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Visit North Carolina
Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - August 15, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC at ESTO
* Visit NC rolls out inaugural Trail Town
Guide
* PR team, partner pitching scores
major Halloween coverage
Visit NC at ESTO
Visit NC's Wit T uttell, Katie Bailey, Veda Gilbert, Scott Peacock, Marlise
Taylor and Heidi Walters attended ESTO this week in Columbus, Ohio.
Partners from across North Carolina, along with N.C. Department of
Commerce's Wally Wazan, also joined the group.
Veda Gilbert co-facilitated the ESTO “Public Relations-States Peer Open Forum." With fellow
facilitator Joshua Coddington of Tourism Arizona, Gilbert delved into how PR and communications
roles vary among state tourism offices. The forum allowed tourism communications colleagues
from across the country to connect and discuss what’s working, what isn’t and what’s new.
Visit NC’s “For Real, Visit North Carolina" campaign was one of three states to be named a finalist
for a Mercury Award in the Broadcast Advertising: Television category. View the ads in the
campaign here.
NEWSLINK
Visit NC rolls out inaugural Trail Town Guide
Visit NC’s new Official North Carolina Trail Town Guide is a collection of pathways
for adventure-loving travelers and culture seekers exploring the Great Trails State.
Created through the Outdoor NC initiative in partnership with 15 allied
destinations, the digital-only guide serves as a go-to resource for natural wonder.
For each destination, the guide links to a selection of trails, accessibility details,
responsible recreation practices and trip tips from local experts. It also includes a
map, a list of the seven Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles, and an invitation to "Join the
movement" toward sustainable travel. Visit NC launched the Outdoor NC initiative in 2020 to
address the toll taken on public lands as people sought escape from pandemic-induced
confinement. With Leave No Trace as a founding partner, Outdoor NC enlisted destination
marketers, public agencies, nonprofits and private businesses to help educate and inspire
responsible use of irreplaceable gifts. The Trail Town Guide heightens the commitment while
highlighting trails with more than muscle appeal. As designated in the guide, the 15 towns and
surrounding areas are Asheville, Blowing Rock, Brevard, Burgaw, Eden, Gastonia, Highlands, Old
