The Official Pensacola Bay Area Tourism Partner E-Newsletter

The 2009-2010 Visitor Guide is out! We would like to thank all of our advertisers for making the publication of the guide possible. Some 150,000 guides will be distributed at I-10 welcome centers, AAA offices along the I-65 corridor, at various tradeshows, military bases, Pensacola Regional Airport, Pensacola Visitor Information Center and by request to thousands of visitors interested in our area.

Congratulations to Jackson’s Steakhouse for achieving the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Award.

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Group Sales
(contact Lori Coppels)

This week, Lori Coppels is attending Marketplace by the American Bus Association in Charlotte, NC. This is an important networking meeting for Lori to bring in group tours to the area. ABA represents approximately 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter and tour buses, among others.

Important Facts about Bus Tours:

• One motor coach spending one night generates $8,000.
• Those coming for a day trip can generate $3,000.
• In 2007, motorcoach groups assisted by the Pensacola CVB generated $1.5 million in revenue.
• 85% of motorcoach travel to Pensacola is in the off peak season.

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Hot off the Press
(contact Laura Lee)

The CVB has been busy promoting the Pensacola Bay Area to the national media. Articles are expected in upcoming issues of Philadelphia Inquirer, Good Housekeeping, Smithsonian, Southern Living and Florida Monthly. In addition, Delta Sky is working on a large editorial piece for its March issue. Partners may advertise in the special issue by calling Heather Buchman at (336) 255-0195 or Laura Lee at (850) 434-1234.

Last Call for March and April Packages
We are collecting special rates, promotions and packages for Spring Break and the Pensacola Wine Festival weekend, April 2-5. If you would like to be included in news releases and on a promotional page on the Web site, please contact Laura by Jan. 16.

Fam Tour
Dan Donovan with Ottawa Life Magazine in Canada will be visiting the area the first week of May. If you would like to host Dan at your property, please let Laura know by Jan. 16. He will include a description of your property in his article, which will be published in September.

Visit Florida Promotion
Thank you to Paradise Beach Homes for sponsoring Visit Florida’s radio promotion in Boston. Approximately 60 spots worth $84,000 ran in the Boston market, promoting the Pensacola Bay Area and Paradise Beach Homes, who will host the winner during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.

Visit Florida is also sponsoring a promotion in various markets in the Southeast and Midwest. If you would like to donate a three-night’s stay at your property, please contact Laura for details.

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HRT Notice
(contact Barbara Williams)

The Hospitality Roundtable will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Atlas Oyster House. Guest speaker Kristin Fairchild from Chain Reaction will discuss opportunities for teens in hospitality. 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 or by calling 434-1234 by 3 p.m. on Jan. 16.

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