Austin CVB Hosts Sales Mission in Washington, DC
In order to connect with meeting planners and association executives based in the area, Austin CVB recently conducted a comprehensive sales mission and dynamic client event in Washington, DC. The sales mission engaged well-established and up-and-coming planners to encourage them to invest in Austin as a premier meetings destination. In addition to conducting meetings with nearly 50 new prospective clients, the mission also focused on generating new city-wide business from the African American meetings market.
During the sales mission, the Austin CVB unveiled a new mobile application that serves as an interactive site itinerary and destination management tool for meeting planners, event attendees and clients considering Austin as a meeting or event destination. Aptly named the "Austin iTinerary," the application invites users to download their site visit or group schedule, track appointments, get in touch with venue contacts, view maps, and add comments to each item for future reference. The Austin iTinerary will also be used to facilitate events, press trips and partner communications.
Register for Austin Sports Commission Golf Classic
The Austin Sports Commission hosts the 3rd Annual Golf Classic on Nov. 23, to raise awareness of and funds for its efforts in bringing athletic and sports events to Austin. Register by November 16 at austintexas.org/golfregform09.pdf or 512-583-7258.
Teams are invited to participate and enjoy scenic golf, live music by Bruce James, and great food while helping to promote the region as a prime sports destination.
To register, call 512-583-7258. Registration is $200 per person. The event takes place at the University of Texas Golf Club, 2200 University Club Drive, with sign-in at 10:30 a.m., lunch at 11 and a shotgun start at noon. A reception follows with catering and live music.
Austin Sports Commission works with events that generate more than $50 million in visitor spending every year. Austin Sports Commission is also working with the Longhorn Ironman 70.3 Austin triathlon and Capital Area Tennis Associations USTA Texas Section Adult Masters Championships, among others.
Tourism Department Welcomes
International Tour Operators
The Austin CVB Tourism Department is helping Austin go global. The department recently worked with the Bureau's contracted international marketing firm, Global Hospitality Marketing Link (GHML) to host a group of tour operators from the UK for a familiarization tour of Austin and San Antonio. The group, which included representatives from Continental Airlines and key tour companies in London, visited area hotspots and experienced the culture of the American southwest.
Representatives from TUI Travel, the leading UK tour operator, also recently visited Austin as the result of the Tourism Department's outreach to TUI management, who had originally planned to visit only one American destination: New York. The TUI familiarization tour focused on western and family activities.
Finally, the Tourism Department showcased Austin to the State of Texas' newly contracted European Firm, which will be selling group tours to Austin in Germany, France and the UK. Austin also recently hosted its first Receptive Operator familiarization tour for the international companies Allied TPro, FTI, New World Travel and Hotel Beds.
Austin Cocktail Throwdown Names New "Official Cocktail" for the City
Austin CVB's Communications Department recently hosted the 6th Annual Austin Cocktail Throwdown. La Condesa took the crown this year with their "Enlightened Austin Martini," a blend of Tito's Handmade Vodka, Elderflower liqueur and watermelon puree. The competition was fierce from other finalists including Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, Fino, Stephen F's Bar & Patio and Paggi House.
The Austin CVB will use La Condesa's signature recipe, which incorporates local ingredients and celebrates the flavors of the city, in promoting Austin nationwide as a premier meeting and leisure travel destination.
Promotional Opportunities Available for Local Hospitality Partners
Each year, the Austin CVB offers the opportunity for area restaurants, clubs, attractions and hotels to partner with the Bureau to gain exposure to leading national media representatives, as well as members of the national and international film, music and tourism communities. The Bureau recently released its annual list of upcoming partnership opportunities, including press trips, local music promotion events, film industry happenings, national media missions and more.
For more information, or to sign up to receive details on future promotional programs, contact Mallory Bellacosa.
Austin CVB Opens Atlanta Satellite Office
Based on the success of other satellite offices in Chicago and Washington DC, the Austin CVB recently opened an Atlanta satellite office staffed by Atlanta native Theda "TJ" Jackson. The new office reaches out to the traditionally underserved southeast market to form partnerships with industry executives and associations such as PCMA's southeast chapter, the Georgia Society of Association Executives, and Georgia MPI, among others.
"In the modern meetings world – one where money is tight and people sometimes communicate strictly via email – it's more important than ever to build face-to-face relationships," says Jackson. "Austin is a destination that still offers a personal touch, that isn't too fast-paced or always in search of the next best thing. Clients get our full attention when they’re in Austin; we want them to know they have it during the sales process, too."
In addition, it makes sense for Austin CVB to have a presence in the southeast because it is a regional neighbor. With nonstop flights from Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, Memphis and Nashville, central Texas is just a couple of hours away.
USA Volleyball to Host 2010 Junior Olympic Tournament in Austin
USA Volleyball has selected Austin to host its signature annual boys' youth national championship event, the USA Junior Olympic Boys' Volleyball Championships, at the Austin Convention Center from June 30-July 7, 2010.
The 2010 event will bring around 400 of the best junior boys' teams to Austin from across the country, a grand total of more than 10,000 attendees and around $11 million in visitor spending. The Austin Sports Commission has been working to secure this event for Austin for more than twelve months. Event producers cite the city’s compact downtown, diverse entertainment options and active community as reasons they selected Austin for the championships.
In the News at Austin-Bergstrom
International Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is the first airport in the Western Hemisphere to be certified with the Airports Council International's (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Assured industry benchmark of service quality. ABIA is the third airport in the world to achieve ASQ Assured status, joining Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.
In airline news, JetBlue Airways recently announced a partnership to become the official airline of University of Texas Athletics in the airline category. The comprehensive sponsorship will provide air transportation to Austin for all 20 men's and women's UT sports programs, as well as significant exposure for JetBlue at all UT Athletics events.
Alaska Airlines also recently kicked off non-stop service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to San Jose, CA and Seattle. For more information, visit www.abia.org.
