TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES
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.
July 8, 2021
Summer is in full swing, and we’re delighted to see visitors excitedly returning to Sonoma County. Although workforce shortages remain an issue, businesses are doing an admirable job accommodating as many patrons as possible, while maintaining the high level of service Sonoma County is celebrated for. For businesses seeking qualified candidates, we recommend reading up on the Airport’s upcoming job fair below.

Since warmer temperatures invariably bring increased visitation to our rivers, our friends at Sonoma County Regional Parks are launching a new shuttle service. The shuttle service is designed for both visitors and residents and will help alleviate the strain on residential neighborhoods when river parking lots are full. 

This morning we were proud to hold our first Sonoma County Accredited Hospitality Professional (AHP) session. Nineteen individuals in the tourism industry completed our inaugural class, learning more about the foundational elements that make Sonoma County unique. Congratulations to our new AHPs! We will be holding classes both virtually and in person and are happy to work with our partners on holding classes at your location. 

As Sonoma County Tourism continues to market to visitors who want to travel responsibly and respectfully, we thank you for helping us reinforce our messaging of traveling safely, kindly and leaving no trace.

Here’s to a safe and successful summer season! 
Kelly Bass Seibel
Senior Director, Community Engagement
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5820
New River Shuttle launches this weekend
Sonoma County Regional Parks has announced the launch of a new weekend shuttle service between Santa Rosa and Russian River Beaches, starting this Saturday and continuing every weekend through Labor Day. The River Shuttle is operated by C3 Transportation, and features three new, 39-seat, ADA-accessible, low-emission vans. The shuttles will adhere to all required COVID safety protocols

Shuttles run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., leaving every 30 minutes from Tom Schopflin Fields on Old Redwood Highway in Santa Rosa and traveling to Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park in Forestville. 

Round-trip tickets are $5 and can be purchased through C3 Transportation’s online ticketing system at russianrivershuttle.mytrakk.com. Passengers can hop on and off at either beach. For more information on the Regional Parks River Shuttle and route maps, click here
Sonoma County Airport Job Fair
The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport is hosting a job fair on Tuesday, July 20 from 3 to 8 p.m. at its Vine Jet Hangar (just south of the terminal). This free event will provide assistance to job seekers and employers looking for staff. Some of the participating employers include the County of Sonoma, Alaska Airlines, SP+, KaiserAir Inc., Trinity Technology Group, Servexo Protective Services, Sonoma Jet Center, Sky Lounge Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, Korbel, Electronic Innovations, Pure Luxury Transportation, and Apple Spice.

The Airport will be providing tables, chairs, and interviewing booths to its participating businesses, free of charge. Although registration for businesses interested in hosting a table passed on June 25, the Airport has indicated it may be able to accommodate additional employers. Business owners interested in taking advantage of this opportunity are encouraged to contact Adam Borovkoff at [email protected] with their name, company, email, and phone number. 
SCHA Contracts and Cancellation Forum
The Sonoma County Hospitality Association (SCHA) is offering a forum on “Contracts and Cancellation Policies in the Age of Unpredictable Events” on Tuesday, July 13 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Panelists will include Percy Brandon (GM, Vintners Resort), Derek A. Ridgway (Attorney, Hanson Bridgett), Rose Stanton (CMP, Wine Country Destination), and Liza Graves (Co-Founder, Beautiful Places).

The panelists will share their thoughts on drafting cancellation policies with regards to unpredictable events, explain Force Majeure, and discuss “impossibility” or “impracticability” clauses. As part of SCHA’s commitment to this industry, the forum is provided free to both members and potential members. Learn more and register here
Vote for Sonoma County
United Airlines Hemispheres Readers' Choice Awards

Sonoma County has been nominated for Best American Wine Region in Hemispheres magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. We hope you will help spread the word and encourage voting, which remains open through July 10. Voting is limited to one ballot per person, and the results will be announced in the magazine’s September issue.

Sonoma County was runner up in last year’s poll (losing the top spot to our eastern neighbor), so let’s gather the troops and try to take the crown as the Best American Wine Region! Vote here
USA Today's 2021 10Best Reader's Choice Travel Awards
 
USA Today asked a panel of wine industry experts to pick their favorite North American wine regions, and we’re happy to report both the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley made the nomination list. Vote for your favorite out of this pool of 20 nominees once per day until voting ends on Monday, August 2 at 9 a.m. You can read the official Readers' Choice rules here, and vote here