Tourism Industry News & Resources | |
This partner communication exists to provide updates on Sonoma County Tourism’s programs and offerings, along with additional news and resources to support Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry. | |
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Great thanks to all who attended the SCT Annual Meeting. The energy in the general session and throughout the afternoon was amazing! We hope the information provided will help you build your business in innovative and meaningful ways. Those who enjoyed, or missed, Matt Britton’s thought-provoking session on Millennials, Gen Z and AI, the presentation is available on the Annual Meeting page of SonomaCounty.com.
And, we’re looking forward to the first (annual?!) Black Cod Week, coming up Oct. 18. The support by the restaurant community has been tremendous and now we’d like to be sure everyone in Sonoma County makes this week a resounding success! Anyone who posts either a business’ participation or a dining experience at a restaurant or at home, and uses #BlackCodWeek in the post will be entered to win a Sonoma County SWAG bag! Let’s all get “Cod” up in Black Cod Week! See the snippet below for more information.
Finally, we heard yesterday that the Lodge at Bodega Bay won the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for Best Hotel in the WORLD. Congratulations!! This shines a huge light on Sonoma County and we couldn’t be prouder of this stunning property.
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Meeting Recap: UPRoot. UPGrade. UPLift. | |
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Sonoma County Tourism Annual Meeting Highlights Strategic Focus and Future Plans
At the recent Sonoma County Tourism Annual Meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, agency leadership outlined plans to boost visitation after a challenging two years. Addressing 225 tourism stakeholders, President and CEO Claudia Vecchio emphasized the need to understand shifting traveler behavior. A study conducted by Future Partners identified two main challenges: low awareness of Sonoma County as a destination and the impact of San Francisco’s high travel costs and reputation.
SCT is adapting its strategies with a keen focus on millennial and Gen Z travelers, whose preferences and digital behaviors are reshaping the tourism landscape. This shift is reflected in the allocation of their $9.8 million budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with significant investment in marketing and digital engagement. The meeting also highlighted the growing importance of AI in the tourism industry, with keynote speaker Matt Britton emphasizing the need for a digital-first approach and the significance of data-driven strategies in responding to consumer behaviors across all age groups. You can view his presentation here. Breakout session presentations will be available later this week.
Sonoma County Tourism’s commitment to innovation and understanding evolving travel trends underscores its dedication to enhancing the region’s appeal and attracting a broader audience in the coming years. We extend our deepest appreciation to all our partners for attending the Sonoma County Tourism Annual Meeting. Your presence and engagement are vital to our shared success, and we are grateful for your ongoing collaboration.
A special thank you goes out to our sponsors, Fahlgren Mortine, Alaska Airlines, and Wine Road, whose generous support made this event possible. Your commitment to Sonoma County Tourism enables us to continue driving innovation and growth in our beloved region.
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Partner Survey Closing Soon | |
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Help Us Help You! Take Our Partner Survey!
Sonoma County Tourism is committed to driving revenue to your business, and we need your feedback to help shape the future of our programs! Take just 10-12 minutes to share your thoughts on partner engagement, program value, and how satisfied you are with SCT’s initiatives.
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Survey Deadline: October 31, 2024
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Confidential: Your honest feedback is safe with us.
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Incentive: Two lucky respondents will win a $200 Oliver's Markets gift card or a $100 Amazon gift card!
Don’t miss your chance to make a difference—complete the survey today! Your feedback empowers us to better support you!
Questions? Contact Kelly Bass Seibel at kseibel@sonomacounty.com.
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Get "Cod" Up In Sonoma County Black Cod Week! | |
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Calling All Sonoma County Restaurants, Markets, and Eateries: Join Black Cod Week!
Sonoma County’s FIRST EVER Black Cod Week is just around the corner, and we need YOU to be part of it! From October 18-27, we’re celebrating this sustainable, local delicacy, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your culinary creativity while supporting our local fishing industry.
With Dungeness crab and Chinook salmon facing challenges, black cod—thriving in our deep, cool coastal waters—is the perfect alternative. Let’s turn the spotlight on this flavorful, eco-friendly fish and give diners an unforgettable experience.
Why Participate?
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Free Marketing: Get featured in Black Cod Week promotions across digital and social media platforms.
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Support Local: Help raise awareness of Sonoma County’s fishing community and sustainable seafood.
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Creative Freedom: Whether it’s black cod tacos, seared black cod, or any dish you dream up, there’s no limit to how you can prepare it—just make sure it's local!
We’ll provide marketing resources, and you’ll be listed on the Black Cod Week website and app. Plus, encourage customers to buy local black cod and try their hand at creating their own delicious dishes at home. Participating restaurants can be viewed here.
Let’s make Black Cod Week a huge success and celebrate Sonoma County’s rich fishing heritage together! Sign up today and spread the word—this is a celebration you don’t want to miss! Please register now.
For any questions, reach out to us at BlackCod@sonomacounty.com. We can’t wait to collaborate with you!
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Special Event Sponsorship Program Now LIVE! Accepting Applications: Oct. 1 – Nov. 15 2024 | |
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Attention Sonoma County Event Producers!
Looking to take your event to the next level and put Sonoma County on the map as a top overnight destination? Here’s your chance! Apply for Sonoma County Tourism’s Special Event Sponsorship and get the support you need to draw visitors from near and far—boosting overnight stays and making your event even more unforgettable!
Applications are open from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15, 2024. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! Whether it’s a festival, concert, or unique local gathering, if your event has what it takes to bring in travelers, we want to hear from you!
For all the details on how to apply, the evaluation criteria, and program timelines, visit our Special Event Sponsorship Program page. Let’s make Sonoma County the ultimate destination!
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Call for Submissions: Share Your Seasonal Offerings! | |
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As we continue our public relations outreach and embrace the change of season, we’d love to hear from our partners about their fall offerings!
What elevated autumnal experiences are you planning this season? Fine dining, immersive wine tastings, spa and relaxation packages, upscale shopping? We want to hear all about it!
Additionally, with the rising popularity of “babymoons”—getaways for expectant parents to relax and bond before their baby arrives—we’re eager to know what special fall and winter packages you’re offering. These trips often feature activities like spa treatments and leisurely meals, providing a meaningful way to celebrate the transition into parenthood.
The "dogcation" trend continues to grow as more travelers look to bring their pets along. We’re interested in hearing about any dog-friendly accommodations or services you offer, including pet amenities, dog-friendly activities, or special events tailored to travelers with dogs.
We’d also love to connect with Sonoma County spas that incorporate cultural practices and ancient medicine. How does your business blend these traditions with modern treatments, and what unique philosophies guide your approach?
Please provide detailed information, including supporting photography if possible, and send your submission to publicrelations@sonomacounty.com.
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Sonoma County Tourism Hosts Successful Hospitality Sales Training Sessions | |
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Sonoma County Tourism recently teamed up with Rick S. Blackburn, owner of BRN Solutions, to deliver a highly successful Hospitality Sales Training for both hotel and non-hotel partners. Building on the momentum from his standout breakout session at the SCT Annual Meeting on Monday, September 23, 2024, Rick led four engaging and interactive workshops at Sonoma County Tourism’s offices. These sessions, which focused on advanced sales strategies, featured hands-on exercises that enhanced participants' skills and knowledge.
With over 93 local hospitality professionals attending the two half-day events, the training was a tremendous success, providing valuable insights and tools to elevate sales efforts across the industry. Sonoma County Tourism is thrilled to continue offering these impactful sessions throughout the year—stay tuned for more opportunities!
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Adopt-a-Road Clean-Up: Armstrong Woods Road | |
Join Us for the Adopt a Road Clean-Up: Armstrong Woods Road!
Help keep Sonoma County beautiful by joining the Sonoma County Tourism Cares for a fun and rewarding morning of trash pick-up along the stunning Armstrong Woods Road! Together, we can make a big impact on our local environment.
Date: Friday, October 18, 2024
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: boon hotel + spa, 14711 Armstrong Woods Road in Guerneville
We’ll provide trash bags, vests, and trash pickers—just bring your energy, water, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen! Let’s make a difference and enjoy the fresh air while we’re at it. Join the effort, and help keep Armstrong Woods beautiful!
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Lodge at Bodega Bay Named #1 Hotel in the World | |
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Congratulations to The Lodge at Bodega Bay for Winning #1 Hotel in the World in Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2024!
We are absolutely thrilled to share some amazing news! The Lodge at Bodega Bay has been honored by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2024 as number one in the Best Hotels in the World!
Why did they win? It’s all in the details. The Lodge’s exceptional ability to offer a serene, yet luxurious escape on the stunning Sonoma coast makes it stand out. Guests rave about the thoughtful touches—like binoculars in every room for perfect views of the Pacific—and the welcoming, home-away-from-home atmosphere, from nautically themed rooms to indulgent spa treatments.
Whether you're savoring local flavors at the acclaimed Drakes Sonoma Coast restaurant or unwinding with a glass of wine as the sun sets over the ocean, the experience is pure bliss. It’s no wonder the Lodge has won the Readers' Choice Best of Northern California award in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023! Here's to celebrating this gem of the Sonoma coast!
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Recovery Efforts for Hurricane Helene | |
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How to Help Impacted Communities
Our thoughts are with North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia as they heal from the widespread devastation of Hurricane Helene. Severe flooding, extensive damage, and loss of life have impacted countless communities, including Asheville and Buncombe County, with recovery efforts just beginning.
For those who would like to provide financial assistance to those impacted by Helene, contributions can be directed to helenedonations@buncombecounty.org. Relief organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and United Way are also distributing aid to affected areas.
For the latest updates and recovery resources in North Carolina, visit Explore Asheville’s dedicated webpage here.
Thank you for your generosity in helping these communities rebuild.
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