 August 2006
» San Diego North CVB Releases Fiscal Year-end Figures for FY05-06» Member Events » Sales Update » Marketing Update » Industry News & Member Spotlight » Put the San Diego North CVB to Work for You » Stories from the Watercooler » Welcome Aboard! » Staff Update » Job Opportunity Announcement » Fast Facts - Travel Industry Tidbits » Bureau Contacts San Diego North CVB Releases Fiscal Year-End Figures for FY05-06 The San Diego North CVB marked the end of its 2005-2006 fiscal year on June 30, 2006. Below are a few year-end highlights of the Bureau's achievements: Generated $40.2 million in total economic impact to the San Diego North region, based on a 2005 Inquiry Conversion Study with individual inquiries and group sales revenues. Sales - Generated $12.3 million in total visitor spending among group business.
- Facilitated 38 site tours highlighting 68 members. - Conducted two educational tours for 23 meeting planners highlighting 26 members. - Facilitated room blocks, activities and promotions for multi-hotel bookings, including United Church of God, Escondido; Accenture Match Play Championship, Carlsbad; Good Guys Rod and Custom Association, Del Mar; In-Motion Carlsbad Marathon; Elite Racing Carlsbad 5,000 and San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon. Marketing - Generated more than 236,000 visitor inquiries through walk-in, phone-in, write-in and Web site, an increase of 48 percent over last fiscal year.
- Secured editorial valued at over $2 million in broadcast, print and electronic media, a 181 percent increase over FY04-05. - Produced the four-color 2006 San Diego North Travel Planning & Conference Guide, with a circulation of 40,000. The Guide is distributed to visitor inquiries, meeting planners, tour operators, travel agents and the media. - Coordinated ten site visits with media highlighting San Diego North members. This included writers on assignment for Golf Connoisseur Magazine, Sunset Magazine, OC Metro Magazine, Coastal Living Magazine and Arizona Food & Lifestyles Magazine. Click here to download the full FY05-06 Fiscal Year-end report, or email Kathy Ward, administrator, at kward@sandiegonorth.com, to request a copy. « back to top Member Events San Diego North Fall Mixer takes place in September SAVE THIS DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 Don't miss the exciting Fall Mixer planned by the Bureau and Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort. Come and experience the fun and entertainment that Harrah's has in store for you. Great food and music are on the agenda along with plenty of games and giveaways. Where: Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort Address: 777 Harrah's Rincon Way When: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $10 members; $15 non-members To RSVP, download and complete the attached form by clicking here. Tabletop exhibits and door prize donation opportunities are still available to members. To participate, contact Debbie Mirageas, office manager, at dmirageas@sandiegonorth.com; or call 760-745-4741. Free roundtrip transportation to the event will be provided from Carlsbad and Escondido, courtesy of Harrah's. Pick-up/drop-off points are designated at two locations: The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, and Westfield Shoppingtown in Escondido. For schedule and directions to shuttle sites, click here. Attendees opting to drive to the event can click here for directions to Harrah's. Complimentary valet parking is included. For more information, please email Debbie Mirageas at: dmirageas@sandiegonorth.com; or call 760-745-4741. Bureau's Summer Mixer held in June 
The Bureau held its summer mixer at the lush Quail Botanical Gardens on June 7, 2006. Nearly 100 attendees participated in the evening's festivities.
Many thanks to Quail Botanical Gardens for hosting the event location and beverages as well as A Slice of Heaven for providing catering services. 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, office manager at dmirageas@sandiegonorth.com.
«back to top Sales Update Sales Report : June-July 2006
Sign Up for the eCommerce Summit - September 15, 2006 - Morgan Run Resort The Bureau is hosting an e-Commerce Summit on Friday, September 15, 2006. Two sessions (8-10 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.) are available by reservation, bringing together San Diego North members with top producing e-commerce companies that historically drive business to the San Diego North region. We invite first-timers and all members that currently work with any of these companies to participate. This one-day event is a one-stop-shop opportunity for members to discuss new and existing partnerships including: contracting, marketing promotions, Web site optimization, packaging, increasing room night production and more. The following e-commerce companies will be in attendance and have requested to meet a representative from your company: Travelocity.com TravelWorm/Jetaway Today Tripres.com Orbitz.com Hotels.com/Expedia.com Advanced Reservation Systems (ARES) To confirm your company's participation, please click here to download the attached form and return to Yolanda Hartley, sales manager, via e-mail to: yhartley@sandiegonorth.com by Wednesday, August 23, 2006. Appointment requests will be based on a first come first serve basis. The Bureau will confirm final appointment times and details by Friday, Sept. 1, 2006. If you have questions, please contact Yolanda at 760-603-1690. Bureau Attends Meeting Planner International Conference Approximately 125 meeting planners visited the San Diego North CVB booth at the Meeting Planners International Convention, held on July 11, 2006 in Dallas, TX. The Bureau brought back seven immediate leads from the five-hour show. Anna Wachtel, national sales manager for the Bureau, was on-site along with co-op partners from Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort, Morgan Run & Resort, Del Mar Fairgrounds and Pala Casino Spa & Resort. The show drew a total of 1,000 attendees. Bureau Attends Affordable Meetings West 
The Bureau generated 12 immediate leads from the Affordable Meetings West Show, which took place on June 13-15, 2006 in Long Beach. Anna Wachtel, national sales manager, represented the Bureau with attendance from co-op partners Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad, L'Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa, Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Holiday Inn Carlsbad by the Sea, and Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort.
The show was deemed a huge success for the group, with a total of 134 planners stopping by the double booth. Traffic was steady throughout with 700 planners in attendance.
The 06-07 Co-op Trade Show Opportunities Are Now Available 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 Yolanda Hartley, sales manager, or any member of the San Diego North CVB sales team at 760-603-1690, or email sales@sandiegonorth.com. The trade show profiles are available by clicking here. For a listing of the 06-07 co-op trade shows and sign up form, click here. «back to top Marketing Update 
Last Chance to Advertise in the 2007 Visitors GuideThe advertising deadline for the 2007 San Diego North Travel Planning & Conference Guide is fast approaching. The Guide continues to be the most valuable source of visitor information about the San Diego North region. A recent visitor survey found that 72% of visitors who requested our Guide brought it with them when they came to visit and 69% said it influenced their travel decisions. As in the past, all advertising positions will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The DEADLINE for your commitment is October 2, 2006. Please e-mail cpinfo@sandiegomag.com or contact one of your account executives today: Marchelle Crumes at 619-342-5184 or Cyndi Price at 760-519-9991. Bureau's Web Site Updates Help to Boost Performance 
The Bureau launched new design and functional elements to its Web site's home page in early July. Revamp efforts to the site, www.sandiegonorth.com, were aimed at increasing conversion rates, improving content flow, and enhancing the overall user experience. The site has already seen an increase in online bookings, guide requests and email sign-ups in July compared to the same month last year."Hotel bookings and attraction ticket sales this month are up 31% over July 05," says Barbara Bovee, the Bureau's director of marketing and operations. "What's particularly astonishing is the rate at which we continue to capture data from our users," she continues. "The numbers of Guide and email requests both have more than doubled during the same period." Among the page's new features include: - Larger image - The signature photo, which also appears on the cover of the 2006 visitors guide, brings brand consistency as well as visual impact to help engage users. - Primary logo positioning - Logo and tagline is placed at the top of the page, reinforcing brand identity. - Streamlined navigation links - Allows users to instantly scan and locate desired topics. - Enhanced booking engine - In addition to booking hotel reservations, the new engine also promotes attraction tickets and the latest travel products, including dynamic packaging and all-new car rental reservations. - Weekly "Insider Tip" - This featured content section offers an insider's perspective to the San Diego North region. The section will be updated weekly throughout the summer months. The site also introduced Google mapping technology to its features for member listings. Visitors to the Web site will be able to pinpoint the areas and regions in which member hotels, attractions and other services are located. The mapping technology adds yet another helpful and relevant tool for travel planning to the area. June Getaway Highlights The most recent issue of the Bureau's consumer eNewsletter, Getaway Highlights, was distributed in mid-June and has so far received a 34.6% read rate and 11.4% click-through rate among its readers. Getaway Highlights is distributed strictly to opt-in subscribers on a quarterly basis. It features updates on area events, the latest specials for accommodations and attraction tickets, as well as links to the San Diego North Web site and ARES online booking engine. To view a copy of the latest issue, click here. «back to top Industry News & Member Spotlight Industry News Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort captured 33 awards, including 10 first place honors, in the Casino Player Magazine's "Best of Gaming" annual readers' poll. Best Overall Hotel Casino, Best Service, Best Bar, and Best Chinese Restaurant were among the awards received. 
The Marine Room has received the Fine Dining Silver Fork Award from San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles Magazine for the sixth year in a row. The 2006 awards included 11 Sliver Fork Awards, two of which were in the fine dining category and nine awarded to "Neighborhood Finds".
Since its inception in 1987, when restaurant writer Elizabeth Brafford Cella handed out the first award, more than 332 Silver Forks have been awarded to area restaurants. In the August issue of San Diego Magazine, the Marine Room received top honors as "Best of the Best - Money No Object", "Best Dining with a View", "Most Romantic", and "Best Service". Member Spotlight 
La Costa Resort & Spa opened Kidtopia, the resort's new club for kids, and Vibz, an interactive teen lounge. The two new facilities, which encompass a combined total of 6,000 square feet, will offer a unique, exciting and educational experience for children ages 6 months to 16 years.  Kidtopia will be divided into three age-based areas with interactive attractions such as a tree house, high-tech entertainment centers, and a large saltwater aquarium. Vibz, geared to 10-16 year olds, will feature music and dance activities, an array of table and video games, and an X-Box ® gaming lounge. Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad recently launched Operation Clean Beach. The new program, designed to keep Carlsbad Beach litter-free, brings the hotel's employees and managers together twice a month to pick up trash and ensure a clean stretch of sand for locals and visitors to enjoy. «back to top Put the San Diego North CVB to Work For You Public Relations Opportunity During the next two months, the public relations department will be gathering information for inclusion in the following themed media pitches. If you have information that would fit this topic, please submit your information to Hilary Townsend, public relations manager, at htownsend@sandiegonorth.com. What's New in San Diego North - Fall/Winter Forecast Submission deadline: August 29, 2006 This media pitch will focus on new offerings in the San Diego North region. Some ideas might include: new exhibits, renovations/expansions, restaurants, attractions, and events. Holiday Traditions in San Diego North- Ten Ways to Celebrate the Season in San Diego North Submission deadline: August 31, 2006 Themed to focus on unique holiday traditions that draw visitors to the San Diego North region for the holidays, some ideas might include: unique spa treatments, tree lightings, unique holiday activities, parade of lights, holiday-themed hotel packages, and events. Promotion Opportunities for ARES Members Hot Deals - Members who are contracted through ARES can post Hot Deals promotions 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 over nearly 212,000 unique users during the 05-06 fiscal year. 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' new dynamic packaging capabilities. This new feature provides additional discounts and offers complete customization to the consumer. For information on ARES services click here, or call 1-800-828-0868. The 06-07 Co-op Trade Show Opportunities Are Now Available 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 Yolanda Hartley, sales manager, or any member of the San Diego North CVB sales team at 760-603-1690, or email sales@sandiegonorth.com. The trade show profiles are available by clicking here. For a listing of the 06-07 co-op trade shows and sign up form, click here. Keep It North and Reap the Benefits The Bureau offers assistance to area hotels and its displaced groups by providing alternative accommodations/meetings space through the Keep It North referral program. Keep It North is designed to keep business within the area and among members. To participate, members simply submit a referral to the sales team and also become eligible for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas, Utah, Phoenix, Cabo San Lucas or other rewards. For information about the program and to download submission forms, click here. «back to top Stories from the Watercooler Downtown Escondido Moving Up with Support from Local Business Association Debra Rosen, CEO of the Downtown Business Association of Escondido, was featured recently in the July 31 issue of the San Diego Business Journal. The article delves in-depth into Rosen's leadership of the organization and its integral role in driving success to Escondido businesses. Consisting of 900 members, the association is the only organization which manages the city's business improvement district. The association was established to promote business within the district by addressing programs such as marketing, special events, design, historic preservation, economic development, security and community enhancement. With a budget that has increased over 50% during the last two years, the association has contributed to the highest sales tax revenue increase for the Business Improvement District than in any other district within the city during the 2005 fiscal year. Rosen plans to continue to draw traffic to the district through various events and marketing strategies in the effort to help merchant sales. She attributes the city's support as a key element to the Association's success. «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: La Jolla Kayak 2199 Avenida de la Playa La Jolla, CA 92037 Phone: 858-459-1114 / Fax: 858-459-2520 www.lajollakayak.com Celebrating 10 years as the premiere ocean kayaking and snorkeling exploration outfit in San Diego, La Jolla Kayak offers guided kayak and snorkel tour rentals. La Jolla Spa MD 7630 Fay Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 Phone: 858-459-6868 / Fax: 858-459-4894 www.spa-md.com La Jolla Spa MD combines the science of the latest cosmetic medical procedures with the most rejuvenating spa techniques to bring out your most beautiful, radiant self. Mingei International Museum 155 West Grand Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 Phone: 760-735-3355 / Fax: 760-735-3306 www.mingei.org Mingei International Museum presents dynamic, changing exhibitions featuring timeless art of the people from all cultures - historical and contemporary folk art, craft and design. Corporate events welcome. Quantum Learning Network 1938 Avenida Del Oro Oceanside, CA 92056 Phone: 760-722-0072 / Fax: 760-722-3507 / Toll free: 800-285-3276 www.qlnconferencecenter.com www.qln.com QLN Conference Center is a 42,000 square foot facility with five meeting rooms totaling 11,000 square feet and a 11,000 square foot exhibit hall. Valley Center Chamber of Commerce 27818 Valley Center Road Valley Center, CA 92082 Phone: 760-749-8472 / Fax: 760 749-8483 www.valleycenterchamber.org Dedicated to serving local business since 1962. West Inn & Suites 4970 Avenida Encinas Carlsbad, CA 92008 Phone: 760-448-4500 / Fax: 760-448-4545 / Toll Free: 866-431-WEST www.westinnandsuites.com Carlsbad's newest boutique hotel. Offering luxurious bedding, Aveda products, full complimentary breakfast - all within a state-of-the-art facility with the finest in guest service. Homewood Suites 2223 Palomar Airport Road Carlsbad, CA 92011 www.tarsadia.com New hotel opening in Summer 2007. Hampton Inn Carlsbad 2229 Palomar Airport Road Carlsbad, CA 92011 www.tarsadia.com New hotel opening in Summer 2007. «back to top Staff Update Yolanda Hartley Promoted to Sales Manager 
The Bureau is pleased to announce the promotion of Yolanda Hartley to sales manager. In this capacity, Hartley will oversee travel industry sales along with additional markets. Hartley brings over 15 years of hospitality experience in administration, sales, event planning and management. She's thrilled with the opportunities and challenges that await her in this new role as she continues to promote the San Diego North region.
«back to top Job Opportunity Announcement Sales Assistant/Coordinator, 40 hour/week position, Carlsbad Office Job Summary: Support our high-energy group sales office with administrative support for director of sales and two sales managers, produce reports, maintain sales office operations, coordinate non-hotel needs of definite groups, qualify inquiries, actively solicit group business through direct and indirect sales efforts and communicate with members and clients. Qualifications: AA degree in business or communications or equivalent of two years experience in a sales-related environment. Strong administrative, organizational and analytical skills along with competitive knowledge within the hospitality field a plus. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and database management. Must have exceptional oral and written communications skills along with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines. Will train the right individual with an “I CAN DO” attitude! Send resumes/questions to Stephanie Colby-Aburto at scolby-aburto@sandiegonorth.com or fax to 760-603-9570. Telephone is 760-603-1690. «back to top Fast Facts - Travel Industry Tidbits Fall travel has Greater Appeal to U.S. Vacationers An increasing number of Americans are planning their vacations beyond the traditional summer season, according to a report by USA Today. Travel agents across the U.S. are seeing Americans taking advantage of travel during the fall season, primarily for better bargains and lesser crowds. - Advanced airline bookings for the September-November period are up an average of 5% compared to last year, according to consultant Sabre Airline Solutions. - The AAA travel agency, with 1,000 offices, experienced a 23% increase over last year of airline bookings for September - November travel period. Tour bookings are up 14%. - Factors that are driving fall travel are lower rates, shorter getaways, and increased events. For more information on this article click here. Family is redefined in new travel trend One of the year's most significant travel trends is family travel, according to 79% of American Express travel agents. - An American Express poll of 279 of their agents revealed that top motivators for family travel include the desire to expose children to different culture, lifestyle and customs, to experience new things together and create memories. - 81% of agents are booking family vacations that are multigenerational and include grandparents - Agents also observe the following trends: - Grandparents traveling with grandchildren, minus Mom and Dad (69%) - Adult children vacationing with their parents (69%) - Families traveling with family friends as one big group (67%) - Extended family members such as aunts, uncles and cousins traveling together (28%) For more information on this article, click here. City-focused travel podcasts launched by Orbitz Orbitz has launched Insider Podcasts on iTunes and Orbitz.com. These podcast travel guides give customers insight on the best things to do, see or experience in a choice of America's popular destinations. - Podcasts will offer timely tips for things to do that are neighborhood specific and help travelers learn about upcoming events and activities in nearby areas. Updated podcasts are available on the Orbitz TLC page. - Example: Santa Monica - podcast offers information on its British ex-patriot heritage or the best place for a pint of English beer. - Participating test cities include New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Rollout to additional U.S. and European cities will likely follow suit. 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 Click Here to be removed from this list. |