BuckeyeLine

A Message From State Tourism Director Amir Eylon

A First Quarter Progress Report on Change and Opportunity
As I sit here writing this month’s message, it is almost 70 degrees and mostly sunny outside, a true hint of the upcoming spring season. The forecast for the rest of the week, however, has highs in the mid- to upper-30s with rain and possibly snow. This is the perfect reminder that change is a constant.

Last month, I discussed change and the opportunities that change can often bring. I was delighted to hear from industry partners sharing their own recent changes and support for our changes and our efforts to seek out new opportunities for partnership. I have also spent quite a bit of time on the road lately attending various industry and community gatherings. The initiatives I have observed range across the board – from the entrepreneurial partnerships of the new Furniture Expo in Holmes County to the educational partnerships formed from the Ohio Small Business Development Center’s recent regional Tourism Conference in North Canton. Across Ohio, I am pleased to report that the Tourism Industry’s resolve to grow through innovation is strong!

Chicago Media Mission Set for April 23-24

Ohio Travel Industry members with stories of interest to travel media in the Chicago market are invited to submit information and/or vie for a spot to participate in the Chicago mission. In order to keep the meetings meaningful, participation is limited to six Ohio Travel Industry members. To indicate your interest in participating in the mission, please complete the media mission questionnaire and return to Tammy Brown at tbrown@odod.state.oh.us no later than March 12. If you already completed a questionnaire for New York, just email Tammy to express your interest in participating in Chicago.

Accommodations Survey Reminder

The final mailing of the accommodations survey to statewide hotels, motels, resorts and campgrounds was completed in the last week of February. Returning your survey greatly increases the accuracy of our economic impact study. Please complete and return your survey in the pre-paid envelope that was included. If you need a survey, they are available for download from http://industry.discoverohio.com in the special features section.

2008-09 Fall/Winter Discover Ohio Calendar of Events Deadline April 25

To have your Ohio event considered for inclusion in the printed 2008-09 Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events (50,000 quantity printed), please submit/update your information in the DiscoverOhio.com/Buckeye database by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25.

Hold May 13 for Special Ohio Tourism Celebration

As you make plans locally to celebrate National Tourism Week this year (May 10-18), please consider holding May 13 to join the Division for the unveiling of Ohio’s new travel advertising creative. Plans are in the works for a press conference followed by an experiential display of Ohio’s outstanding tourism opportunities at the Statehouse. Watch for details (coming soon) about how to get involved!

2008 Ohio Travel Planner and Spring/Summer Calendar of Events Now Available

We are pleased to announce availability of the 2008 Discover Ohio Travel Planner, the state’s official travel guide, and the 2008 Spring/Summer Discover Ohio Calendar of Events. Bulk quantities of the free publications can be ordered online.

Division and Ohio Travel Industry Head to Heartland

Heartland Travel Showcase, the Ohio Travel Association’s regional group tour trade show, will be in Milwaukee, Wisc., March 7-9. Ninety-five Ohio delegates representing 86 entities will be in attendance in 65 Ohio booths to meet with tour planners. The Ohio aisles will be decorated with archways displaying the “Ohio…So much to Discover” and Ohio burgee flags. Celeste Krolak is scheduled to meet with 27 tour operators and her leads will be posted in the Group Tour section of Travel Buzz at www.DiscoverOhio.com/industry. Go to www.ohiotravel.org for more information on Heartland Travel Showcase.

(Photo caption: The Ohio Tourism Division maintained its presence with industry members at last year's Heartland Travel Showcase.)

Cleveland to Host African American Travel Conference April 8-10

Positively Cleveland will host the African American Travel Conference April 8-10. The African American market is one of the fastest-growing segments of group travel. The Division and representatives from Carousel Dinner Theatre, Cincinnati Museum Center, Experience Columbus, Greater Licking County CVB, Living Bible Museum, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Ohio Historical Society, Ohio's Appalachian Country, Positively Cleveland, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ross Chillicothe CVB and Warren County CVB are scheduled to participate in meetings with tour planners to promote Ohio. For more information, contact Joe Cappuzello at (800) 682-0993 or go to www.aatconline.com by March 10 to receive scheduled appointments during the conference.

ABA Conference Update

Division leads from the 2008 American Bus Association Annual Marketplace appointments have been posted in the Travel Buzz section of the Industry Web site. The leads are available to download. Please visit the Industry site or click here to download the leads.

The 33-member Ohio delegation had a collection of productive sales appointments, quality booth time, educational seminars and a successful Dinearound during the American Bus Association Annual Marketplace in Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 2-7.

The conference set records in every delegate category in the event’s 27-year history. The Division gained extra exposure by sponsoring Alf Nucifora and his series of tourism educational seminars and Experience Columbus sponsored a tour operator breakfast. In addition, 29 delegates hosted 19 professional tour operator guests for an Ohio dinner to further promote the Ohio group tour product to some of our top customers.

1-800-Buckeye Partner Days Available

Openings for the 1-800-BUCKEYE partner days are still available. Contact Eric Herzog for available dates and times. Partner days are an opportunity for Ohio tourism-related businesses to visit and provide training to the call center agents at 1-800-Buckeye. Partners get a two-hour block of time where they will conduct three or four short training sessions for the call center agents.