Destination inspiration based around the metaverse, food, pro tennis, bourbon, and Broadway shows from DMOs across the USA.
ATLANTA META WORLD
Introducing Atlanta Meta World from Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the first-of-its-kind metaverse experience of a city destination. This is the first step toward a vision that will provide meeting planners and prospective visitors the opportunity to virtually explore key elements of the Atlanta experience while interacting with other virtual world visitors and representatives of the venues.
WHAT IS IT? Atlanta Meta World is a visually-realistic virtual world representation of the as-built environment. The starting point of the experience is the visitor information center in Centennial Olympic Park. This 22-acre green space on Georgia World Congress Center’s campus lies in the heart of downtown Atlanta, surrounded by attractions, hotels and restaurants. Visitors to the virtual world today can explore the many areas of the park and will soon be able to visit and explore attractions, meeting and event venues throughout Atlanta.
Atlanta Meta World is a truly persistent, photo-realistic representation of a destination where users can select an avatar and navigate the virtual experience, interacting with other users in real time. Atlanta Meta World is accessible through a browser, so anyone with a computer and internet connection can enjoy the experience. Atlanta Meta World allows the destination specialists and partner venue representatives to conduct customer presentations to private and public groups before guiding them around the facilities on a virtual tour.
To read more and enter Atlanta Meta World, click here.
ADVANTAGE ASHEVILLE
The United States Tennis Association has announced Explore Asheville as the official tourism partner for the 2022 US Open on Aug. 29 – Sept. 11, placing the North Carolina destination front and center throughout the event that takes place 700 miles away in New York City.
The partnership with the US Open will provide Asheville with on-court signage in Arthur Ashe Stadium, video boards at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and marketing messages on usopen.org and US Open Radio. One evening session during the tournament will be designated “Asheville Night.”
“Explore Asheville is proud to elevate our relationship with the USTA and Asheville’s reputation as a creative, vibrant community for leisure travel, business groups and sports events,” said Victoria Isley, President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Asheville is only the second city in history to host three Billie Jean King Cup matches – and we plan to draw more brand-aligned events to benefit the Asheville community.”
FLORIDA FOR FOODIES
“We are thrilled to let people know about the incredible culinary scene that we have in Florida,” said Staci Mellman, Chief Marketing Officer, VISIT FLORIDA. “And who better to tell that story than the restaurateurs themselves?” VISIT FLORIDA and Emergent Media have announced the launch of Florida’s Table to promote the state’s dynamic culinary scene by showcasing a diverse handful of restaurants across Southeast Florida. Each episode features a local chef or restaurateur representing their cultural origins through flavors, culminating in the presentation of a Floridian signature dish, such as Duck Ramen at Ramen Lab Eatery in Boca Raton.
Distribution is driven through Emergent Media’s Paradise audience network, which embodies a curious, go-getter with experiential travel ambitions. Organic and paid social programming runs through mid-September on Web, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Florida’s Table positions Florida as the perfect destination for modern explorers to satisfy their taste buds, as well as their adventure cravings.
“Travelers already love Florida’s beautiful beaches, iconic theme parks, and hidden outdoor gems, with the launch of this effort they will discover yet another wonderful thing about Florida,” said Mellman.
LOUISVILLE GETS SOCIAL
Louisville Tourism is launching 78 Social, a new and exclusive members-only club that will help advance the city’s brand and assist in rekindling tourism momentum. This new initiative is aimed at encouraging community members to stay informed on the latest offerings in Louisville and act as brand stewards by sharing their passion for the city with others.
There are individual and corporate tiers for business professionals seeking hospitality industry-related education and programming. Topics will include professional development, DEI, Bourbon history, personal branding and more. Members will have access to exclusive events, grand openings, Bourbon tastings and sneak peeks with new city attractions and restaurants, as well as exclusive networking opportunities with key hospitality industry leaders.
The 2019 Louisville Visitor Profile conducted by Destination Analysts shows that visitors are seeking museums, dining, bourbon tastings, and distillery tours as the top activities while in town.
OAKLAND STEPS OUT ON THE VEGAN TRAIL
Oakland Vegan Trail is the first destination in the nation to feature this kind of trail (with menus and a map, too). More than 20 vegan restaurants are dotted around town, offering plant-based Filipino to Mexican to Ethiopian and everything in between.
President & CEO, Peter Gamez appeared on the local news along with Imani Greer, Chef & Owner of Oakland’s own Roasted and Raw, to talk about vegan vs. vegetarian and to make a few tasty dishes.
REVIVAL: NYC BROADWAY WEEK
Curtain up. “For the first time since 2019, NYC & Company announced the return of the fall edition of NYC Broadway Week, which allows guests to purchase two tickets for the price of one on select Broadway shows for the duration of the deal. This year marks the 11th edition of the biannual program, which is coming back early this fall for shows from September 6 through September 25,” said Janette Roush, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Digital at NYC & Company.
“Since its launch in 2011, NYC Broadway Week has offered visitors and locals alike the world’s best theatrical experiences at a remarkable value,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “After a three-year hiatus, we are proud to bring the fall edition of our signature Broadway Week program back to audiences.”
Since its launch, NYC Broadway Week has sold more than 1,900,000 tickets, generating over $100 million in revenue.
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