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       Volume VI, Issue 6: June 2008
     
 

The mission of the NCSTD is to leverage the collective strength of state tourism offices to influence public policy, and to provide leadership and the forum for information sharing and education on issues impacting tourism. 

This Issue:

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Blaine Luetkemeyer resigned as director of the Missouri Division of Tourism in February to run for the state legislature.  A search for a successor is underway.  In the meantime, Bob Smith, deputy director, is serving as interim director.

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NATIONAL CHAIR CAROLINE BETETA CALLS FOR BIG TURNOUT FOR TLS; 25 STATES SIGNED ON; PACKETS E-MAILED TO STATE LEADERS
National Chair Caroline Beteta is calling on more states to join the 25 states that have committed to bringing delegates to this year's Travel Leadership Summit, September 24 and 25 in Washington, DC. "This year as our nation prepares to elect a new president, it is critical that the voice of the travel industry is heard," Beteta said in a recent letter calling for a big turnout. Beteta, who will lead the California delegation, is encouraging as much participation as possible "to demonstrate the national scope and breadth of our industry." All state delegate leaders were recently e-mailed the event packet with invitations, e-mail lists and other resources. If your packet did not arrive or you want to form a delegation, contact Melissa Gong at mgong@tia.org. To register as a participant, click here. For more information, visit www.tia.org/tls.

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MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS REQUESTED
The 2007-2008 overall state budget numbers were released at the NCSTD Spring Forum in February in Washington, D.C.  Given that state budgets are subject to frequent adjustments based on changing economic conditions, the NCSTD recommended that a mid-year update be conducted.  An email communication was sent from TIA's National Councils Department to all tourism directors on June 19 requesting any revisions to the original submission.  Directors are asked to provide revisions, or indicate "no change", to James Brown at jbrown@tia.org by July 15.  These numbers are often used to justify funding requests; therefore, it is valuable to have the latest information possible.  A revised chart will be sent to all directors as soon as the information has been gathered. To view a PDF version of the 2007-2008 budget survey, please visit the NCSTD Resource Center.

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INTERNATIONAL PR OPPORTUNITY (DISCOVERAMERICA.COM)DiscoverAmerica.com, the official travel and tourism website of the United States, is completing launch activities in its five target international markets. The post-launch strategy to sustain interest and drive consumer use to the site includes an e-newsletter for media promoting activities and major events, festivals and tourism news items (i.e. Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Rose Parade, food and wine festivals, etc.) that encourages use of DiscoverAmerica.com as a call to action. TIA plans to distribute the first newsletter in July and is inviting all states to forward news from their states on events taking place from August to December 2008 to media@discoveramerica.com for consideration in this newsletter. DEADLINE:  July 15, 2008.

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ESTO 2008 IS TRACKING TO POST RECORD ATTENDANCE
ESTO is still eight weeks away but registration numbers are near last year's record attendance.  At press time, current registrations have nearly doubled last year's year to date numbers.   While some of the early, strong interest is due to registration and program information being available earlier, Diane Shober, director, Wyoming State Office of Travel and Tourism and co-chair of the 2008 ESTO Program Committee, believes that participation in ESTO is growing because ESTO is "unique, targeted, and the only forum that brings local, state and regional destination professionals together in a high-energy environment that results in new ideas, increased partnerships and greater connectivity."  Visit www.tia.org/ESTO for more information and to register.

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TIA LAUNCHES NATIONAL ATTRACTIONS BAROMETER; ALL ATTRACTIONS URGED TO PARTICIPATE
TIA, through its National Council of Attractions, recently launched the National Attractions Barometer.  Developed in partnership with The George Washington University's International Institute of Tourism Studies, the Barometer is the nation's only confidential online platform that allows attraction sales and marketing professionals, owners and managers the ability to monitor attendance trends by type of attraction, specific geographic region, or nationwide. It's easy to use, completely confidential, and free of charge to ALL attractions, both TIA members AND non-members.

The National Council of Attractions is requesting the assistance of the state tourism offices in reaching attractions and encouraging their participation in this exciting new tool.  Tourism directors can help by including an article in their state's newsletter or by sending the following link via email to attractions in their states www.NationalAttractionsBarometer.org.  Specific questions should be directed to Patten Wood at pwood@tia.org.

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STATE TIA'S PLAN FULL DAY AT ESTO
Representatives from statewide travel industry associations, who have been meeting in conjunction with ESTO for the past few years, will expand their discussions to a full day at this year's event.  On Sunday, August 24 state industry association delegates will spend the morning discussing various organizational structures, budgets, and programs.  The afternoon will focus on national public policy issues and priorities and open forum discussion.  For more information, contact James Brown at jbrown@tia.org.

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MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM REGISTRATION OPENS
Registration is now open for TIA's Marketing Outlook Forum to be held in Portland, Oregon, October 27-30, 2008.  Early registrants can save $100 off the regular conference rate if they register by September 14.  In addition to two full days of information-packed sessions featuring leading marketing and research experts, there will be an additional half-day of Professional Development Sessions presented by the renowned researchers of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.  Visit www.tia.org/mof for more information and to register.

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LISTSERV INQUIRY REFLECTS SPLIT ON CONSUMER TRADE SHOW PARTICIPATION
Eleven states responded to a recent state tourism director listserv inquiry regarding the level of participation in consumer trade shows.  Of the 11 states reporting, four do not participate in consumer shows and two support regional organizations that do.  Five states reported participating in consumer shows, two of those only participate in one show each.  The remaining three participate in a range from three to approximately ten shows.  For a more detailed summary of the results, visit the NCSTD Resource Center.  To add your state's information to create a more comprehensive accounting of this topic, please send your information to James Brown at jbrown@tia.org.

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STATE SIGNAGE PROGRAMS RESPONSIBILITLY OF DOT
Tourism and historic marker signage was the topic of a recent inquiry on the state tourism directors listserv.  Of the 14 states responding, 12 indicated that signage was the responsibility of the state Department of Transportation (DOT).  Wyoming has a funded program ($100,000/biennium) for interpretive and way-finding signage that can be viewed by clicking here.   Wyoming also reports that most signs along the highway right-of-way are the responsibility of the DOT.  In Vermont, the Travel Information Council, a special statutory body, regulates what few signs are allowed.  For a more detailed summary of the results, visit the NCSTD Resource Center.  To add you state's information to create a more comprehensive accounting of this topic, please send your information to James Brown at jbrown@tia.org.

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TIA HOSTED AIR TRAVEL SUMMIT
On Tuesday, June 17, TIA hosted a summit of industry leaders to discuss the systemic and solvable issues in the air travel process and identify the common ground between aviation and the broader travel community. This summit was in direct response to the groundbreaking survey commissioned by TIA that found frustration with the air travel system was growing and that this frustration was highest among those who fly the most. To learn more about the survey click here, for the press release click here, and for the detailed survey results click here.

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News Inside the States

HAWAII -The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is launching a new marketing campaign that will offer travelers a $200 discount on air vacation packages through a number of wholesaler partners. The $3 million integrated marketing campaign is designed to let travelers on the West Coast know that Hawaii is still a viable vacation destination and to help fill the tail end of the summer season and start building the fall travel period. To get the word out, the HVCB is placing print ads in major daily newspapers in San Francisco and Los Angeles, two of Hawaii's major source markets; displaying search and banner ads on select websites, and launching TV and radio promotions in the two cities.

KENTUCKY-The Kentucky Department of Tourism has launched an online promotion titled "Discover Your Own Backyard" that encourages Kentuckians, who currently represent nearly 30% of the state's tourism market, to explore state attractions and events by traveling in the commonwealth this summer. The website, www.mykentuckybackyard.com, includes a prize-a-day contest with premiums donated by Kentucky tourism businesses, which is open to state residents only. The campaign is also being promoted on radio and TV and through publicity materials.

ILLINOIS - Representatives from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism and their agency partners will travel the state this month to announce 2007 visitor economic impact data and discuss 2007-08 marketing initiatives and new marketing strategies.  Also to be announced are details of IBOT's new spring/summer advertising campaign for 2008. The tour begins Monday in Chicago and concludes Thursday in Arlington Heights with intermediate stops in Carbondale, Alton, Springfield, Peoria and Rockford.  (Special to TA)

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For a comprehensive listing of upcoming state and regional tourism conferences, industry meetings, conventions, and trade shows, check out TIA's online Meetings Calendar.

© 2008 Travel Industry Association.  All rights reserved.

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StateSide is the official e-newsletter of the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD), an industry council of the Travel Industry Association (TIA).  StateSide is a benefit of your NCSTD membership within TIA, produced by its National Councils Department.

The NCSTD is comprised of the tourism directors of the 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. For more information on NCSTD programs and activities, visit http://www.tia.org/councils/ncstd/index.html. Please direct comments or suggestions to James Brown, Director of State Relations at ncstd@tia.org  or 202.408.8422.

For information on TIA programs and activities, visit www.tia.org. 

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TIA EVENTS  

ESTO 2008
August 23 - 26
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Bonita Springs, Florida

TRAVEL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
September 24-25
Washington, DC

WORLD TOURISM DAY
September 27

MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM
October 27-30 Portland, OR


INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 

EXPLORATORY MISSIONS
TRADE EVENTS
 

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