The Official Pensacola Bay Area Tourism Partner E-Newsletter

Tourism Partner Changes
Patti Mohan has accepted a job with the Courtyard Inn by Marriott on Creighton Road and the Fairfield Inn on Davis Highway, where she will be the director of sales. Patti has done a tremendous job for the CVB in the past two years, and she’ll be missed greatly. The CVB is currently taking applications for a new meetings and conventions sales manager. Please contact Ed Schroeder at eschroeder@VisitPensacola.com.

Holiday Hours Needed
Is your restaurant or attraction open for business on Christmas Day? Are you doing anything special for the holiday? If so, we’d love to help promote your business. Send your hours and any special offerings to Larry Orvis at lorvis@VisitPensacola.com

March and April Packages Needed
We are collecting special rates, promotions and packages for Spring Break and the Pensacola Wine Festival weekend, April 3-5. If you would like to be included in news releases and on a promotional page on the Web site, please contact Laura Lee at llee@VisitPensacola.com by Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Christmas Drive
The CVB staff is collecting non-perishable food items for Manna Food Bank. In lieu of holiday treats, we encourage you to donate items. Thanks for helping us spread Christmas cheer.

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Group Sales
(contact Lori Coppels)

Lori recently attended the 2008 National Tour Association Annual Convention in Pittsburgh. Recognized as one of the premier travel events in the industry, the five-day convention attracted more than 2,000 travel professionals, including tour companies, tour suppliers (such as hotels, restaurants and attractions), and destination marketing organizations. The Tour & Travel Exchange, a forum for buying and selling travel services, was a highlight of the convention. The exchange gave Lori the opportunity to meet and strengthen relationships with tour operators and promote the Pensacola area. In addition, National Tour Association and the World Religious Travel Association announced a cooperative agreement to promote faith-based travel, an $18 billion market. Tourism partners will receive leads from the tradeshow this week. If you have any questions about the convention, please e-mail Lori Coppels at lcoppels@VisitPensacola.com.

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Hot off the Press
(contact Laura Lee)

The CVB and the Arts Council recently hosted travel professionals from AirTran’s Go! magazine, Tallahassee Magazine and Vie magazine as well as Tourisme Plus, BelAge and Camping/Caravaning magazines out of Canada. The writers were impressed with the Pensacola Bay Area, especially our arts and cultural scene which was the focus of the trip.

In its December issue, Family Circle magazine featured the Pensacola Bay Area as a hotspot for family-friendly travel. Congratulations to our partners National Naval Aviation Museum, Portofino Island Resort & Spa, the Days Inn Pensacola Beach and Blackwater Canoe Rentals for being included in the article.

Promote Pensacola’s 450th anniversary
We need your help promoting Pensacola’s momentous year. Please download the Celebrate Pensacola logo for use on your Web site and in your marketing materials. We also have a 450th anniversary banner if you would like to display one at your property. Please contact Laura Lee at llee@VisitPensacola.com.

right click and save our logo

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HRT Notice
(contact Barbara Williams)

The Hospitality Roundtable’s annual Christmas luncheon and “Dirty Santa” gift exchange will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach. (Gifts should not exceed $15.) The cost of the luncheon is $12 for HRT members, $20 for non-members. Payment should be made at the door with checks made payable to Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. No invoicing will be permitted. Since we must guarantee reservations, if you RSVP and do not attend, you will be billed for the cost of your lunch. Please RSVP by e-mailing Barbara Williams at bwilliams@VisitPensacola.com or by calling 434-1234 by 3 p.m. on Dec. 12.

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