Washington State is handing out free marijuana with Covid-19 vaccinations because, why not? NPR reports that, ‘”Joints for Jabs,’ runs until July 12 and allows state-licensed dispensaries to give qualifying customers one pre-rolled joint at an in-store vaccination clinic.” An ABC news video reel here.
The program is run by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, which also “announced an incentive that allows breweries, wineries, and restaurants to offer free drinks to vaccinated adults.” There are more weed initiatives in other locations: Arizona‘s “Snax for Vaxx” campaign provides free joints and gummy edibles. In Washington, D.C., a cannabis advocacy group distributed joints at vaccination sites on April 20.
Its working title is: “The Official NYC Homecoming Concert in Central Park.” New York City is planning a mega-concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park, tentatively planned for August 21. Mayor de Blasio has called on the music producer guru, 89-year-old Clive Davis, to pull the all-star headliner acts together. It is likely that 60,000 people will attend in person and the three-hour concert will be streamed live on television as well. Sponsorship deals are in the works. Source: NYT
San Francisco may be the first American city “to reach the much-vaunted status of ‘herd immunity…'” say experts. This occurs when a significant percentage of the overall population is immune either through vaccination or from surviving a previous infection. People without immunity to a disease are indirectly protected by herd immunity. Source: The Guardian
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau is launching a $600K campaign, “Meet the Moment,” targeting meeting planners in key markets throughout the mid-Atlantic drive corridor.
“Our ads are hitting on digital platforms, and we will be positioning Philadelphia all summer long,” said Joe Heller, VP Marketing & Communications. “And we hope to be able to see an uptick in activity as far as our calls with people testing the waters.”
“Meet the Moment” campaign is supported by email and print communications plus in-person marketing efforts by sales staff.
ABC8.com screen shot from an interview)
In July, San Diego Tourism Authority will debut an $8 million marketing campaign running through 2021. Targeted largely on Western USA, the theme is “Happiness is calling you back,” with advertising on digital platforms, social media, broadcast and online television.
Kerri Kapich, COO, reported last week to San Diego City Council members, “It won’t be until 2025 when we will see a return to average daily rates. So as we have a very competitive market, much like what happened post 9/11, it takes time for all sectors of the tourism economy to return. Right now, we’re very dependent on leisure travel, and as we are able to see meetings and conventions, corporate travel, and international travel return, that is what will drive the revenues for the industry.”
Twenty-five of the world’s best skateboarders will meet in Jacksonville, Florida for the inaugural Street League Skateboard Championship, expected to draw 6,000 spectators in November. Duval County Tourist Development Council has agreed $175,000 in support from the city’s bed tax collections. Kona Skatepark (est. 1977) claims the world’s oldest operating skatepark from the Guinness Book of World Records.
In Alaska, the future of Travel Juneau, founded 35 years ago, is under discussion as the local assembly voted that the city’s arrangement with the DMO should move to a competitive bid. In local news coverage, President & CEO Liz Perry pointed out a “track record of bringing independent travelers and meetings to our community, and has long-standing relationships with media, meeting planners, travel agents and group tour operators.”
Visit Duluth is in the midst of an RFP process with their City…and news out of Juneau AK indicates that its DMO will be facing a similar gauntlet.” — Read an opinion from Bill Geist, “The Folly of Fair,” 6/10/2021.
::: Bullet Point News Bites :::
- The CDC has created an updated and simplified mask guideline chart.
- Some National Parks are closing their gates by 9 a.m., tweeting out “we’re full.” Others have two-hour lines.
- TSA throughput passenger count topped 2 million last Sunday for the first time since pandemic hit.
- U.K. has extended Covid lockdown, pushing out the planned re-opening date from June 21 to July 19.
- American Express CEO says in May, U.S. travel bookings reached 95% of 2019 levels, dining at 85%.
