SACVB From the Heart Newsletter
visitsanantonio.com Welcome to the latest edition of the SACVB Newsletter: From The Heart, a collaborative effort between the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Convention, Sports and Entertainment Facilities. Please enjoy and send any feedback to communityrelations@visitsanantonio.com.



MONTHLY MEASURE

Click here for the latest Monthly Measure, an executive summary of the recent performance activity from the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. Detailed information includes several local and national industry barometers.

SACVB DEBUTS IMPROVED WEBSITE

visitsanantonio.com

The newly improved Visitsanantonio.com now provides visitor-friendly navigation and tailored content to visitors who live in a city with a direct flight to San Antonio. If someone from Denver visits the website, they will be greeted with a picturesque River Walk image and the headline “It’s a direct flight from Denver. Then a slow cruise.”  Providing relevant content and tailored service to customers will in turn result in increased online requests of the Travel & Leisure Guide. The multi-page glossy printed brochure is the SACVB’s main fulfillment piece for consumers requesting San Antonio vacation information. 49% of travelers who receive a guide make a leisure trip to San Antonio.

The SACVB incorporated several realms of research in developing this new strategy (consumer studies, image studies, research analyzing best practices to convert marketing programs and collateral to room nights in San Antonio, for example). The organization also enlisted the expertise of digital marketing partner VM Foundry and GetSmartContent.com.

While it presents tailored data to visitors based on previous visits to the website or their location, the new approach does not gather personal information.


SUMMER TOURISM UPDATE

Scott White, SACVB Executive Director, presents an update on summer tourism and the months ahead at the next SAHLA Luncheon at the Club at Sonterra on Wednesday, August 26. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon. After lunch, guests will be treated to a tour of the facility and the golf course. Click here for reservations.

 

EMBRACE BRAC SAN ANTONIO

embraceBRAC San Antonio prepares to receive some 10,000 families, a five-star medical complex, and an economic benefit of more than $5 billion with the San Antonio Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC). The military's move boosts the job market and strengthen several sectors of our economy including bioscience, security, technology, and education.

Last month, the City of San Antonio launched the Embrace BRAC San Antonio public awareness campaign, a multimedia communications effort aimed at creating greater local awareness about the opportunities presented by the multi-billion-dollar military realignment project happening in San Antonio. The campaign includes military “thank you” events, billboards and public service announcements featuring Mayor Castro, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich and military personnel. The campaign also includes an interactive website with information on schools, local government and jobs, as well as, highlight the city’s culture, entertainment venues and nightlife.

For more information, visit www.embracebrac.org.

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SUMMER PUSH

The SACVB Marketing department implemented a few changes and updates in July to give an extra push to summer travel.

  • A search engine marketing campaign that is driving traffic to the Hotel Package section of the website was extended through August.
  • Four themed online display advertising campaigns are running on the AdReady network focusing on Google, Yahoo, travel focus sites, and Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston local media sites. The themes are Affordable Family Vacations, Romantic Getaway, Summer Cool in San Antonio, City Escape. Calls to action include request a Travel & Leisure Guide, sign up for e-mail, download coupons, watch a video, select hotel packages.
  • A campaign with Expedia was extended through August, and new campaigns were implemented with Online Travel Agents Orbitz and Travelocity.
  • Integrated campaigns that include radio spots, local promotions, and online exposure are running in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston markets.
  • San Antonio 30 second commercial runs every hour through September on a Super Screen in Times Square.

New Videos
Six new themed videos were added to visitsanantonio.com and YouTube: Romance & Relaxation, Texas-Sized Thrills, Authentic Culture, From Tees to Tip-Off, City Nature & Hill Country and San Antonio Overview. They add more engaging, rich media to our site. Click here to access the videos.

New Travel & Leisure Guide
2009 Travel & Leisure GuideThe new edition of the Travel & Leisure Guide is in the market and will be posted on the website soon. This guide includes articles and imagery that promote the richness and beauty of San Antonio to consumers who request travel information. As per the 2008 Conversion Study, 49% of consumers who receive this guide make a trip to San Antonio; over 300,000 guides are distributed.

In the Heart Meetings
A new brand positioning, adapted for the Meetings & Conventions market, distinguishes San Antonio as a top-choice meeting destination and identifies unique attributes that San Antonio offers group meeting decision makers and attendees. This market positioning--"In the Heart Meetings"--is aligned with the overall CVB brand positioning "Deep. In the Heart." It unifies San Antonio hospitality providers and promotes a "one voice, one vision" service to meeting professionals. Based on the commitment of consistently delivering outcomes that are proactive, productive, playful and prudent, "In the Heart Meetings" promises clients, potential clients and meeting attendees a personalized, genuine and rich San Antonio experience. In addition, knowing that those who experience San Antonio first-hand develop a positive connection with the city, the CVB has incorporated a strong offer into this initiative. The "In the Heart Visit" offer provides qualified meeting professionals an expense-paid, customized site visit to San Antonio.

In the Heart Meetings is currently being marketed through print advertising, website, digital postcards, direct mail, and online display ads.

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TODAY IN SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio dazzled on the NBC Today Show’s special series “Today Takes a Vacation.” July 29, it was back-to-back San Antonio live from the River Walk with celebrity anchors Kathie Lee and Hoda, on the nation’s most watched morning show. All told, our city received more than an hour of exposure in the U.S. and Canada, with segments sprinkled throughout the 4 hour show to an audience of 39 million.

The CVB’s Communications team worked intensely with producers for months, and the result was a win/win for all of San Antonio. Culture, cuisine, performing and visual arts, heritage, history, shopping, and other assets were woven into the production. “We really wanted the visual take-away to convey the deep history of San Antonio, along with our year-round fun, festive spirit and warmth of our people,” said Dee Dee Poteete, Director of Communications. Some 20 producers and technical staff from NBC New York spent three days in San Antonio ramping up for the live broadcast.

Appreciation to more than 500 audience members who lined the Arneson River Theater, some as early at 4 a.m. Rio San Antonio cruisers floated by with members of the Armed Forces and fans. Country and western star Lee Ann Womack entertained, but San Antonio was the real star. The media value of the exposure for our City was $3.4M (advance promos starting July 24, and the July 29 live show). The SACVB deeply appreciates the passion of the local audience, and the partnership and teamwork of all who made this a success!

Armed Forces from Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB & Lackland AFB.
Bandera CVB
Boudro’s
Blanca Aldaco-Aldaco’s/Aldaco’s at Stone Oak
Campanas de America
Cavenders
CE Group
COSA Downtown Operations
COSA Parks & Recreation
COSA Police Department
Dashiell House / Little Rhein Steakhouse / Fig Tree
Dixie Dude Ranch
Don Strange
Fire Departments (City of San Antonio, Bexar-Bulverde, New Braunfels, Bexar County, Universal City)
Fr. David Garcia / San Antonio Missions
Frank Fisher Animals
Gini Garcia / Garcia Art Glass
Gruene Hall
Guadalupe Dance Company/Guadalupe Cultural Art Center
Hilton Palacio del Rio
Jason Dady - Two Bros. BBQ Market
Julian Gold
Lucchese
Michael Cortez – Mi Tierra
Nordstrom
Paris Hatters
Patty's Creations
Penner's
Rio San Antonio Cruises
RK Group
Sue Weber Productions
Texas Lady Boutique
The Ranch At The Rim
Westin River Walk
WOAI-TV and Clear Channel

….and all who helped make this happen for San Antonio!

Please click here to see an edited version of some of the show’s highlights.

Also, a photo gallery is available online.

Hoda & Kathie Lee on the River Walk

Campanas de America serenade Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford for their grand entrance to the Arneson River Theatre.

Today Show BBQ with Chef Jason Dady

Chef Jason Dady shares his barbecue tips with the Today Show hosts.

 

TEXAS ON TOUR ROLLS INTO CHICAGO

SACVB Media Relations Manager Tonya Hope along with Sea World's Animal Ambassadors and partners from Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington traveled to Chicago's Navy Pier for Texas on Tour. The tour is a high-tech, interactive traveling roadshow that goes from city to city educating consumers, media and meeting planners about Texas and what makes San Antonio so unique.

Texas On Tour

From left: Robert Trejo, Sea World San Antonio; Tonya Hope, SACVB; Margo Richards, Texas Tourism - Austin; Paige Newman, Sea World San Antonio.



UPSCALE JAPANESE PUBS TOUR RIVER EXTENSION

A journalist and photographer representing Royal Road and Azur magazines from Japan stopped by San Antonio during their tour of Texas. They especially enjoyed the new River Walk extension via river cruiser and photographing San Antonio’s romantic sides for their upscale publications. Special thanks to the St. Anthony Hotel for hosting.

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DIVERSIFYING TARGET SECTORS

For the last few years the CVB has been diversifying our target sectors in Mexico, so in addition to the ever popular "shopping" we're also focusing on golf, medical, meetings, regional experiences to include the wineries and more. The approach has been integrated and includes the following.

Advertising
This year's media plan includes DIVERSION, this magazine targets physicians, it's primarily a leisure publication for physicians, and combines leisure and medical articles. It's circulation also includes all the pharmaceutical and medical ancillary companies and organizations.

Public Relations
We're targeting publications like DIVERSION and others focused on meetings, incentive and business travel for site visits, FAMS and media calls. Diversion has published several editorials in the last 4 years as have others including EXPANSION, a leading business publication in Mexico.

The CVB hosted a media FAM in June that included two publishing companies and combined they have 6 magazines targeting meetings, incentive and business travel.

  • MDC - Mercado de Conventions
  • Golf and Spa ( editorial content includes incentive travel)
  • MPD - Meeting Planning Directory
  • Mundo Ejecutivo
  • Golf Tournament
  • Mujer Ejecutiva
  • Mundo Traveller

Media Hosting

  • Enrique Eduardo Rosas Gamboa, Editor - Amura Magazíne
  • Ana Leticia Flores Hernández, photographer – Amura:
  • Maria Gabriela Martinez Torres, Journalist - Billionaire / Acur / Status / Luxe & Class
  • Shooka Shemirani, Editor - Boletín Turístico / Swishy Magazine
  • Luis Javier Díaz Montiel, Director - Editorial Televisa - Caras Golf
  • Alicia Boy, Freelance - Boy de Viaje, Blue & Blanc, Excelsior, Bon Voyage
  • Marco Antonio Pérez Arroyo, Subdirector Editorial - Grupo GW (Revista Elite)
  • Rogelio Alberto Gamundi Vázquez, Photographer - Grupo GW (Revista Elite.
  • Karen Chacek Saslavsky, Reporter - Travel & Leisure / Grupo Expansión
  • Mexico Travel Channel - La Casa de Lulu, a travel program produced in Guadalajara, and aired in 15 States throughout Southeast Mexico.
  • Recent articles published in Mexico showcase San Antonio as a diverse leisure destination as seen the current issue of InStyle Magazine in Mexico.

Frances Schultschik, SACVB, pictured below and left with Lulu from "La Casa De Lulu" of Mexico's Travel Channel.

La Casa de Lulu Interview

 

CVB's Frances Schultschik is pictured below with a group from a June FAM.

June Media FAM



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POW WOW MIAMI

The San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau and partners, attended US Travel Associations, International POW WOW in Miami, Florida.
One of the travel industry's largest show, it is devoted to promoting the US travel product to the international and domestic travel trade. We had 53 travel trade and 39 media appointments. In collaboration with the State Tourism office, Texas officially sponsored "Texas Tuesday" at the show. Sponsorship included a variety of signage and newsletter placements as well as hosting the lunch on Tuesday. Lunch opened with live music played by Asleep at the Wheel. In addition, more than 300 key travel trade and journalist attended the Texas evening event held at La Cote at the Fontainebleau Resort.

SACVB Team at POW WOW 2009

Pictured left to right: Donald Wearden, General Growth Management; Dorah Putney, Carla Norwood, Sal Garza, Tonya Hope, Scott White (SACVB staff); Jackie Contreras, Doubletree Hotel.

SACVB Tourism Team with Client at Pow Wow 2009

Ulrike Grube (3rd from left), Product Manager North America for FTI Touristik GmbH out of Munich, Germany is pictured with SACVB Tourism staff.


ACTIVE AMERICA

Over the dates of April 19 - 22 Tourism staff member, Carla Norwood, attended the 18th annual Active America Conference sponsored by North American Journeys in Banff, AB, Canada. This is a destination development conference for the Japan inbound tourism market that brings together top Japanese tour operators with invited suppliers and destinations to develop new tour opportunities.

Active America

Pictured left to right are Sofia Williamson, North American Journeys staff; Tetsuro Koda, Pacific Inc; Jake Steinman, North American Journeys staff and Carla Norwood, SACVB staff.


AAA DALLAS AND HOUSTON SALES CALLS

Our "drive" market is extremely important to our partners and AAA Dallas and Houston are our strongest partners in this market segment. We visited all 10 offices in Dallas and all 7 offices in Houston in April and May. The Tourism Department plans sales calls to AAA each Spring and Fall and have plans for Spring 2010 to host a mini trade show with hotel and attraction partners. If you are interested in participating, please contact Sandy Phillips at (210) 207-6807.



TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP - ANNUAL TAP DANCE

The only way to participate in the Travel Alliance Partnership's annual TAP Dance is to be invited. This year was the first opportunity for the San Antonio CVB to attend this event which was held in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Travel Alliance Partnership consists of 34 tour operators located throughout the United States that help promote current tours, sell into guaranteed departure tours, and develop new itineraries to invited destinations. This group of tour operators are dedicated to promoting the invited destinations and we are looking forward to a very productive partnership.



MAYFLOWER TOURS TRAVEL LUNCHEON - CHICAGO

This June we attended the Mayflower Tours Travel Luncheon held in Chicago. This event was attended by over 200 area travel agents interested in our area as a destination for their groups. We were asked to attend and promote Mayflower Tour's Annual Fiesta tour which is a favorite out of the Chicago area.



TEXAS BANDMASTER'S ASSOCIATIONS ANNUAL RECEPTION


The Tourism Department along with 17 partner sponsors hosted the Annual Reception for Tour Operators attending the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention. The event was held at the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and was attended by over 50 attendees. This event is traditionally held the first night of the convention and the attendees always enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and networking with our area partners.



STUDENT YOUTH TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

The SYTA Conference will be held the end of August in Norfolk, Virginia. This show concentrates on the Student Youth market that is so important to our city. The five day conference is a great opportunity to meet and network with tour operators specializing in student and youth tours and develop relationships that will continue to encourage tours to our great destination.


AUSTRIAN GOLF OPERATORS VISIT S.A.Golfen Magazine

Paul Clare, Product Development Manager, TGR-Golfreisen GmbH and Evelyn Gruber, Managing Director and also Chief Editor, Albrecht Golf Publications, Austria, were hosted by Carla Norwood, Tourism Sales Manager, while visiting San Antonio in March.

TGR-Golfreisen is Austria's largest golf tour operator selling only golf packages. The company has been serving upscale golfers with tailor made golf holidays around the world. They are most interested in developing golf packages here in San
Antonio. During their time in our city they experienced the Hyatt Hill Country Resort, Westin La Cantera Resort, Grand Hyatt, Westin Riverwalk, Silverhorn and Quarry Golf Courses, and toured the property of the JW Marriott. Thanks to our partners for courtesies provided.

TGR-Golfreisen

Pictured left to right: Carla Norwood, SACVB Tourism; Evelyn Gruber, Albrecht Golf Publications; Paul Clare, TGR-Golfreisen GmbH; Tonya Hope, SACVB Communications.

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Sales & Services

MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS SIGN FOR 2013

Bill Marriott and Cynthia BuffingtonAt this year’s Marriott Masters, Bill Marriott, Chairman of Marriott International signed a meeting contract with Mechanical Contractors Association of America on behalf of the soon-to-open JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.  MCAA selected the JW Marriott San Antonio to host their 124th Annual Meeting in March 2013.  Valued at 5300 room nights it is the largest meeting the resort has booked to date.  Mr. Marriott is pictured at left with MCAA’s Cynthia Buffington, Senior Executive Director and Jean Ramsey, Director of Association Sales, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.  The JW Marriott is scheduled to open in January 2010.


NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA

Mayor Castro & SACVB's Maria Arredondo at NCLR Summer 2009 Meeting in ChicagoThe SACVB represented by Steve Clanton and Maria Arredondo attended the 2009 National Council of La Raza in Chicago last month to promote attendance for the 2010 meeting here in San Antonio. Next year's conference is scheduled for July 10-13, 2010 at the Convention Center. Conference events included a Latino Expo USA and Health Fair, and a Texas Hospitality reception where Mayor Julian Castro (pictured right with SACVB's Maria Arredondo) invited NCLR members to San Antonio next summer. Local city leaders including Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros (pictured below) and her husband former Mayor Henry Cisneros were also in attendance.

Cisneros


SUMMER OF SHRINERS

Shriners International applauded the CVB calling their 2009 Imperial Council “one of the most memorable in recent years.” Michael C. Andrews, Executive Vice President of Shriners International, said CVB staff “are consummate professionals and I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for you all.” The Shriners held their annual session in San Antonio from July 5 - 9, 2009 with an estimated attendance of 6,000. One of their activities included a parade through downtown.



CHICAGO CLIENT EVENT


The SACVB and partners hosted 45 clients at the Chicago Cubs vs. Minnesota Twins game on June 12th. Though the Cubs lost, the CVB came out winning with contracts for a medical group for 2012 and 3 leads for future business.

Participating partners included Cristina Martinez-Spottswood, Grand Hyatt; Steve Dolge, Hilton Palacio del Rio; Dawn Taylor, Hotel Valencia; Stephanie Deel, Marriott RC/RW; John Rowe, Wyndham St. Anthony; Brenda Teichroeb, RK Group; Lisa Parker, Sunset Station.

cubs
Pictured left to right are Amy Brown, SACVB; Chris Mahaffey, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (in SA for 2012 meeting); Cristina Martinez-Spottswood, Grand Hyatt

 

 

 



Cubs2Pictured left to right are Kristen Olson, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; Tonya Almond, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; John Rowe, Wyndham St. Anthony; Catherine Mills, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

 

 

 

RENOVARÉ

Speakers from as far away as South Korea, Brazil, and Great Britain, participated in the RENOVARÉ International Conference held June 21-24, 2009 at the Municipal Auditorium and the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel. Approximately 2,700 people attended the conference, which was based on a book by Reverend Eugene Peterson’s book titled “The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way.” RENOVARÉ is a Christian nonprofit organization.

Renovare

Pictured from left: Pastor Chris Webb (president of RENOVARÉ), Pastor Max Lucado, Rev. Eugene Peterson, and Donna Streib.

For more information on RENOVARÉ, log on to their Web site at www.renovare.us.

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Facilities Section

COWBOYS TRAINING CAMPSETS ATTENDANCE RECORDCowboys Camp Logo

The 2009 Dallas Cowboy Training Camp drew the largest number of fans in the Alamodome's history with 205,000 in attendance. Preliminary net revenues from the 21-day camp are once again expected to exceed revenue over expenses expectations. Individual practices averaged over 9,000 people while the Kick-Off Party had 21,254 fans show up for the big start. The one-day record attendance was July 28th with more than 22, 420 attendees. The Dallas Cowboys organization launched an intensive media campaign to improve attendance. The City of San Antonio also benefitted with strong media coverage; 400 media credentials were issued by Cowboys staff. The current five-year agreement allows the Dallas team to use the Alamodome, while the Alamodome receives all revenue from parking, catering, and concessions.

For more information on the Dallas Cowboys, please visit www.dallascowboys.com.
For information about upcoming Alamodome events, visit www.alamodome.com.

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HORROR FILM FEST 2

For the first time ever in San Antonio, slasher kings Jason, Michael Myers and Leatherface will be appear together for the Horror Film Fest 2 from August 27-30, 2009. Bill Jonson ("Leatherface", Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Ari Lehman ("Jason Vorhees", Friday the 13th) and Tony Moran ("Michael Myers," Halloween) will offer guidance and advice to horror filmmakers for the festival at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Visit www.horrificfilmfest.com for more festival details including the free Zombie walk, filmmaking seminars, and screening times.

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What's Happening Section

SAN ANTONIO ROSE LIVE!

San Antonio Rose LiveTickets are now on sale for San Antonio Rose Live at the historic Aztec Theatre. The classic country music show made its public debut on Friday, August 21. The two-hour musical tribute takes the audience on a journey through country music history from the 1920's to the 1980's with classics from George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ray Price, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn and other great artists. The 10-member band includes world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin, and San Antonio.

Weekly show times are Fridays through Mondays at 7 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $49 on main floor, $39 for lower balcony to $20 for upper balcony, and may be purchased online at saroselive.com or by calling (210) 212-7638. The theatre is located at 104 North St. Mary’s St. at Commerce St.

COMMIT TO GET FIT

RnRNew for 2009 - Take work-life balance to the next level! Organized groups of 10 or more are encouraged to rise to the Get Fit Challenge by training together for the  Rock ‘n' Roll San Antonio Marathon or ½ Marathon this November 15.
Gather your coworkers, form a team and receive the following perks:

  • Discount code for $10 off of each team member's registration fee
  • FREE Access to New Balance's online Active Trainer
  • Prizes awarded to the 3 largest teams in each division

Interested in spearheading your company’s team? Visit http://www.rnrsa.com/getfitchallenge.html for more information.
For more information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio or to register, please visit www.rnrsa.com or call (800) 311-1255.  Register early- this race will sell out!

MOVIES BY MOONLIGHT

HemisFair Movies By MoonlightMake Thursday's your movie date night at HemisFair Park with Movies by Moonlight. The free outdoor film series, presented by Downtown Operations and sponsored by Rivercenter Mall, is showing movies every Thursday thru October in the grassy are under the park archway and the Magik Theater building at S. Alamo and Nueva. Pre-show entertainment starts at 7:30 p.m. and the feature film beginning at 8:30 p.m. Starting in September, pre-entertainment will start at 7:00 p.m. with the feature film beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Click here for movie schedules

Free parking is available at the Alamo Street Lot near the HemisFair Park and across from the Federal Courthouse at the Durango Street lots after 6:00 p.m. on a first-come basis.

A complete list of events from the SACVB website.

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Who's In Town Section

Please give a warm welcome to our groups in town for the month of August, especially Texas Bandmasters, Texas Choral Directors, and Texas Orchestra Directors Association which are currently booked through 2020.

National Conference of Standards Laboratories (750)
Texas Bandmasters Association (1435)
Texas Choral Directors Assoc & Texas Orchestra Directors Assoc (545)
International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous (400)
MassMutual Financial Group (1410)
Institute of Transportation Engineers (750)
CareFusion (800)
Cardinal Health, Inc. (2606)
Fullness of Truth Catholic Evangelization Ministries (220)
The Tessitura Network Incorporated (960)
Voluntary Protection Program Participants' Association (1,200)
Monterrey Institute of Technology (50)
Henry M. Jackson Foundation (103)

Click here for a complete schedule of meetings from the SACVB website.

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Partner Section

TWO OF THE BEST

Two San Antonio hotels made the "World's Best" list in the August issue of Travel & Leisure magazine. The Watermark Hotel & Spa ranked No. 26 among hotels overall and No.2 in the small hotels category. The Omni La Mansion del Rio ranked No. 72 overall and No. 4 among large hotels. Congrats to both properties for continued excellence!

THE WESTIN'S HEAVENLY BEDS

Westin's Heavenly Bed on the River WalkRoom Attendants from Westin Riverwalk and Westin La Cantera Resort were honored on July 10 for their years of service. To showcase the 10th anniversary of hospitality’s most famous bed, the Westin Heavenly Bed, the ladies took the bed on a celebratory cruise along the Riverwalk. The Westin Heavenly Bed was introduced to the world 10 years ago and since then has launched 5 million across the globe. Since the bed’s introduction in 1999, it’s estimated that between the two San Antonio Westin Hotels, both of which also celebrate 10 years in San Antonio this year, more than ONE MILLION Heavenly Beds have been made, re-made, and made again.


SHADE IN THE PLAZA
Canopy

The Main Plaza Conservancy is under construction as crews make way for new shade canopies. The custom fabricated and full-color canopy structures were designed by Rios Clementi Hale Studios. Some trees were lost to disease, creating the need for more shade.

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 Our Thanks...

The SACVB thanks our leadership for their ongoing support of our agency and the hospitality industry in San Antonio:

  • Mayor Julian Castro and City Council
  • City Manager Sheryl Sculley

Ex Officio
Mary Alice Cisneros, District 1 Councilwoman

Executive Committee
Dan Decker (Chairman)• Louis Barrios (Vice Chair)• Michael Cortez • Jean James • Don McDaniel • Paula Owen • Bob Raymond

Commission
George Alva • Diana Arevalo • Louis Barrios • Martin Bozer • William Brendel • Henry Feldman • Della Guidry • Johnny Hernandez • Kathy Hornsby • Martin Kushner • Bill Lyons • Christine Ortega • Davis Phillips • Siegfried Richter • Ron Stinson


Newsletter Information
From The Heart is a collaborative effort of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Convention, Sports and Entertainment Facilities.

Our Mission is "To promote and market San Antonio as a premier visitor and convention/meeting destination for the purpose of positively affecting the city economy."

For more information, or to be removed from this newsletter list, email us at CommunityRelations@VisitSanAntonio.com, or call the Community Relations division at (210) 207-6737.


Copyright © 2009 San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. All Rights Reserved.
203 S. St. Mary's St. San Antonio, TX 78205
www.VisitSanAntonio.com

In this issue
Monthly Measure
SACVB Improved Website
Summer Tourism Update
Embrace BRAC
Marketing
Communications
Mexico/Latin America
Tourism
Sales & Services
Convention, Sports & Entertainment Facilities
Film Commission
What's Happening
Who's In Town
Partner Spotlight

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
Houston Street Fair & Market 3rd Annual Car Show
Free event
12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Pet adoption, arts, crafts and Sistercreek Winery.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31
Urban Renaissance Luncheon
Guest Speaker:
Donovan Rypkema, a downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization specialist.
Hyatt Regency Hotel
11:30 a.m. Registration
12:00 p.m. Lunch & Presentation

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Tourism Unity Night
Silent & Live Auctions, River Barge Dinner, Dancing.
Call (210) 886-9991 or email for more info.

 

ONLINE ADVERTISING
Advertise your business on the SACVB's website

In June 2009, www.visitsanantonio.com had over 1.6 million page views in one month! Add more online exposure and direct these customers to your business. Online opportunities are available for both the Meeting Professional and Leisure sections. For more information, please contact Debi Saldana at (210) 723-9957 or debi.saldana@milesmedia.com

For previous issues of the SACVB Newsletter, visit the Partners section of our website.

SAHLAngels

SAHLAngels 


Get discounted hotel rooms while supporting the San Antonio Hotel Lodging Association's Angel program.
100% of the sale price for your purchase will be divided equally among the following six local Charities:

The Bexar County Family Justice Center Foundation
Haven for Hope of Bexar County
Humane Society/SPCA - Bexar County
San Antonio Youth Centers
St. Peter's - St. Joseph's Children's Home
WINGS (Women helping uninsured women with Breast Cancer)

This is the fifth year the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association has held this sale. In the first four years, SAHLAngels has distributed almost $300,000 to 18 local agencies. In addition, $16,000 has been retained as an Angel Emergency Fund for SAHLA to provide immediate cash to help individual families across our community in time of dire need.

View hotel and attraction offers here.

SACVB Events Calendar

Have an event to submit to the CVB web calendar? Click here for the submission form.

Share the News!
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