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This partner communication exists to provide updates on Sonoma County Tourism’s programs and offerings, along with additional news and resources to support Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry.

August 21, 2024

SCT’s Annual Meeting provides a once-a-year opportunity for the industry to learn more about our partner-driven sales and marketing initiatives and network with industry leaders and colleagues. We’re particularly excited about this year. With so much evolution in the tourism and hospitality industry, we searched for a speaker who could address the impactful Millennial generation and the growing use of AI. We think we found an extraordinary one. Matt Britton will not only talk about generational trends in the tourism industry, but will also discuss Millennials as consumers and the values they bring to purchase decisions. We hope this will be an important session for those in any industry sector looking to better appeal to this important customer group. We’ll also talk a lot about technology throughout the meeting. How we integrate and maximize technology through all our channels and with all audiences is one of the most critical issues in our industry today. We hope you’ll join us for the meeting and the educational breakout sessions! Detailed information and the registration link can be found below.  

Sign-up Today for these Partner Sessions

Destination Sales Training (registration coming soon!):

Save the Date! SCT’s Business Development team is hosting an immersive sales training session for lodging and hospitality partners. 

Topic: Be Present - Join us as Rick S. Blackburn of BRN Solutions leads a discussion on how to reshape your strategies and tactics to stimulate immediate and lasting results while selling the destination.

Date: Tuesday, September 24 & Wednesday September 25 Lodging partner training will be in the afternoons. Content will be different on both days, so we highly encourage hotel sales teams to attend both training days.

Hospitality partner training will be in the mornings. Content will be the same both days, allowing partners to choose the session that works for them.

Last Call: Hospitality Mixer at Muscardini Cellars

Sonoma County Tourism invites you to join us for our first Hospitality Mixer of the new fiscal year at Muscardini Cellars on Tuesday, August 27 from 5:00-6:30pm. We look forward to connecting with our partners for an evening of local beverages, bites and excellent company!

The final deadline to register is August 23 at 5:00pm, or until we have reached capacity. Additional event information will be sent two days prior to the event to those who register. Always consider carpooling with friends or colleagues. Questions can be directed to Tracy Koch at tkoch@sonomacounty.com. 

Location: Muscardini Cellars

(9380 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood)

Date: Tuesday, August 27

Time: 5:00-6:30pmRSVP HERE

We want to hear from you! Sonoma County Tourism exists to drive revenue to you, our partner businesses, so your input is vital to our programming. This survey is designed to provide an opportunity to share insights regarding partner engagement, identify programs that provide the greatest value to you, and gage your level of satisfaction with SCT’s programs and initiatives. We appreciate both your time and your valuable input! 

Please keep in mind: 

·   All responses are confidential. 

·   The survey will take approximately 10-12 minutes to complete. 

·   Once you press "Done", your input will be sent directly to Sonoma County Tourism.

·   Please submit your candid and confidential responses on or before August 31, 2024.

·   Two respondents will be randomly selected to win either a $200 gift card to Oliver's Markets or a $100 Amazon gift card. 

If you have any questions about this survey or SCT's initiatives, please contact Kelly Bass Seibel at  kseibel@sonomacounty.com. 

We acknowledge and appreciate that this is an in-depth survey. If you submit your survey on or before August 31, you may be entered to win a $200 gift card to Oliver's Markets or a $100 gift card to Amazon.

Public relations professionals frequently pitch stories months in advance to the media when planning their travel schedules and content calendars. This enhances the likelihood of featuring our Sonoma County partners' stories. In line with this, we are currently pitching ideas for fall events, Halloween promotions, Winter getaways on the Sonoma Coast, and December holiday experiences at hotels, wineries, restaurants, and attractions, all to our global network of journalists.

Do you have any story ideas, unique experiences, or promotions planned? If so, let us know at publicrelations@sonomacounty.com

UPRoot. UPGrade. UPLift. at SCT's Annual Meeting

Monday, September 23 Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

With a general session focused on UProoting strategies around marketing especially pertaining to the Millennial consumer, along with breakout sessions designed to UPend your approach to traditional marketing, this is an opportunity to connect with industry peers and gain insights into maximizing your opportunities to disrUPt and UPlift your business and reshape the Sonoma County tourism industry.

Featuring Keynote Speaker:

Matt Britton on The New Millennial Consumer: Values, Preferences, and Trends

Matt Britton is a world-renowned expert on the impact of tomorrow’s consumer on the leading brands of today. Over the past two decades, he has provided invaluable consultation to more than half of the Fortune 500 on the influence and impact of Millennials and Gen Z. Currently at the helm of Suzy, a pioneering consumer intelligence platform, Matt has facilitated a radical transformation in how brands garner real-time feedback.

Schedule of Events: 

1:00 - 2:30 pm - General Session and Keynote Speaker

2:45 - 4:30 pm - Breakout Sessions

4:30 - 5:30 pm - Wine Reception

Tickets:

Keynote Session Only: $50 early bird through Sept. 6 / $65 thereafter

Full Afternoon: $60 early bird through Sept. 6 / $75 thereafter

For more information or questions contact communityengagement@sonomacounty.com

From Our Partners

"Pass My Glass": Unique Advertising Co-op to Promote Wine and Counter Headwinds in the Industry

Two marketing agencies that specialize in wine, Undisclosed Location and Cultivar Marketing, are set to launch an innovative advertising co-op program in Q1 2025, aimed at addressing challenges such as shifting generational consumption patterns and a growing temperance movement. "Pass My Glass" seeks to unite wineries and like-minded companies in a collaborative effort to promote wine as a beverage of choice. The creative is anchored by a universal message that highlights wine’s unique position in society as a beverage of socialness, something to be enjoyed with meals and emphasizes wines long and rich culture. For more information contact Barbara Gorder at UNLO.com or Brian Baker at Cultivarmarketing.com.

Russian River Watershed Clean-Up Day

Join Russian Riverkeeper at their 38th Annual Watershed Clean-Up Day on Saturday, September 21. Help them beat last year's record of picking up 4 tons of trash in a single day. Find more information or sign-up here.

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