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APRIL 16 LUNCHEON MEETING FOLLOW UP
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Our April luncheon was held downtown at the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center. The presentations were as a direct result of a few of the comments from WAHA membership we received regarding the lack of current information on all of the local happenings, promotions, restaurants, events, etc. in our area.
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Our luncheon presenters included Shannon Gentry, Executive Director and CEO of ENCORE which is being reinstated (it had been a popular resource in the past) in a print and digital format.
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"Encore is back! Wilmington’s beloved alternative magazine is relaunching with a renewed focus on community, creativity, and connection. Join us for Encore’s Revival Party on May 3 to celebrate the start of this exciting new chapter—featuring local art, light bites, and a toast to the future. Learn more at encorepub.org."
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For details on this event, please go to Encore's Facebook page and indicate your interest in attending!
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Megan and Dustin Rowe, co-founders of "Check What's Good" operate a digital platform that successfully highlights events, restaurants and attractions, increasing their uptake by local and visiting consumers.
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Check What's Good helps visitors and locals discover the best things to do from stand-up comedy at your favorite brewery to concerts at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. They have quickly established themselves as the top place for discovering the best Wilmington has to offer and reach over 1,000,000 people every month on social media and 360,000 views on their website. Since launching they have worked with 30+ partners in Wilmington and are excited to start benefiting hotels more directly.
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Here are a few key links:
Add Hotel (Free): Click Here
Add Event (Free): Click Here (this link is always available on our website and social media)
Crazy Case Studies from our Wilmington Partners: Click Here
Subscribe to our Free Weekly Newsletter: Click Here
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MEMBERSHIP NETWORKING EVENT
Join members of the hospitality industry at our next networking event which will be held at Perla Raw Bar in Wilmington (across from Mayfaire) on May 21. Please RSVP.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Several members requested that Visit NC be invited to share updates. We are pleased to announce that Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit NC will be our guest speaker on October 15 at Bluewater Waterfront Grill.
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DAVE & BUSTERS
Dave & Busters would like to invite WAHA members, their families and colleagues to their VIP Night on May 23rd. This is a free event to welcome our local community to see their brand new store!
RSVP HERE!
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They will have some free food, drinks, and games for their guests.
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Additionally, everyone is invited to the GRAND OPENING of Dave & Busters at 11am on May 26!
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MEMBERSHIP DUES REMINDER
If you've enjoyed our luncheons or networking events, we urge you to become a WAHA member. A single membership fee of $150 is applicable to all members or employees in your organization and/or company. You can join here. Luncheons are $35 per member and $55 per non-member.
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WILMINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Avelo Airlines announced another director flight to a Florida destination. Flights to Miami will commence from June 6 through August 16 (every Friday and Saturday), making it the fifth direct flight to a Florida destination for Avelo Airlines. There are currently (28) non-stop flights departing from ILM that provide access to over 500 destinations.
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WILMINGTON AND BEACHES CVB
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NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK: May 4-10, 2025
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You're invited to the annual Travel Rally breakfast celebrating the Wilmington and Beaches Hospitality/Tourism Industry!
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Hosted during National Travel & Tourism Week (May 4-10, 2025,) the Wilmington and Beaches CVB is honored to recognize our local hospitality/travel partners and elected officials as we salute travel and tourism in New Hanover County.
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What: Travel Rally Breakfast & Celebration
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When: Wednesday, May 7th, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
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Where: Wilmington Convention Center (Junior Ballroom), 10 Convention Center Drive, Wilmington
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This year’s celebration will feature:
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- An overview of the findings of New Hanover County's Tourism Destination Master Plan. The plan was completed the first of this year and outlines future opportunities to align tourism development with the growth of the community, casting a comprehensive vision for our future. Individual beach community plans have also been developed to more acutely identify opportunities and needs within each town.
- Tourism Star & Jane Peterson Tourism Legacy Awards
VISIT NC
Recently, Connie Nelson from our CVB attended a mini-media mission coordinated by Visit NC in Boston. ILM offers non-stop flights to this destination, an opportunity to drive greater interest in Wilmington as "destination to visit!" When possible, either on official or social media sites, linking to ILM's site where non-stop flights (like Boston) will encourage visitors from those destinations.
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There are a variety of ways to drive greater exposure for destination products in Wilmington; check out Partner Opportunities for 2025-2026 offered by Visit NC.
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BIG PICTURE IN TOURISM
US Travel Association is pressuring the Administration and Congress to streamline global travel because of the major events that will occur in the US in the coming years: America's 250th Anniversary in 2025, the Ryder Cup that same year, the World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028. While (other than America 250), these events might not directly increase visitor numbers to our area, all efforts to streamline travel will affect overall inbound travel to the U.S. and spill over to the domestic travel market as well.
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Costar CEO's are still bullish about occupancy in the next quarter, one CEO noting that "early summer bookings" were strong after a modest downturn in the first quarter. Also highlighted is employee hiring and retention with an emphasis of creating the right kind of environment with opportunities for advancement for employees. Wilmington continues to see new accommodation properties open; certainly, it would be worthwhile for companies to try to retain their existing employees as "new job openings" continue to be on offer!
The First in Freedom Festival will begin in February 2025; however, there will be events and postings that will highlight our region through 2025.
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It is possible for accommodations to be included in this promotion, perhaps by offering overnight stays with admission to historic sites and events, etc. There is also an opportunity to obtain signage promoting "First in Freedom" for your hotel, a small desk sign announcing the event that peaks guest interest. Contact Steven Roberts at [email protected] for additional information.
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All articles and podcasts on travel trends stress that "experiences, events, food and authenticity" affect travelers' decision-making. It pays to include as much information as possible on accommodation booking sites.
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