|
Noteworthy
New Faces at Austin CVB―Jennifer Walker recently joined Austin CVB as Director of Marketing Communications. In this position, Walker oversees Austin CVB's public relations, communications and marketing strategies, as well as acting as point person for agencies of record. A native of Ventura, California, Walker has more than 12 years of marketing and advertising experience. She most recently served as an account supervisor at Kolar Advertising, where she managed multiple accounts, including Austin CVB.
The Bureau has also hired Tori Ronstadt as sales coordinator. A recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Ronstadt provides support to the Austin Sports Commission and account directors. PCMA Selects Austin for 2009 Leadership Conference―The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has selected Austin to host its 2009 Leadership Conference. The announcement places an important mark of distinction on Austin, as PCMA is one of the premier associations in the meeting and conventions industry. Attendees are meeting planners, industry professionals and association and corporation executives whose arrival gives Austin a prime opportunity to shine as a premier leisure and business destination for nationally-based organizations. Some 450 attendees will convene for panels, discussions and sessions focusing on industry leadership development.
GPS Ranger Offers New, High-Tech Austin Tour ―Austin CVB has teamed up with locally-based BarZ Adventures (BarZ) to offer visitors a new way to discover the city. The GPS Ranger™, BarZ's first destination tour product, introduces visitors to Austin's historical and cultural attractions with a walking tour piloted by Global Position System (GPS) technology. The audio and video tour, narrated by KXAN News Anchor Michelle Valles, guides visitors to more than two dozen points of interest, providing a comprehensive overview to Texas' Capital City and the Live Music Capital of the World®
An American Sign Language version of the tour is available for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, increasing Austin's accessibility to all who want to learn about the history and personality of the city. Tours ($11.95) are available at the Austin Visitor Center at 209 E. Sixth Street. For more information, call 512-478-0098 or visit www.austintexas.org.
Austin CVB Entertains Film/Music VIPs During SXSW―Hundreds of film industry professionals gathered at the Iron Cactus on March 8 for the Film Texas Reception to kick off the SXSW Film Festival and Conference. The event, sponsored in part by the Austin Film Commission, Austin CVB and Texas Film Commission, showcased Texas locations and provided information on working on-location in the Lone Star State.
In addition, the Bureau co-sponsored "Music with the Mayor," a happy hour to welcome national music media to Austin. Nearly 200 attendees, representing more than 30 regional, national, international and online outlets, congregated to mingle with Mayor Will Wynn, city officials and local industry VIPs. Guests rocked out to up-and-coming Austin indie rockers The Black and White Years and discovered Austin's year-round musical appeal.
Lake Austin Spa Resort Named #1 in Conde Nast Traveler Readers Poll―Cited for its superior treatments, facilities and cuisine, Lake Austin Spa Resort has been named the #1 destination spa in North America by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine in the April 2008 issue. Rising up from their ranking as #2 in last year's annual Readers' Choice Awards, the property makes its mark in the #1 position for the first time. The resort scored high marks for both treatments and programs/facilities (score of 92.9), as well as staff service (92.6). In addition, the property was recognized for its superiority in cuisine and setting.
Heritage Marketing Celebrates Preservation Month at Pioneer Farms―In honor of National Heritage Preservation Month (May), Austin CVB is dedicating a new historical marker for Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms. The Bureau's Heritage Marketing department, which drafted the text, presents the new marker in conjunction with a special education session for area elementary students. Members of the public are welcome to attend the dedication, which takes place on May 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive.
| 
