 June 2007
» Bureau Spring Mixer Well Attended» Sales Update » Marketing Update » PR Update » SDG&EŽ Incentive Program for Hotels/Motels » Industry News & Member Spotlight » Put the San Diego North CVB to Work for You » Welcome Aboard! » Stories from the Watercooler » Fast Facts - Travel Industry Tidbits » Bureau Contacts Bureau Spring Mixer Well Attended 
The Bureau held its Spring mixer at the Brigantine Del Mar on May 10th. Nearly 120 attendees enjoyed the newly remodeled garden patio area overlooking the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Our sincere thanks to the Brigantine Del Mar for hosting the event with their famous fish tacos, hors d'oeuvres, and drinks. The Bureau also expresses its appreciation to all tabletop exhibitors, door prize sponsors and event attendees. To find out more about future mixer opportunities, please contact Debbie Mirageas at dmirageas@sandiegonorth.com or call 760-745-4741.«back to top Sales Update Sales Report : April 2007-May 2007
Bureau Participates in Affordable Meetings Mid-America Trade ShowStephanie Colby-Aburto, director of sales for the Bureau, attended the Affordable Meetings Mid-America Trade Show on April 11, 12 in Chicago, IL. The Bureau along with co-op partners San Diego Hilton Del Mar, Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Homewood Suites Del Mar, and Pala Resort & Casino generated 96 leads for the region. Over 1,000 meeting planners were in attendance for the show. 
Bureau Hosts 2007 Spring Showcase/FAM TripEleven meeting planners from around the country and San Diego attended the Bureau's 2007 Spring Showcase/FAM trip in mid-May. The event highlighted several of the most luxurious resorts and renowned attractions in La Jolla, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Escondido, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Santa Fe. FY07-08 Co-op Trade Show Opportunities Co-op trade shows with the SD North CVB are a great opportunity for you to create additional exposure for your business in a cost-effective, productive, and highly visible manner! For more information, contact Donna Alfsen, sales coordinator, or any member of the San Diego North CVB sales team at 760-603-1690, or email sales@sandiegonorth.com. View the trade show profiles. Get a copy of the FY07-08 co-op trade shows and sign up form. «back to top Marketing Update 
Get Ready for the 2008 San Diego North Travel Planning & Conference Guide The San Diego North Travel Planning and Conference Guide is the primary marketing tool of the San Diego North CVB. It is distributed to meeting planners, travel planners, travel agents, the press, and leisure inquiries. Over 40,000 guides were published for 2007 distribution. Ensure your free membership listing in the 2008 Guide To ensure your free listing in the 2008 Travel Planning and Conference Guide, please make sure your accounting department has processed your FY07-08 membership investment. These invoices were mailed out in April. For questions about your membership investment, contact Debbie Mirageas at dmirageas@sandiegonorth.com or call 760-745-4741. Update your FREE member listing By now you should have received a proof for your editorial listings. If you have not already done so, please make sure to note any changes to your information and return them to the Bureau as soon as possible. Please note: you need to sign and send back the listing even if there are no changes needed. For questions, contact Krista Wampler at kwampler@sandiegonorth.com or call 760-745-4741. 
For extra exposure, submit photos & insider tips Extend your exposure in the guide by submitting high-resolution images and/or insider tips. Insider tips are special places or things to do that create a more memorable stay for visitors. Please send them to Krista Wampler at kwampler@sandiegonorth.com or call 760-745-4741 for consideration. Take advantage of advertising for the 2008 Guide now To receive more information and rates, contact Jennifer Rohr, San Diego Magazine, at 619-744-0524 or jrohr@sandiegomag.com. «back to top PR Update PR Highlights 
 Sunset (circulation: 1,481,115) - a three-page story highlighting restaurants, chefs and local produce growers in San Diego North appeared in the May issue. Coastal Living (circulation: 639,941) - a four-page destination piece on Del Mar appeared in the May issue. PR Opportunities The Public Relations Department is currently gathering information for inclusion in upcoming media pitches. If you have a story idea that you would like us to consider, please contact htownsend@sandiegonorth.com or call 760-745-4741. We will be targeting both short and long lead media with specific information on upcoming exhibits, renovation/expansions, restaurants, attractions, events, and themed San Diego North story ideas. Public Relations Tip: Add htownsend@sandiegonorth.com to your distribution list on all newsworthy topics to ensure the Bureau has the most up to date information to optimize media exposure opportunities. «back to top SDG&EŽ Incentive Program for Hotels/Motels According to the California Hotel and Lodging Association, electricity use accounts for 60-70% of the utility costs of a typical hotel. That's why the Premium Efficiency Cooling Program wants to help hotels and motels in the SDG&EŽ service area increase energy efficiency and reduce costs by offering cash incentives for retiring inefficient Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHPs) and replacing them with premium efficiency units. Premium efficiency PTACs or PTHPs will help prevent breakdowns, enhance the comfort of guests, lower energy use, and most of all, save money over the life of the equipment. Program incentives ranging from $50 to $75 per ton are available for new construction, replacement on burnout, and early retirement units in buildings built before 2002 or after 2006. To learn more about the Program and to find out if you may be eligible for Program incentives, call 888-369-1608 or contact your contractor. If you have already installed qualifying units dating back to September 1, 2006, you may still claim incentives. Funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so contact the program today! The Premium Efficiency Cooling Program is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission through a contract awarded to Conservation Services Group. «back to top Industry News & Member Spotlight Industry News The El Bizcocho Chef, Gavin Kaysen, has been selected as one of ten up-and-coming talents who have earned the coveted title of Food & Wine Best New Chefs. Gavin, 27, began working at El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in 2002 and within two years was named Chef de Cuisine. Kaysen's menu is French-inspired. Due to the event's popularity, Restaurant Week will be held twice next year. The 2008 dates are January 27 through February 1 and June 22-27, according to the San Diego chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Since its inception in 2005, the number of restaurants participating in the event has grown from 71 to 130 in 2007. Member Spotlight 
LEGOLANDŽ California recently opened Captain Cranky's Challenge, the newest addition to Pirate Shores, where guests test their sea worthiness as they sway back and forth on a pirate ship that sits on a "U-shaped" track and rotates in two directions. The new ride is the fifth attraction to be added to Pirate Shores and joins the signature attraction Splash Battle, water-play areas Soak-N-Sail and Swabbies Deck, and a mini-flume log ride, Treasure Falls. 
Over Memorial Day weekend, LEGOLANDŽ California set a new world record by building the tallest pirate ship mast ever made out of LEGOŽ bricks. The mast was measured at 94.3 feet, breaking the previous record set in Denmark in 2006 by almost one foot. The tower, which is built out of more than 465,000 LEGO bricks, soars over the park's main entrance.San Diego Marriott Del Mar opens a new poolside lounge this month at Arterra Restaurant and Bar. Enhancements to the existing pool area will include the addition of three fire pits and a collection of private cabanas each complete with individual plasma screens, sound systems, and wireless Internet. 
The Little Hotel by the Sea & Garden Terraces at the Grande Colonial Hotel will celebrate its grand opening this summer with 18 new guest suites. Throughout their 80-year history, both hotels have gone through several changes, owners and names but have remained community landmarks. Once restored to their original glory, they will become an extension of the historic, 75-room Grande Colonial Hotel. Nicknamed the "bikini pit", Harrah's has launched Cabana 21, Southern California's only outdoor gaming area. Set in the sand next to the pool, the new gaming area is staffed with bikini-clad blackjack dealers and conveniently located next to the Cabana Cove Bar and Grill. 
Epazote Oceanview Steakhouse & Z Ocean Bar has completed its one-million dollar renovation turning the popular venue into a contemporary, upscale steakhouse. Featuring Executive Chef Anthony DeLuca, formerly Chef de Cuisine at Island Prime in San Diego, the new contemporary design blends the open-air setting with a seasonal fresh menu.
Rancho Bernardo Inn has completed its $25 million enhancement and expansion project which includes the new Aragon Ballroom, capable of accommodating up to 1,000 people, guest room renovations, and a new 2,500 square-foot Aragon Pool situated next to the newly remodeled Spa at Rancho Bernardo.
«back to top Put the San Diego North CVB to Work For You Promotion Opportunities for ARES Members Hot Deals - Members who are contracted through ARES can post Hot Deals promotions which will be promoted in the next issue of the Bureau's opt-in consumer newsletter, Getaway Highlights. In addition, the Hot Deals listing will link from the San Diego North CVB Web site, which generated traffic of nearly 220,000 unique users during 2006. Dynamic Packaging - The Bureau's Web site can now feature any combination of attraction tickets with any contracted hotels and distribute it as a packaged product through ARES' dynamic packaging capabilities. This feature provides additional discounts and offers complete customization to the consumer. For information on ARES services, go to the ARES web site or call 1-800-828-0868. FY07-08 Co-op Trade Show Opportunities Co-op trade shows with the SD North CVB are a great opportunity for you to create additional exposure for your business in a cost-effective, productive, and highly visible manner! For more information, contact Donna Alfsen, sales coordinator, or any member of the San Diego North CVB sales team at 760-603-1690, or email sales@sandiegonorth.com. View the trade show profiles. Get a copy of the FY07-08 co-op trade shows and sign up form. «back to top Welcome Aboard! We are proud to announce the following organizations which have joined as new members of the San Diego North CVB: Santa Margarita Inn 1634 Riverview Dr. Fallbrook, CA 92028 Phone: 760-731-9222 Fax: 760-731-4922 www.santamargaritainn.com The Inn offers a trail system with over 12 miles of riding and hiking along the river. The Inn offers facilities for weddings and special events up to 100 people. «back to top Stories from the Watercooler The San Diego Hospitality Industry is working with the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and the Armed Forces YMCA to provide housing for families of combat wounded service members. If you'd like to get involved, please contact Namara Mercer at the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association at 619-224-2811. «back to top Fast Facts - Travel Industry Tidbits Summer Travel Tips Before you fly, review the Summer Travel Checklist provided by the Transportation Security Administration with important information for air travelers. Survey: Boomers Have Money, Aren't Afraid To Spend It Far from being cowed by the growth in technology, the aging baby boom generation has embraced the Internet and everything related to it, and enjoys spending time online and surfing interesting Web sites says an article in BrandWeek. That's the crux of a new study by BoomerEyes, a leading boomer research and demographic intelligence company that studies baby boomers and their influence on American society and the economy. In a report out this week, BoomerEyes highlights some of the points of its survey of 1,110 respondents. Among the findings: -Nearly 40% of those with kids said they're now "Empty Nesters"; -In addition to having the time to do what they want and when, the Empty Nesters also report financial freedom. On average, they said they have $315 more per month to spend; -It's not all easy living. Financial concerns top the list of worries of 47% of those asked, and another 20% worry about family and health/diet; -Some 71% of 50-64 year olds and 84% of 30-49 year olds report high Internet usage. Even among those 65 and over, regular Net usage is reported by 32%; -Boomers who took the online survey say they most often shop online for travel (58%), books (57%), clothes (57%) and electronics (50%); -Respondents have adopted healthy eating habits including reading nutrition labels (50%), eating smaller meals (43%), changing their diet to maintain their weight and stay healthy (41%), eating low-fat foods (37%), and monitoring their carb intake (29%). For more information on this article click here. «back to top Bureau Contacts Cami Mattson, president and CEO Barbara Bovee, director of marketing and operations Stephanie Colby-Aburto, director of sales Debbie Mirageas, office manager Hilary Townsend, public relations manager «back to top If you feel you've received this message in error, or if you no longer wish to receive news and special offers please contact Krista Wampler at kwampler@sandiegonorth.com to be removed from this list. |