Happy Holidays from JCVB
For all the wonderful friends and partners we work with throughout the year to promote Johnston County as a destination, thank you. We couldn’t do what we do without your support and the services you provide for visitors. Whether you own a hotel, organize a festival, give tours at heritage sites or museums, display art or perform on stage, offer deals on retail, outlets or antiques, manufacture local products, offer farm tours, or serve a meal…you are the Johnston County visitor industry. You deliver the real visitor experience that defines and brands Johnston County.
From the staff of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau: Donna, Shelia, Eric, Angel and Amanda, we hope you enjoy some good home cooking with family and friends over the Holidays and we look forward to working with you in 2009!
http://www.johnstoncountync.org/09_christmas/jcvb_card.html
SEGWAY TOURS ARRIVE AT HOWELL WOODS
Tarheel Adventures Segway Tour
“We provide every participant with individualized training, a safety briefing, a helmet, and a wireless earpiece”, said Neal Davis. “The earpiece enables the tour guide to be in continuous communication with the group as they listen to interesting facts about this marvelous wildlife habitat, all while gliding effortlessly on their own Segway PT.” Davis added, “We combine learning with a lot of fun!”
In addition to the public tours, customized private and group tours are also available. James Sasser, Howell Woods Director and Wildlife Biologist noted, “Our mission is to make Howell Woods accessible to the public while also protecting the property from user impact damage. The Segway PT is the perfect vehicle to enable this.”
“Because the Segway PT is so quiet, people often sneak up on wildlife they wouldn’t usually see,” he added. “The off-road version of the Segway that’s used here enables participants to ford streams and venture into places that make the experience especially fun.”
Davis, now semi-retired, is a native North Carolinian who grew up an avid outdoorsman and hunter. “There’s simply nothing like it. I am thrilled to partner with the College to provide this unique and fun experience,” he said.
SAVE THE DATES! March 1-3, 2009
Mark your calendars! The 2009 North Carolina Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism will be held March 1-3 at the new Raleigh Convention Center and Marriott City Center.
This is your opportunity to strategize with more than 500 of the state’s lodging, restaurant and tourism leaders on ways we can work together to turn more tables, and put more heads in beds during this coming year!
Plus, for the first time ever, leaders of the restaurant and lodging industry have partnered with the NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development to add a day of industry-specific educational seminars to this popular annual conference.
You’ll find effective strategies to succeed in a down economy; learn the latest strategies in this new age of marketing and communication; engage in the key policy issues facing our industry; hear local marketing ideas; arm yourself with updates on the latest travel trends; and gain insight from a health department forum.
Watch for additional information and registration details soon! In the meantime, you can get a glimpse of what’s in store by visiting http://www.nccommerce.com/tourism/governorsconference.
Note: Limited exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are available! Contact NCRLA President CEO Paul Stone at (800) 582-8750.
Smithfield Art Venue Opens After Ava Film Festival
As a result of the successful Ava Gardner Film Festival, local artists began a grassroots effort to bring an art gallery and venue for showing independent films year-round to Smithfield. The River City Arts (RCA) opened this November in Downtown Smithfield at 109 S. Third Street.
RCA will be a multi-purpose space offering an art gallery, art exhibition space, a micro-cinema, a live music and performing venue, and a location for teaching and learning about the arts.
Each Month, RCA participates in “THIRD ON THIRD”, much like First Friday in Raleigh, or 4th Friday in Charlotte. THIRD ON THIRD is a time for openings and receptions for Art Exhibitions, Art Events and a variety of activities. For more information visit, http://www.myspace.com/RiverCityArts
Country Music Showcase Sponsors Food Drive
245 College Road 919.209.2180
Smithfield, NC 27577 elamd@johnstoncc.edu
www.johnstoncc.edu
NEWS RELEASE
Date: November 19, 2008
Contact: Debbie Elam
Telephone: 919.209.2180
E-mail: elamd@johnstoncc.edu
(Smithfield, NC) – News reports indicate that while the request for food from area food banks is up, donations are down by 30%. The Johnston Community College Country Music Showcase wants to help feed those in need and have pledged their support by sponsoring a food drive.
The drive runs from December 1 through December 15. Drop off can goods and non-perishable food items to the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium lobby Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or during the Country Music Showcase shows. The auditorium is located on the Smithfield campus of Johnston Community College. Items donated will be distributed by the Smithfield Area Ministries food closet.
The Country Music Showcase runs December 4th, 5th and 6th at 7 pm with a 2:00 pm matinee on the 6th and a 3:00 pm matinee on Dec. 7th. Individual tickets for the Christmas shows are $12. Tickets can be purchased at the JCC Box Office or by calling 919-209-2099 Monday through Friday from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
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THE SUPER BOWL OF SHOPPING!
Plan on visiting Smithfield for the after Thanksgiving Weekend Sale, featuring a Midnight Madness Sale At Carolina Premium Outlets.
WHAT: The 8th Annual Midnight Madness Shopping event has been called the “Super Bowl of Shopping”. At the stoke of Midnight Thanksgiving Night, November 27 the Madness will begin again. It is not for the faint of heart, it takes stamina to shop all night and unearth all the bargains.
Here are a few examples of the savings customers can find around Carolina Premium Outlets beginning at Midnight:
Adidas –30% off entire store
Aeropostale – 50% off entire store
Banana Republic Factory Store– 40% off entire store
Brooks Brothers Factory Store – 20% off entire purchase
Gymboree – 25% off entire purchase
Harry & David – 25% off entire store
Jones New York- 50% off one item
Nautica – 20% off entire purchase
Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store – 20% off $150 or more
Tommy Hilfiger – 40% off entire store
WHEN: Midnight, November 27 (Thanksgiving Night). Additional Holiday hours are 9am-pm Monday-Saturday and Sunday 10 am-7pm until December 31.
WHERE: Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield. Conveniently located just off I-95, exit 95 at 1025 Industrial Park Dr.
Carolina Premium Outlets is home to over 80 designer and brand name outlet stores with everyday savings of 25-65%. Gift Cards are available at the shopping center or from the website at www.premiumoutlets.com/carolina. They are available at the Information Center during all center hours and may be redeemed at any store in our Center.
CONTACT: Linda Crowder, Carolina Premium Outlets at 919-989-8757.
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Job Opportunity at JCVB
Life is a series of changes and challenges…didn’t I just say that in my last blog?
Angie Abrams, our Sales Manager at the Visitors Bureau has taken another job opportunity with the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau. We wish her well at her new job and we now embark on our quest to fill the open position here at JCVB.
With this opening, we are taking the opportunity to revise some of the job duties to include more marketing and publicity such as e-marketing and developing leisure marketing campaigns. The job description can be found on the JCVB web site, www.johnstoncountync.org under the About JCVB section.
Sales & Marketing Manager job announcement:
The Johnston County Visitors Bureau in Smithfield, has an immediate full-time opening for a Sales & Marketing Manager. Candidate performs sales and marketing activities that promote Johnston County tourism to meeting planners, group tour operators and the leisure travel market. Position handles e-marketing and publicity campaigns, database management, recruiting and supervising volunteers, and liaison efforts to the local tourism industry including distribution of print materials and event services.
Requirements: 4-year degree, three years work experience in tourism related field, CVB experience a plus. Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to travel, working nights and weekends.
Application available online at www.johnstoncountync.org
Closing date: 11/17/08
We look forward to the next chapter at JCVB and welcoming someone new to our team! We work hard here and have a huge task to represent not only Johnston County tourism, but individual marketing efforts for the Towns of Smithfield, Selma, Kenly and Benson. Life is never dull and boring that is for sure.
Life is a series of changes and challenges
Being a military brat and changing schools every 12-18 months, I learned what it was like to always be the “new kid” . I learned to adapt to change early in life and some people may consider it a strength that I can accept “moving on” as part of life’s journey. But now that I am older, when others in my life move on, I find that I miss their friendship and I find it hard to keep in touch since we all have such busy lives.
This October, the Johnston County Tourism Authority will say farewell to four Board Members who have served 3 to 6 years helping the Visitors Bureau promote tourism in the county. I just wanted to utilize this forum to thank them for their years of volunteer service to the Johnston County Visitors Bureau and to say how much I will miss their guidance and support.
Marcia Woodall, of DeWayne’s Home & Garden Showplace has served three years and leaves to tend to the demands of her job as Marketing Director of DeWayne’s. Becky Brannon of the Royal Inn in Selma has served three years and resigns to handle the operation of the hotel. Ruth Woodall, retired owner of American Classic Charters, has completed her term and she now volunteers at Johnston Medical Center. Debbie Elam, Johnston Community College, Country Music Showcase has fulfilled her term representing the Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce.
Each of these board members has brought years of experience, support and passion for the county’s tourism growth and again, you will be missed.
If you feel that volunteering with the Johnston County Tourism Authority is something you might be interested in, please feel free to contact us at 919-989-8687 for more information. Not only do we have board positions open up on occasion, but we are in need of volunteers to work in the office, especially with database management. To learn more about the Visitors Bureau, visit our web site, www.johnstoncountync.org
Johnston County Tourism Authority Awards Special Event Grants
(Smithfield, NC) The Johnston County Tourism Authority held its monthly meeting, September 3, and disbursed $15,000 in Special Event Grants to help market the county’s events to visitors. For over 20 years, the Visitors Bureau has supported tourism development and marketing for events and festivals with a grants program.
The Tourism Authority reaches out to all corners of the county supporting local community events to bring awareness to area groups hosting events such as the Archer’s Lodge, Bentonville and McGee’s Crossroads Communities.
The following is a list of grants awarded for 2008-2009.
Town of Benson received the following grants: Benson Mule Days, $1,000; Sundown in Downtown Concerts, $250; Benson Parks & Recreation Department, 4th of July, $250; Benson Singing Convention, $500; Downtown Benson Cinema Nights, $250.
Town of Clayton received the following grants: Clayton Chamber Harvest Festival, $750; Clayton Development Foundation Town Square Concerts, $250; Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation, Cherryholmes, $250 and Southern Fried Chicks, $250; Clayton Youth Theatre, Bye Bye Birdie, $250.
The Cleveland Community, I-40, Exit 312, recieved two grants for the Cleveland Area Chamber of Commerce, Strawberry Festival, $500 and Celebrate Cleveland 4th of July, $250.
The Town of Four Oaks recieved the following grants: The Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce, Oaktober Fest, $250 and Four Oaks Acorn Festival, $500.
The Town of Kenly received the following grants: Kenly Chamber of Commerce, Krusin’ Kenly, $500; Tobacco Farm Life Museum received grants for the Fall Heritage Day, $500 and Anniversary Event, $500.
Town of Selma received the following grants: Selma Development Partnership, East Coast Antique Show, $250 and Selma Car Classic, $250; Selma Parks & Recreation, Selma Railroad Days, $750 and All American 4th of July, $250.
Town of Smithfield received the following grants: Johnston Community College Arboretum, Southern Gardens, $250; JCC Country Music Showcase, $500; Ava Gardner Museum Film Festival, $250; Downtown Smithfield Development, Ham & Yam Festival, $1000; Downtown Smithfield 4th of July, $250; Neuse Little Theatre, The Miracle Worker, $250; Smithfield Parks & Recreation, Halloween Egg Hunt, $250 and Movie Nights, $250.
The Town of Wilson’s Mills Parks & Recreation Department received $250 for the Pumpkin Festival held each October.
The Town of Pine Level received $250 for their July 4th celebration and the Town of Princeton received $250 for the Annual Veteran’s Day event.
Other county wide organizations or community groups receiving grants were: Archer Lodge Family Fun Day, 4th of July, $250; Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Anniversary Event, $500; Coats Museum of Local History, McGee’s Crossroads, 4th of July, $250; Johnston County Arts Council, Short Circuit Film Festival, $250 and The Big Read, $500; Southern Johnston Baseball Association, SJ Invitational, $250 and Tarheel Dist V Tournament, $250.
For more information on these county events, visit the Johnston County Visitors Bureau web site, www.johnstoncountync.org
“Paw-B-Que” and “Purr-fect Sweet Tea” available at Johnston County Animal Services Open House, Sept. 13
(Smithfield, NC) - Johnston County Animal Services will be hosting an open house on Saturday, September 13th from 10am-4pm, and the event is open to the public with all activities free of charge.
The Animal Shelter is always in need of basic items to care for the animals that they have taken in. If you are coming out to the Open House, bring a bag of Kitty Litter, Laundry detergent, bleach, dog or cat treats and in return you can get a FREE “Paw-B-Que” sandwich and some “Purr-fect Sweet Tea!”. Support from Chick-fil-a and Parker’s Barbecue have made this fun activity possible.
The Johnston County Visitors Bureau has partnered with Animal Services to help raise funds for the Friends of Johnston County Animal Shelter, a 501 (c) 3 organization. The Visitors Bureau will raffle a gift basket of wonderful gifts and services for pets and pet owners with a value well over $300, by selling $5 tickets the day of the open house.
Items donated for the basket include: Ceramic Pet Food bowl and Doggie Cologne from Sweet Paws, $100 gift certificate for Photography by Heidi Wood, Clayton, Dog collar and leash from Martha’s Farm and Garden Supply, $50 Gift Certificate to Texas Steakhouse and Saloon, 60 minute Relaxation Massage, by Massage Therapist Heather Looney at the Dupree House Day Spa, Jar of Blackberry Preserves from the Smithfield Ham Shop, Bottle of Wine and Two wine glasses from Hinnant Family Vineyards and Winery, Two tickets to the American Music Jubilee Show at the Rudy Theatre in Selma, Pets Supplies from Johnston Animal Hospital and Willowrun Veterinary Hospital and pet bed, food bowls, pets toys from Pet Smart.
Not only can visitors to the event enjoy barbecue and sweet tea and get a chance to win the gift basket, but there will be a host of events and services for your pet. Here are just a few of the day’s planned activities:
- US Equine Rescue League will have horses on display as well as demonstrations with the horses.
- Johnston County Animal Protection League will be having a “Dog-Wash” $7 for the first dog, and $5 for the second dog with $5 nail trimmings.
- Pony rides for the children
- DJ with Live Music all day, provided by Langston Productions from Four Oaks.
- Celebrating World Rabies Day- Bring out your dog or cat for $5 rabies shots.
- Micro-chipping sponsored by the American Kennel Club for $10
- Appearance by NCSU’s Ms. Wuf from 11:30-1pm
- Other vendors scheduled to be at the Open House are Tupperware, Big Dogs Outlet Store, Ask a Vet table, Groomers will be on hand to answer questions, Saving Grace Pet Rescue, and Reins from Above
The staffs of the Animal Shelter and the Visitors Bureau invite you to come see your Animal Shelter in Johnston County, Saturday, September 13, 10am-4pm at 1320 N. Bright Leaf Blvd. Smithfield. Tours will be available as well as pet adoptions! Monetary donations are always accepted by the Friends of the Johnston County Animal Shelter, which is the 501 (c) 3, for the Animal Shelter. For more information on the day’s events, contact Ernie Wilkinson at 919-934-8474.
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