Tourism Divisions

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Virginia Tourism Corporation

The Virginia Tourism Authority, doing business as the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is an organization of more than 70 professionals working in the Richmond office and at 11 Welcome Centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The overriding goal of all of VTC’s activities is to “serve the broader interests of the economy of Virginia by supporting, maintaining and expanding the Commonwealth’s domestic and international inbound tourism and motion picture production industries in order to increase visitor expenditures, tax revenues and employment.”

Or, stated another way, our goal is “more people, staying longer, spending more money.”

News

• Visitor Centers Seminar
  Join us in historic Petersburg on March 19th and 20th for the 2009 Local Regional Visitor Centers Seminar. Important issues and topics that are pertinent to visitor centers’ unique challenges will be shared and discussed.  Don't miss this year’s seminar! Register Now!
  
  
• RFP for Attitudinal Research Study
  The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has issued a Request for Proposal #VTC 09-016 to enter into an agreement with a qualified vendor to conduct a quantitative attitudinal research study for the Virginia Tourism Corporation that identifies the attributes most desired in a leisure trip destination.  Sealed proposals are due not later than 4 p.m. EST on February 6, 2009.  Full details are contained in the Request for Proposal.  A mandatory pre-proposal conference/teleconference will be held at 2 p.m. EST, January 22, 2009, and requires pre-registration by 4 p.m. EST, January 20, 2009.  All parties interested in submitting a proposal are required to attend either in person or via teleconference.  Proposals will only be accepted from those Offerors who are represented at this pre-proposal conference/teleconference.  See details in the RFP for pre-registration instructions.
  
  Should your firm be interested in submitting a proposal, the Request for Proposal #VTC 09-016 may be downloaded at www.vatc.org/administration/documents/ResearchAttitudinalStudyRFPFinal.pdf .
  
  All inquiries regarding the RFP should be sent via email to tminor@virginia.org or by contacting Terry Minor at (804) 545-5523. 
  
  
• The 2009 Virginia Business Empowerment Conference
  The Making Green by Going Green Conference presents a unique opportunity
  for the region’s small, women, and minority business (SWaM) to learn more about the
  burgeoning ‘green economy.’ Whatever your business sector, whether small, medium, or
  corporate there will be something for you. Every business owner and employee needs to know
  how to prepare for the new business opportunities and drivers. Sustainability is a business
  responsibility and imperative. Don't miss this great opportunity January 30-31st. Download the PDF for more information.
  
  
• The Virginia is for Lovers online wholesale store is open for business
  Please visit our new wholesale website to view the official collection of Virginia is for Lovers merchandise. All products featured are available for immediate shipment and come pre-labeled with UPC bar codes. New product is being added daily. Create a wholesale account at the secure online store and start generating revenues for your business today!
  
  
• Get Media Coverage with 40th Anniversary Travel Packages and Deals
  VTC Public Relations is seeking Virginia is for Lovers -40th Anniversary travel packages and deals to promote to media throughout 2009. VTC PR will issue a series of news releases to national media starting in February, showcasing packages that tie into 40 years of Virginia is for Lovers and promote Live Passionately.
  We seek packages that focus on travel passions such as history, wine, music, culinary, spa, luxury, outdoor adventure and family fun. We are also interested in birthday packages for travelers turning 40 in 2009.
  Partners can develop as many packages as possible (the more the better) and include offerings for each season. Please include 40th anniversary in the package title and description. This is a year long opportunity. Packages must be posted on Virginia.org through the Administration Tool. Click here to login to the Administration Tool and here for information on posting packages to Virginia.org

  Questions? Contact Tamra Talmadge-Anderson at ttanderson@virginia.org or Casey Higgins at chiggins@virginia.org

• Motorcycle Grand Tour of Virginia
  Sign-up to be a sponsor of the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Virginia, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of “Virginia is for Lovers!”  The Motorcycle Grand Tour, (March 2009-Oct. 2009) is a partnership between the Governor’s Motorcycle Advisory Council and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association (VHTA) with support from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. This statewide tour of Virginia’s attractions, restaurants and hotel-lodging facilities will target the growing market of motorcycle riders and promote the commonwealth as a top motorcycle destination. For more information, contact Diana Boxey at (800) 552-2225 at the VHTA. Download the contract and information here.
  
  
• Sports Virginia
  Sports Virginia is a new statewide collaboration of professionals from local convention and visitor bureaus, sports commissions, parks and recreation offices and facilities.  Our main goal is to bring more sports competitions and events to Virginia to increase visitor expenditures, tax revenues and employment statewide.  Read more to see how you can add your Sporting Venue to the new website.
  
  
• VTC Cooperative Media Plan
  We are very pleased to present the new 18-month Virginia Tourism Cooperative media plan for Virginia Tourism Corporation and industry partners. This media plan covers January 1, 2009-June 30, 2010.
  
  
• Virginia Green Travel Site
  www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org, a new Web site dedicated to environmentally friendly travel in Virginia was recently launched. The new travel site supports Virginia Green, a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that promotes environmentally friendly practices in Virginia’s tourism industry. Join Virginia Green
  
  
• FY2007 Virginia Visitor Profile – detailing trips taken between July 2006 and June 2007 – is now available to Virginia’s travel industry. The 17 pages worth of information includes: purpose of travel, travel party characteristics, destinations visited, activities engaged in, visitor origins, trip satisfaction, and much more. Customized visitor profiles are also available for larger regions and segments. To learn more please go to http://www.vatc.org/research/visitation.asp
  

• Workshop Opportunities:
  The VTC Partnership Alliance Marketing Division is working to bring workshops to help you with your tourism attractions and businesses.