TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES |
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This partner communication exists to provide timely information on Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry, along with resources to help partners navigate through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. |
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Destination marketing is more challenging than ever before. With the enormous headwinds facing our industry, we must be innovative in the ways we promote Sonoma County. SCT has an incredible group of professionals who, with great strategy and passion, work to find the best ways to be efficient and effective in the way we communicate with potential visitors. Below are several interesting opportunities that the team created and executed in ways that truly create an appeal for Sonoma County. I am incredibly honored to be part of a team and among partners for all you do to engage customers and find ways to break through brick-solid barriers. You all are stalwarts of the highest degree. |
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Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
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SCT’s expanding relationship with Miles
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Sonoma County Tourism is pleased to announce we'll soon be introducing all new integrated marketing opportunities across our visitor guide, wedding guide, map, website and email programs. Developed in collaboration with our friends at Miles Partnership, these affordable programs will offer new ways to reach highly qualified potential visitors across all of Sonoma County Tourism's marketing channels.
Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks. For more information contact Demetria Clemons, [email protected].
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Sonoma County’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers on Facebook Live
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Topics included what makes Sonoma County a unique wine destination, why the Tastemakers chose to build a career and home here, varietals in Sonoma County, and what tourists can expect when visiting.
You can watch a recording of the facebook live session here.
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Russian River Art Installations
The Sonoma West Times & News posted an article last week about a series of art installations throughout the Russian River area by celebrated artist Jim Isermann. The project was made possible by the collaboration of Bob Pullum with the Creative ReOpening Project of the Russian River and the Monte Rio Chamber of Commerce.
Our thanks goes out to Bob Pullum, Jim Isermann, and everyone else involved in this project. We appreciate you helping to #keepsonomasafe.
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Holiday Exposure on SonomaCounty.com
Get Added to our Articles and Blog Posts
If your business has a great holiday event coming up, or is a winery or restaurant open Christmas Eve and New Year’s, and you would like to be considered for inclusion in either piece, please email Katja West at [email protected].
Submit Gift Ideas for our Holiday Microsite
In crafting our holiday messaging, including our holiday microsite, we will be featuring partner’s offerings for holiday gift ideas submitted through the partner extranet. If you would like your offering included, please visit the partner extranet here.
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SCT Invites Businesses to Join Next Virtual Gathering
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Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) is seeking local businesses to join them for a “getting to know you” virtual gathering on Thursday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
This virtual gathering gives tourism and hospitality facing businesses the opportunity to meet with the SCT team and a number of Certified Tourism Ambassadors (CTAs) so that they can learn all about your business. They then use this information in their outreach to, and interactions with, media and prospective tourists.
Each guest is given around 5-7 minutes to present their business, followed by a brief Q&A session. If you are interested in participating in the December 10 meeting, please email Devin McConnell at [email protected].
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Changes Announced to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy
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At his press conference yesterday, Governor Newsom announced changes to the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Tier assignments, traditionally announced on Tuesdays, may now be changed any day of the week and multiple times a week. Counties may also be moved back more than one tier if CDPH determines data supports a more intensive intervention. And while counties previously had 72 hours to implement sector changes, counties will now be required to implement any sector changes the day following the tier announcement.
Additionally, Newsom announced that California is strengthening mask requirements while outside of homes and could possibly announce a curfew on business hours as early as this Friday.
We will keep you updated as additional information becomes available.
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Testing Progress in Sonoma County
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As many of you know, to move to the next tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the County needs to lower its COVID-19 test positivity rate. Testing more broadly across the community enables the County to lower its overall test positivity rate. Great effort was made to get the word out to the business community about the importance of getting employees tested, and it has been incredible to see businesses rise to the challenge.
We want to express our gratitude to every business owner that has helped facilitate the testing of their employees. Whether displaying testing information posters, sponsoring a testing site for employees at your facility, or encouraging employees to take a free test at one of the OptumServe testing sites, you are not only helping to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, you are getting us that much closer to leaving the state’s most restrictive tier.
While Sonoma County remains in the purple tier for now, everyone’s hard work is making a difference. Many of California’s counties are backsliding in progress, leading to renewed restrictions. It is our belief that if Sonoma County continues its testing progress, we can buck the trend, and go from having been one of the only counties still in the purple tier, to one of the only counties not in the purple tier.
Please keep up the good work! And remember to tell your employees that if they live within targeted census tracts they can receive gift cards for getting tested, and may be eligible for financial assistance if they are diagnosed with COVID-19.
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COVID Relief Now Coalition Survey
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The U.S. Travel Association’s COVID Relief Now Coalition is requesting participation in a survey to capture data regarding COVID impacts to businesses and organizations. The information collected in this survey will be used to advise congressional leaders on the importance of quickly passing additional economic relief legislation.
Please take a few minutes of your time to respond to the questions in the survey here.
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Sonoma County Tourism has a Coronavirus Partner Toolkit regularly updated here.
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board has compiled a comprehensive list of local, state, and government resources (including financing options) for businesses at their SoCo Launch website here.
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Get tested and help Sonoma County eliminate the coronavirus. Broad COVID-19 viral testing is now available. Learn more here.
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