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JUNE 25 LUNCHEON SPONSORED BY THE HOTEL LELA
Thank you to the Hotel Lela Wilmington, Taspestry Collection by Hilton for sponsoring our June 25 luncheon. This new hotel is conveniently located on Market Street; in addition to the hotel, a full-service restaurant, Paloma’s at Lela is located at the hotel.
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Our June 25 Presenter will be Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is one of the major catalysts for economic growth in our area, attracting new businesses and supporting existing business expansion in all sectors, which, in turn, positively affects the hospitality industry. Whether businesses are “scoping the area,” negotiating real estate deals, under construction (often bringing in out-of-town labor) or holding meetings and conferences, they stay in hotels, dine in restaurants, shop and enjoy attraction visits, etc. We look forward to hearing what new businesses are coming into the area, whether in the short or long term.
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Reservations for the luncheon are $35 for members, $55 for non-members and reservations can be made here.
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If you would like to become a member of WAHA, you can join online.
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MEMBERSHIP NETWORKING EVENT
We’re pleased to announce that our next networking event will be held at iFLY on Eastwood Road on July 16. Complimentary refreshments will be provided by our host and a local brewery will offer a cash bar. Attendees will be able to take flight at a discounted rate of $59.95 (2 flights). Additionally, "Conflicts Kinetics" a photorealistic marksmanship simulator located in iFLY, will be available to attendees. Games and simulations of many types, from zombies, to target practice to accuracy games are projected on a 220 degree screen all around the room, Invitaiton coming soon!
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Be sure to plug the dates of our upcoming meetings in your calendar!
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- Trailborn Surf and Sound will host our August 20 luncheon. The featured speaker will be Kim Hufham, President and CEO of Wilmington and Beaches CVB. The Tourism Master Plan is complete and attendees at a meeting hosted by the CVB were introduced to an overview of the plan. What does it mean to hospitality industry businesses? How can they utilize and support the plan for the benefit of Wilmington as whole? These questions and more will be addressed at our August luncheon.
- We will hold a special “ATTRACTIONS IN WILMINGTON” breakfast at the County Club in Landfall on September 17.
- Our October 15 Luncheon, hosted by Bluewater Waterfront Grill will feature Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit NC. Wit will provide updates on industry trends and the status of the hospitality industry in North Carolina.
- Additional networking events TBD.
- Our Annual Holiday Luncheon, sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County will be on December 17. In additional to holiday entertainment, tickets for Raffle Baskets will be on offer with donations to a “Safe Place” in Wilmington (a list of needed donations will be provided and raffle tickets will be provided in exchange for donations.)
HOSPITALITY “GOOD NEWS”
Several area businesses won awards at the Wilmington and Beaches CVB annual Travel Rally this spring. In distributing the awards, Kim Hufham, President and CEO of the CVB noted, “Each year during National Travel and Tourism Week, the Wilmington and Beaches CVB recognizes individuals working in the hospitality industry whose extraordinary contributions help to make Wilmington and our island beaches the best of the Carolina coast.”
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Southern Living named Wilmington as one the dreamiest coastal cities to live in in the South.
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USA TODAY announced that all three Wilmington Beaches: Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach were included in the Readers' Survey of the 10 Best Beaches in the South.
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USA TODAY also ranked Caroline Beach Boardwalk #3 and Wilmington Riverwalk #3 Best Riverwalk, both of which ranked the best in the nation in USA TODAY’S Best Readers' Choice Awards.
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The “Rail Trail” that has been a project of the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County recently received a grant to resume work on the RAIL TRAIL. This attraction will add to the (already) varied experiences available in Downtown, connecting different areas and streets to each other.
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WILMINGTON AND BEACHES CVB
The Hospitality Industry viewed the Destination on the Rise TOURISM MASTER PLAN at the annual Travel Luncheon held at the Wilmington Convention Center during National Tourism Week. This plan is the result of in-depth research and input from stakeholders in the hospitality industry as well as the community. It will be used as the blueprint to position Wilmington and its beaches going forward.
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As noted above, our area has become a “favorite place to live”; it is also a desirable visitor destination as more people become aware of the amazing history, accommodation choices, dining options, award-winning beaches, shopping venues and a vibrant downtown situated on a scenic riverfront.
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AMERICA 250 FIRST IN FREEDOM FESTIVAL EVENTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS
Moores Creek is the site of the first battle won by the Patriots in the Revolutionary war. A week-long event will be held from February 21-28 at Moores Creek to celebrate that event.
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However, it is the intention of the First in Freedom Festival that New Hanover County and (7) other SE NC counties have a platform to promote a year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. To that end, they will be promoting special offers and events throughout 2026.
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July 1 remains the deadline for submitting information about the various events taking place. To facilitate this process, we have included a link to the NC First in Freedom Festival Events Registry form below.
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Perhaps, as an accommodation, a “special offer” for a designated period of time would include a discount at your hotel with ticketing to historic attractions or other special offers. An attraction could offer a special discount and a restaurant or brewery a “featured meal or drink”.
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This information will then get exposure on their website, in Facebook content and a visitor guide.
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VISIT NC
Visit NC was recently at the Southeast Tourism Society's Congressional Summit on Travel and Tourism in Washington DC. Attendees met with members of Congress from the Southeast to discuss policies that affect the tourism industry on national, regional and local levels.
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GearJunkie.com is the authority on outdoor news and gear. They are running a major sweepstakes events featuring Outdoor NC partners that includes a "Catching the Waves in Wrightsville Beach" package which features a two-night stay at the Trailborn Surf a& sound (with breakfast) with a 1.5 hour surf lesson with surfboard and wetsuit included.
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Visit NC mentions Wilmington’s Cucalorus Film Festival as being among MovieMaker’s internation list of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2025!” Quite an honor for this storied event in our area, “Chief instigating officer Dan Brawley will make sure everyone has fun watching weird, daring, inspiring films, paired with music and comedy and performance art pieces. Wilmington’s very own FILM FESTIVAL will be celebrating (30) years of indie films!
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BIG PICTURE IN TOURISM
Brand USA continues in its efforts to drive international visitation to the U.S. International visitors, who stay longer and partake in more experiences, spend more per capita than domestic visitors. Most recently a new initiative being promoted is with the U.S. Department of Transportation who created the The Great American Roadtrip “Route 66” is a very popular road trip with visitors from all over the world. Certainly other “road trips”, including those that feature the South, will be forthcoming!
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The industry continues to tout the trends of “immersive experiences” and “finding new places”, travelers lead the way in driving this demand.
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The U.S. Travel Association continues to lobby for support of the industry, most recently requesting that Congress support funding for initiatives to support the industry.
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