoma County Tasting passes good for one day (for 2) of tastings at a variety of wineries, craft breweries and distilleries.
One of five (5) sumptuous Sonoma County Wellness boxes filled with items to pamper yourself.
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All Industry Update meeting
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Join Sonoma County Tourism on February 24 at 9 a.m. for a virtual all-industry update. Learn about SCT’s efforts over the past year, receive an overview of SCT’s recovery plan for our industry, and get an early look at the organization’s amplified commitment to sustainability. |
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Winery Events Policy Discussion
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Permit Sonoma is presenting an opportunity for the public to provide input at a virtual public workshop on February 18, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. regarding the development of the draft County Winery Events Policy. This effort is a countywide initiative related to agricultural zoning districts outside of the Coastal Zone.
The public workshop will be conducted via videoconference only without a physical location from which members of the public may observe and offer public comment. Members of the public may watch, listen, and participate in the workshop through Zoom or by phone. In addition, written comments can be submitted prior to the hearing via email at PRMD-WineryEvents@sonoma-county.org.
The agenda and meeting materials for the virtual public workshop will be posted one week prior to the meeting at the project website here. The link for attending the meeting will be posted one week prior to the workshop on the project website. Participants are encouraged to register in advance for the workshop here.
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Fighting Food Insecurity with Redwood Empire Food Bank
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Sonoma County Tourism recently announced plans for its March 4, 2021 Tourism Cares event benefiting the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Food insecurity has long been a year-round struggle, but the economic fallout from the coronavirus has created a need unlike anything in recent memory.
Whether donating time, food, or money, any form of help can make a world of difference for the thousands of vulnerable children, seniors, and adults requiring fresh food, groceries, and meals in Sonoma County.
Please click here to learn more about how you can help. Thank you.
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Bipartisan Coalition Introduces Tourism Industry Bill
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Earlier this month, Senator Mike McGuire and co-author Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, introduced SB 285, which would provide $45 million to Visit California to launch a strategic media and jobs recovery campaign to drive in-state travel to the businesses that have been hit so hard – our state’s renowned restaurants, hotels, and local destinations. Visit California will multiply the value of the appropriation through newspapers and broadcast media, which have agreed to match the funds from the state.
To learn more about this bi-partisan bill (supported by UNITE HERE!, California Travel Association, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, California Broadcast Association, California News Publishers Association, and many others), click here.
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2021 Workforce Development Survey
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The Sonoma County Economic Development Board invites you to participate in the 2021 Workforce Development Survey – an initiative of the EDB in partnership with the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board. Your confidential responses will be used to form actionable recommendations and better align workforce development programs to address your needs. Those interested in taking the survey are asked to do so by Friday, February 19. The survey can be accessed here.
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Valentine’s Day Social Media Guide
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U.S. Travel is continuing its holiday-themed series of social media graphics encouraging visitors to #TravelConfidently. If you’re looking for some free-to-use Valentine’s Day social media graphics to encourage folks to mask up, click here.
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Sonoma County Tourism has a Coronavirus Partner Toolkit regularly updated here.
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board has compiled a comprehensive list of local, state, and government resources (including financing options) for businesses at their SoCo Launch website here.
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Get tested and help Sonoma County eliminate the coronavirus. Broad COVID-19 viral testing is now available. Learn more here.
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