Spring 2013 Quarterly Meeting &
Virgo Awards
May 16 - 17, 2013
The Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon, VA
REGISTER NOW
Join us for the 2013 VACVB Spring Meeting and the Virgo Awards at the beautiful and historic Martha Washington Inn. Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the historic town of Abingdon, Virginia, was incorporated in 1778. Since its inception Abingdon has been known not only for its breathtaking views, but also for a love of the arts.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience this unique part of Virginia.
Virgo Award Nomination Form
Use the new electronic submission form to submit all your nominations for this year's Virgo Awards!
All submissions are due by May 1, 2013
Schedule Overview
Thursday, May 16
9:00 - 11:00 AM - Registration Open
9:00 – 11:00 AM - Board Meeting
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM -
Travel Guides Gone Wild - The Digital Explosion
12:30 – 1:45 PM - Lunch
1:45 – 3:00 PM -
Building a Successful Festival
3:15 - 8:00 PM -
Tour of the historic Barter Theatre
Reception at Wolf Hills Brewery
Trolley Tour of Abingdon
Dinner at Heartwood: SWVA Artisan Gateway
Friday, May 17
8:00 AM - Registration Open
8:00 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM -
Regional Tourism Part Two:
Find the Thread, Make the Tapestry!
OR
CEO Roundtable
10:15 - 10:30 AM - Break
10:30 - 11:45 AM –
Emergency Response & Recovery - Are you ready?
12:00 - 1:30 PM - Lunch - Member Meeting & Virgo Awards
Session Descriptions
Thursday, May 16
Travel Guides Gone Wild - The Digital Explosion
Presented by Scott Templeton - Senior Vice President/Publisher Leisure Publishing and Jeff Wood - Digital Publications Editor Leisure Publishing
Traditional print magazine and visitor guide publishers are enjoying dramatic change and unprecedented success with the rise of the tablet revolution. Engagement is the name of the game and many print to mobile technologies are filling a real need with travel planners.
Learn how the Virginia Tourism Corporation plans to utilize this technology and enhance their core information product, the "Virginia Travel Guide" with rich media and seasonal content. You'll also get tips on how to properly digitize your own guide to ensure an exciting reader experience.
Building a Successful Festival
Presented by Leah Ross - Executive Director of The Birthplace of Country Music®
Rhythm and Roots Reunion; could this ROI be for you? Learn key points of creating and executing a successful event that brings tourism dollars to your community by building on your local history.
Friday, May 17
Regional Tourism Part Two: Find the Thread, Make the Tapestry!
Presented by Jack Hinshelwood - Executive Director The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
Learn how the trail was developed and became a hit with the VTC and is sold collaboratively. Last quarter we talked about regional tourism and putting itineraries together to include several cities with similar themes. This session will show us how a successful product has become a favorite tour destination.
Emergency Recovery - Are you ready?
Presented by L. V. Pokey Harris, Emergency Manager - Washington County and Bob Spieldenner - VA Department of Emergency Management
How can a DMO play a role in recovery from a natural disaster or emergency crisis? Who has better partners and key contacts for housing and food than a DMO? Learn how to create partnerships to assist in a time of need.
Registration
Registration includes all meals listed in the schedule below. Registration for individuals of DMO member organizations is $135 and registration for non-members $185. Allied Members may send 2 representatives to attend at no cost as a benefit of membership.
To register online, please choose the registration option to the left.
You may mail or fax in the Registration Form to:
VACVB
PO Box 3363
Warrenton, VA 20188
Fax: 202.962.3939
Accommodations
The Martha Washington Hotel & Spa
150 West Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 628-3161
Please mention VACVB when making your reservation to get our reduced rate of $150. The reservation deadline is May 1st.
Thanks to our host CVB