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. | |
Drive New Traffic with the Sonoma County Tasting Pass! | |
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Attract New Visitors with the Sonoma County Tasting Pass
The Sonoma County Tasting Pass is a mobile-exclusive passport designed to simplify visitors' wine country exploration by offering curated tasting experiences at participating wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries.
Why Participate in the Tasting Pass Program?
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No Cost: Free to SCT partners, with wholesale tasting rates reimbursed for every redemption.
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Seamless Integration: Simplified transactions for guests and easy reimbursements for you.
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Added Exposure: Benefit from SCT's extensive marketing efforts and add exclusive deals to attract more customers.
How It Works
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Get the Pass: Visitors purchase the Tasting Pass, gaining access to a range of tastings across Sonoma County.
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Instant Access: Passes are delivered instantly via text and email—no app required.
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Redeem: Guests show their pass to redeem tasting flights and any available discounts.
Bring new customers to your business through this engaging, user-friendly Tasting Pass program! Contact sales@sonomacounty.com to get started. Check out the details here.
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Holiday Buzz: Share Your Thanksgiving & Seasonal Specials! | |
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Help Us Help You Promote Your Holiday Openings & Seasonal Offers!
If you’re offering Black Friday or Travel Tuesday promotions or experiences, we’d love to know! Not only can we help spread the word, but we’re already fielding inquiries from reporters interested in holiday travel deals—ranging from budget-friendly to luxury options, as well as shoulder season opportunities. Deadlines are fast approaching, with one as early as Tuesday, Nov. 5, so please share your updates with us soon by reaching out to pr@sonomacounty.com
Additionally, if your business will be open for Thanksgiving or the holidays, please tag your listing in the Hospitality Hub under the “Manage Amenities” tab under your account profile. We’re here to help you make the most of this holiday season! If you need assistance, feel free to contact HospitalityHub@sonomacounty.com.
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Stock Up on Sonoma County Collateral: Free Visitor Guides & Rack Cards Await | |
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Boost Your Guest Experience with FREE Visitor Resources!
Make sure your visitors have everything they need to explore Sonoma County with our FREE Visitor Guides/Maps (order as many as you’d like—boxes of 200), Sonoma County App rack cards to encourage guests to download the app, create itineraries, and share with friends. Order Sonoma County Tasting Pass rack cards for your hotel lobby, visitor center or anywhere a guest might them pick up!
These resources not only enhance your guests’ experience but also help drive traffic to your business. Don’t forget to update your business listing in the Hospitality Hub to ensure accurate information is right at their fingertips in both our app and sonomacounty.com. While you're there, place your order and get ready to elevate your guest experience!
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Master the Essentials. Elevate the Experience. | |
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Unlock Excellence: Join Sonoma County’s Accredited Hospitality Professional Program!
Looking to elevate your team’s expertise and set your business apart in Sonoma County’s vibrant hospitality scene? Sonoma County Tourism’s Accredited Hospitality Professional (AHP) program is designed to give you and your team the tools to deliver top-tier guest experiences that keep visitors coming back.
Why Enroll?
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Exclusive Access: Behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on workshops, and lunch & learns at Sonoma’s standout spots—wineries, galleries, restaurants, and more!
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Deep Dive into Local Culture: Build immersive knowledge of Sonoma County’s history, culture, and visitor expectations to elevate your guest experience.
Ready to lead in hospitality? Join the AHP program today! View the class schedule through December here.
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Take Your Event to the Next Level with Sonoma County Tourism’s Special Event Sponsorship! | |
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Calling All Event Producers in Sonoma County!
Ready to make your event a standout attraction? Sonoma County Tourism is offering Special Event Sponsorships to elevate your event, increase overnight stays, and showcase Sonoma County as the ultimate destination.
Why Apply?
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Amplify Your Reach: Gain resources to attract a wider audience.
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Boost Overnight Stays: Encourage visitors to extend their stay in Sonoma County.
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Make It Unmissable: With SCT’s support, turn your event into a highlight of the season!
Apply by November 15, 2024
Applications are open now through November 15. Don’t miss this chance to showcase your event! For details, visit our Special Event Sponsorship Program page. Let’s make Sonoma County the destination for unforgettable experiences!
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Network, Nosh, and Reserve Your Spot—Spaces Fill Fast! | |
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You're Invited! Santa Rosa Hospitality Mixer with Sonoma County Tourism
Sonoma County Tourism invites you to our Hospitality Mixer at the Courtyard Santa Rosa on Wednesday, November 13, from 5-6:30pm. These must-attend events fill up fast so be sure to RSVP early!
Mingle with industry peers while enjoying local bites and beverages. It's the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, share insights, and catch up with colleagues in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Don't miss out on an evening of top-notch networking and Sonoma County hospitality! Register by November 12 at 5pm or until we reach capacity.
Location: Courtyard Santa Rosa175 Railroad St. Santa Rosa
Date: Wednesday, November 13
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Please reach out to Tracy Koch at tkoch@sonomacounty.com with questions.
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Spread the Cheer: Showcase Your Holiday Vibe with Sonoma County Tourism! | |
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Boost Your Brand This Holiday Season with Sonoma County Tourism!
The holidays are near, and Sonoma County Tourism invites you to share your festive spirit! Submit your best holiday images to our digital asset library and showcase the season’s magic at your business.
Participating gives you the chance to expand your audience—our global network of journalists and media contacts could feature your business, boosting visibility and attracting new visitors.
We’re looking for high-quality, horizontally framed images that capture the essence of the holidays at your location. Whether it’s cozy decor, wintery vineyard scenes, or special holiday experiences, let’s work together to spotlight the unique spirit of Sonoma County. Please upload your images here or send them to publicrelations@sonomacounty.com.
We can’t wait to share your holiday story with the world!
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Partner Survey: Your Input Is Essential! | |
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Last Call for Survey Responses: Help Us Make Next Year’s Programming Game-Changing!
Sonoma County Tourism is dedicated to driving revenue for your business, and your feedback is essential to make our programs even more impactful. Take 10 minutes to share your thoughts on partner engagement, program value, and satisfaction with SCT’s initiatives.
Why Your Input Matters:
- Shape the Future: Your insights guide our planning and support for your success.
- Last Call: The survey closes October 31, 2024!
- Enter to win a a $200 Oliver's Markets gift card or a $100 Amazon gift card!
Help us make Sonoma County’s tourism efforts stronger—complete the survey today! Questions? Reach out to Kelly Bass Seibel at kseibel@sonomacounty.com.
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Sip, Savor, and Plan: Sonoma County Wows Meeting Planners at San Jose Luncheon | |
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Spotlight on Sonoma County: Meeting Planner Client Lunch in San Jose
On October 24, Sonoma County Tourism’s Destination Sales Team and valued partners hosted an exclusive Meet the Winemaker luncheon at Scott’s Seafood in San Jose, featuring Dustin Valette of Valette Wines. This special event provided meeting planners with an immersive experience of Sonoma County’s unique offerings for memorable meetings and events.
More than 40 meeting planners from companies like Tesla, Intuit, Skift, Amazon, and Google enjoyed an exceptional culinary experience paired with Sonoma County wines. The SCT sales team presented the latest updates on Sonoma County’s meeting venues, hotel options, and group experiences—all curated to meet the needs of today’s discerning meeting planners.
A highlight of the event was the introduction of SCT's Bay Area Transportation Incentive, which offers complimentary group transportation to and from Sonoma County for qualifying events—a valuable feature for planners aiming to create seamless travel experiences.
A special thank you to our sponsoring partners, including Flamingo Resort & Spa, DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, Pure Luxury Transportation, RMC DMC, AutoCamp, EventWright, and Valette Wines.
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Hooked on Local Flavor: Black Cod Week Makes Waves in Sonoma County! | |
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Sonoma County’s First Black Cod Week: A Community Success
Thank you to everyone who helped make Sonoma County’s inaugural Black Cod Week a resounding success! This week-long culinary event brought together over 58 local chefs, restaurants, and retailers, all united in support of our local fishing fleet during challenging times.
Special thanks to the County of Sonoma, the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative, Sonoma County Hospitality Association, and Oliver’s Markets for their enthusiastic promotions!
We appreciate everyone who spread the word and joined in to celebrate our local fishing heritage. Let’s keep black cod on the menu and continue supporting Sonoma’s fishing community!
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