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September 27, 2018 A biweekly newsletter from HCTDA

Hurricane Florence The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority would like to thank the community for being so welcoming to the hurricane Florence evacuees that visited Henderson County two weeks ago. It was a nerve-racking time for the evacuees to leave their homes and belongings behind and hope for the best. Many Western North Carolina roads, highways, restaurants, attractions, and accommodations were already packed, with the first week of the World Equestrian Games underway in Tryon. People came to Hendersonville from the towns along the North & South Carolina coast. State officials issued mandatory evacuations for residents and non-residents in many of these areas, so thousands headed to higher ground for safety and refuge. The Henderson County accommodation owners and managers played a big role in helping the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority find lodging for everyone. The online Room Availability Report on the Henderson County TDA’s web site, visithendersonvillenc.org, is used as a tool for travelers looking for accommodations. We would like to thank the properties that kept the Room Report current with their vacancy status; this saved the staff time and energy in the search for openings. The weary travelers had been sitting in slow moving traffic for hours and were most appreciative for the assistance in locating a place to stay, even if it were only for a day or two. Hurricane Florence also displaced many people that were on vacation that had to abruptly change their travel plans and head to the mountains instead of the coast. HCTDA was contacted by VisitNC, which is a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, to enter room vacancies into their system for the North Carolina Tourism Call Center to use in fielding calls for evacuees. Henderson County Emergency Management also requested information about lodging in the area for the County’s readiness plan and if a shelter needed to be opened. The TDA’s online program is a great way to get the word out be room vacancies at a moment’s notice. The public is able to view the rooms that are available from the palm of their hand on a daily basis, https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/room-availability. If your property has not joined the program and needs to set-up an account, contact Karen Baker at kbaker@visithendersonvillenc.org

Hendersonville Rewards Card has Arrived The HCTDA Rewards Cards has returned bigger and better as an annual program. The Card is valid now through – August 31, 2019 and is available at the Visitor Center. At the bottom of the Rewards Card rack card there is a perforated card to tear off for you to carry in your wallet to present at the point of purchase. Make sure you have a supply of cards to share with your guests visiting Hendersonville this fall. The card Is a great way to encourage repeat business during the shoulder season. If your business has not yet joined the program and would like to do so, contact Julie Hayes, HCTDAOutreach Coordinator, (828) 693-9708 or outreach@visithendersonvillenc.org Check the web site for a list of participating businesses and new additions or to order the Card online: https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/rewardscard

Tourism Tidbits

Rack Cards Needed The Visitor Center is running low on area rack cards. Your business may be missing out on potential customers. The Center accepts cards from Henderson County tourism related businesses such as: accommodations, attractions, events, activities, restaurants, and shopping. Come by the Visitor Center at 201 South Main Street, to talk with the staff about displaying your literature in the Center.

2018 Holiday Events The 2018 Home for the Holidays brochure has arrived at the Visitor Center. The brochure is packed with events and activities happening in Hendersonville this holiday season. Stop by the Visitor Center, 201 South Main Street, to pick-up a supply for your business. The month of October is a great time to get the brochure in the hands of your guests, that are beginning to plan family activities during the holiday season. Checkout the many other memory making events happening in the area. The brochure is available for download at: https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/wp-content/uploads/home-for-holidays-brochure-2018-.pdf

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Vote for USA Today’s Best Orchard Vote for Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in the 10 Best Orchards in the USA Today readers’ poll. Vote once a day until Tuesday, October 2 at Noon ET, https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-apple-orchard/stepps-hillcrest-orchard-hendersonville-n-c/ The winners will be announced on 10Best.com on Friday, October 12th. ...Vote Now

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Henderson County Secures ‘Crest of the Blue Ridge’ Trademark The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority recently completed the process to trademark “Crest of the Blue Ridge” for agritourism marketing. The TDA partnered with AgHC (Agribusiness Henderson County), local apple growers, cideries and wineries to come up with the name and secure the trademark. Now that it is secured, “Crest of the Blue Ridge” will be used by the Henderson County TDA and local producers in marketing Hendersonville as an agritourism destination. The TDA will also serve as the watchdog to ensure that no businesses or individuals use the trademark without approval. “We felt it was important to have this specific agricultural area designated,” says Beth Carden, executive director of the Henderson County TDA. “As agritourism has grown in our area, it’s become an important part of what we do, so we wanted to recognize its role in bringing tourism to our region.” Henderson County’s wine industry is in the process of obtaining a federal designation as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Each AVA is defined by geography and communicates certain location-specific qualities — such as elevation, climate and soil — to wine consumers. North Carolina currently has five federally designated AVAs. In its application for a federal AVA designation, the local wine industry submitted “Crest of the Blue Ridge” as its preferred name. To learn more about the “Crest of the Blue Ridge” trademark and agritourism marketing efforts, call the Henderson County TDA at (828) 693-9708.

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Contact Us 201 S. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792

(828) 693-9708 tourism@visithendersonvillenc.org Fax (828) 697-4996 www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org Facebook.com/VisitHendersonvilleNC

HCTDA Upcoming Events October 11 Tourism After Five

October 23 HCTDA Board Meeting

October 25 Group Sales Forum

November 1 3rd Henderson County

5-7:00 pm 1:00 pm 11:00 am FAM Tour Aquarium & Shark Lab 511 N. Main St.

Visitor Center 201 S. Main Street

Visitor Center 201 S. Main Street

8:30am-5pm

Welcome Two New Additions to the TDA Staff Melanie Black

Melanie Black is the Communications Coordinator for HCTDA where she helps to promote tourism in the county through social media, as well as email and traditional marketing. Melanie came from the nonprofit sector, having worked for Special Olympics New Jersey and Special Olympics North Carolina, and has strengths in service, teamwork, graphic and publication design, photography, and writing. As a transplant to Western NC, Melanie loves learning more about her adopted hometown, Henderson County. She spends her free time exploring, hiking with her dog, experimenting with fermented foods, gardening, practicing yoga and chasing her chickens around the yard. Melanie graduated with honors from Rider University, majoring in both Public Relations and American Studies.

Bailey Dalton Bailey Dalton is the Events Coordinator for HCTDA, her projects include Garden Jubilee, Music on Main, Monday Night Live and the Street Dances. She will also, be working with organizations and businesses in cultivating existing events and creating new ones throughout the year. Bailey gained experience with event coordinating at Bold Rock Mills River and is passionate about all that Hendersonville has to offer. She enjoys fishing, gardening, and going on adventures in her free time. Bailey is a proud native of Hendersonville and graduated from North Henderson High School. She majored in Art Management and Business at Appalachian State University.

Tourism After Five The next Tourism After Five is scheduled for Thursday, October 11 at the Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO, located at 511 North Main Street, from 5-7pm. The Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO is listed as the first inland aquarium in NC. It is home to more than 275 animals, displayed in over 24 exhibits. The sharks are the main focus of study, and recently opened, a 2,000-gallon shark study tank. This is a great opportunity to meet other people in the Henderson County tourism industry and to see first-hand what The Aquarium has to offer. Please call the Visitors Center to RSVP, 693-9708 or email Julie Hayes, outreach@visithendersonvillenc.org

Media Spotlight

Ø Southern Living Newletter - Hendersonville is the Apple of North Carolina’s Eye Ø Southern Living Traveler – 11 Mountain Girlfriend Getaways This Fall

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/girls-weekend-mountain-getaways?iid=NL_SouthernTraveler_09112018&utm_source=southernliving.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=traveler&utm_content=2018091112PM

Ø East Alabama Living - Getaway to Hendersonville in the fall issue

Ø SouthPark Magazine in Charlotte - http://www.southparkmagazine.com/apples-to-apples/ Ø 919 Magazine in Raleigh region - http://issuu.com/dreamlakemedia/docs/092018-wake/46?e=5102412/64554409 Ø Guest Quest Traveler Vacation Guide - http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1112785748305&ca=579dc011-ae72-499f-9d4b-696761023080 Ø CarolinaLiving.com