Agenda | Video Recap | Community Engagement Report | Meeting Recaps

The Dare County Tourism Board Special Committee for the Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan (LRTMP) met on April 9 at the Visitors Bureau administrative offices in Manteo. After a few Bureau updates, Coastal Studies Institute Executive Director Dr. Reide Corbett and National Park Service Eastern NC Superintendent Dave Hallac led the group through a discussion on our changing Outer Banks coastline, the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion in our region. Both Dr. Corbett and Superintendent Hallac serve on the LRTMP Special Committee and we are fortunate to be able to pull from their expertise as we navigate the plan. Their data-driven insights and practical knowledge will continue to inform the group, and our community, of the issues impacting our fragile barrier islands as we look to the future. Sharing this type of information, with the goal of educating and informing our community, is one of the ways the LRTMP committee can make an impact.

Additional Resources:

2024 North Carolina Sea Level Rise Science Update

2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report

2020 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan

OBVB Launches "The Voluntourism Experience" Video Series

As the Visitors Bureau continues its work to connect visitors with the amazing nonprofit organizations in our community, you're invited to explore the first of several Voluntourism videos that offer a look into how visitors can turn a great vacation into a life-changing experience. In this first episode of "The Voluntourism Experience," host Caleb Owolabi explores how planting marsh grass along the shoreline at Jockey’s Ridge State Park makes for a perfect way to volunteer and help protect this local gem.

11th Annual OBX Tourism Summit Set for November 6 in Hatteras Village

Mark your calendars for the 11th Annual OBX Tourism Summit, which will take place on Thursday, November 6 from 8:30am to 3:00pm at the Hatteras Marlin Club in Hatteras Village. Planning is underway as we develop an engaging theme and line up dynamic speakers for what promises to be an insightful and inspiring event for tourism professionals and community partners. Stay tuned for more details soon.

Nonprofit Mission Mixer Inspires Connectivity and Storytelling Through Podcasts

On April 3, more than 75 local nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers attended the 3rd Annual Nonprofit Mission Mixer at the Outer Banks Brewing Station, co-hosted by the Outer Banks Community Foundation and the Visitors Bureau. In addition to the social networking that took place, the event featured remarks from local community podcasters, who shared their journeys into podcasting and how they’re creating meaningful impact.

OBVB and CSI Collaborate to Bring Environmental Surf Film Screening to the Outer Banks

On April 17, the Visitors Bureau and Coastal Studies Institute collaborated to host a film screening of "The Cigarette Surfboard" at The Pioneer Theater in Manteo. The award-winning environmental documentary explores the creation of a functional surfboard made from thousands of cigarette butts collected from California beaches. The film (and board) becomes a platform for communities to learn from professional surfers who are working to enhance stewardship and protect the ocean and our beaches, all key components of the LRTMP. Over 200 community members attended the screening, which also included the opportunity to meet filmmaker Ben Judkins and shaper Taylor Lane, and the chance to check out two of the surfboards.

Outer Banks Promise Spotlight: Midgett Realty

Midgett Realty staff collectively made The Outer Banks Promise at their annual holiday gathering in December 2024, but have taken their support a few steps beyond, which we are grateful for. The Hatteras Island vacation rental and property management company recently created specialty t-shirts for their frontline staff to wear this year, highlighting their specific Promise, which aligns with the company’s values and mission. In addition, they have included The Promise in some of their online ads. If your business or group is interested in highlighting your commitment to enhancing stewardship efforts on the Outer Banks, please email us at community@outerbanks.org.

Events in Support of Outer Banks Non-Profits and Municipalities

KidsFest

May 9, 2025

Children & Youth Partnership

Artrageous Kids Art Festival

May 10, 2025

Dare Arts

OBX National Soft-Shell Week

May 12-17, 2025

Local OBX Restaurants

Hatteras Village Offshore Open

May 13-17, 2025

Hatteras Village Civic Assoc.

In the Spirit of Wingina II

May 30-31, 2025

Secotan Alliance

Art from the Edge

Now through June 8, 2025

Friends of Jockey's Ridge

CYP and Resources for Resilience to Offer Free Training

Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County is partnering with Resources for Resilience to offer a FREE Recharging Resilience training on Wednesday, May 21 from 9am-4pm at College of the Albemarle in Manteo.

In the fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of your own well-being. This is a rejuvenating workshop focused on self-care with compassionate facilitators who will support you in trying out easy-to-use resiliency tools. Expect to leave with fresh ideas and renewed energy to continue leading vibrant lives.

Lunch will be provided and registration is required by May 16. The training is made possible as a part of the Building a Resilient Community Project funded through the Outer Banks Health Community Benefit Grant.

Vote for the Outer Banks in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

The Outer Banks is well represented in several USA 10Best Readers' Choice Awards categories. Show your support and vote daily!

Best Summer Travel Destination

Outer Banks

Best NC Beach

Buxton - Old Lighthouse Beach

Duck

Kill Devil Hills

Kitty Hawk

Nags Head

N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island Named Best Aquarium in 2025 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards Contest

Congratulations to the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island on being named a winner in the 2025 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards contest for Best Aquarium. Nominees from across the United States were selected by an editorial panel of travel experts and Newsweek contributors.

The national publication praised the Aquarium’s flagship Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center, also known as the S.T.A.R. Center and also highlights the Aquarium’s Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit and its 285,000-gallon ocean habitat that serves as a home to sand tiger sharks, tarpon, sheepshead, Atlantic spadefish and more.

Thank you for your interest in staying connected to our work on the Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan (LRTMP) and our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible travel and the vibrant local community it serves. We look forward to sharing these updates on a regular basis and welcome any thoughts you have as we continue to move forward.

Best Regards,



Jeff Schwartzenberg

Community Engagement Manager

Outer Banks Visitors Bureau

schwartzenberg@outerbanks.org

252-473-7155