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Hard to believe it's May!

With IPW next week in Los Angeles, CRUSA's Allied Member meeting in Frederick on the 23rd, and our French media mission in early June, it's a busy time.

Next month, our board of directors will meet to finalize CRUSA's FY25 marketing and communications plan - governing our target markets and programs. Once that's done, we'll start communicating the opportunities you can take advantage of next year.

One of those is our 3rd annual Global Travel Exchange (see below) in Charlottesville. Spaces are filling fast, so reserve yours today and be ready to meet with tour operators and receptives eager to do business in your destination!

Finally, a big thanks to one of our major partners - the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). They have been a long-time funding partner and recently renewed their commitment to the CRUSA program. We truly appreciate their support and the marketing reach their investment allows us to obtain.

Enjoy this spring weather!

Scott

Scott Balyo

Executive Director

Sales & Marketing Updates

German Sales Mission

Representatives from Destination DC, Visit Fairfax, Visit Frederick, Richmond Region Tourism, and Visit Virginia Beach joined CRUSA on its annual German Sales Mission hosted April 15-19. The group traveled to Berlin, Leipzig, and Zurich to conduct nearly 20 product meetings and staff trainings with product managers and sales staff from top operators in Germany and Switzerland.

The mission included a cooking event with Knecht Reisen which was picked up by travel trade media in Switzerland. View the stories on About Travel and Travel News.

Brand USA and United Airlines New York City and Capital Region Fam

In partnership with United Airlines, Brand USA recently hosted a megafam for Irish travel agents. A delegation of eight agents and one host toured the Capital Region during their visit. The group travelled to Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, DC, Shenandoah National Park, and Charlottesville before departing home through Dulles Airport.

Great Chesapeake Bay Loop Marketing Update

Maryland Office of Tourism Development hosted two marketing updates for partners and stakeholders focused on the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop. MOTD staff were joined by the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways, Maryland State Parks, and tourism industry partners at two Marketing Update events hosted in Kent Narrows/Grasonville and BWI/Linthicum Heights.

Attendees learned about traveler motivations, interests and impact along with how to work with OTD to maximize opportunities. Stakeholders from all parts of the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop attended the program. Stacey Sheetz represented CRUSA in a panel discussion on "Amplification Through Public Relations & Social Media Efforts". The discussion included the ways in which CRUSA and our overseas reps promote the Chesapeake Bay and its experiences and attractions. Learn more about the update on MOTD’s industry site.

Leads Available

Leads from the International Inbound Travel Association Summit are now available.

Contact Kimberly Petersen to receive the leads report.

Register for the 2024 Global Travel Exchange

Registration is open for the 2024 Global Travel Exchange! Capital Region USA's annual marketplace connects the region's travel suppliers, overseas buyers, and receptive operators in face-to-face appointments, regional familiarization tours, and engaging networking events.

Where: Kimpton The Forum Hotel, Charlottesville, Virginia

When: September 16-18, 2024

Cost: $1295 for first attendee; $795 for second attendee

Room Block: A room block rate of $179 per night is available for GTE attendees. Book by July 1.

What's included: Marketplace orientation, appointments and networking events as well as attendance at Global Market Update, CRUSA's annual education event for the regional travel industry. Breakfasts, lunches, breaks, and kick-off dinner on Monday night are also included with registration.

Program: View the event schedule here.