ENTERPRISE TODAY
Spring 2011
www.lynchburgchamber.org
Tourism Leading the Way at industry trade shows Board and hospitality across the US and around stakeholders from local the world. At hotels, restau“Lynchburg first in rants, attracthe recent 2011 Tourism Virginia to launch tions and more. he Lynchburg Outlook Berry's presena travel applicaRegional Luncheon, tation comtion for mobile Convention and ‘discover pared phones.” Visitors Bureau Lynchburg’ Lynchburg’s - Jack Berry, CEO (‘discoverLynchburg’) was lauded as tourism proRichmond Metropolitian markets Lynchburg as a a leader gram to some CVB destination for leisure trav- among of the largest, el, group tours, meetings tourism programs across most successful CVB’s in and conventions and sport- the State, as well as the Virginia. “When looking at ing events. nation. Jack Berry, CEO of return on tourism dollars ‘DiscoverLynchburg’ man- the Richmond and visitor expenditures… ages both national and Metropolitan CVB spoke to Williamsburg has 16,000 international programthe crowd of over 100, rooms while Lynchburg ming efforts which include including City barely has 2,000, if you marketing in printed publi- Councilmen, Lynchburg divide the return per cations, online advertising, Chamber Board members, room, Lynchburg is right television promotions, and the Lynchburg Tourism on their heels; you are doing extremely well”. Berry also looked at what percent of the CVB's budget is being spent on advertising; “The Lynchburg CVB is doing what Richmond or no other program in Virginia is doing…Lynchburg is spending one half of their budget on marketing. Lynchburg has TV commercials in target markets like Washington DC; Richmond can’t do that with our staff and budget”. Guest speaker Jack Berry with Beckie Nix and Denise Jackson see Tourism page 5 of 'discoverLynchburg'.
Lynchburg's Tourism Program Lauded as Leader in the State
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Published for The Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce by
Annual Meeting Features “Protecting Free Enterprise”
American Free Enterprise A project of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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he Chamber's Annual Meeting held March 9 featured US William Walton Chamber board member Bill Walton who delivered an insightful message on “Free Enterprise in America: The Way Forward.” Walton, owner of Rappahannock Ventures, LLC, serves on the US Chamber Board and the American Enterprise Institute. In his passionate message, Walton stressed the importance of protecting the free enterprise system in our nation stating “we’ve seen a full frontal assault on this system, and with it many of the political freedoms we’ve come to take for granted in America.” Regulatory restraint and reform, expansion of American trade, rebuilding the nation’s economic foundation, and reducing runaway spending, deficits, and debt were several of the actions Walton recommended for getting the U.S. economy back on a high growth trajectory. And that the only way for this to happen is to have business leaders and the private sector get involved. Also featured were the Chamber’s top accomplishments of 2010 which included: Continued marketing support for Amtrak’s Lynchburg to Boston passenger rail service resulting in shattering ridership and revenue projections. Spearheaded major regional campaign to maintain Delta Airlines service at Lynchburg Regional Airport. Gathered support from several local governments and business associations for a resolution to the US29 Charlottesville bypass issue. Broadened campaign for passenger rail service to see Annual Meeting page 7
What’s Inside? 2011 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Legislative Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Connection Trade Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Leadership Lynchburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Ribbon Cuttings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Members News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Women of Worth Lucheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Small Business Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15