THIS SUMMER, “STAY LOCAL, PLAY LOCAL”
New VISITCHARLOTTESVILLE.ORG mobile site makes it easier than ever to explore our area
June 7, 2012 (Charlottesville, VA) – Local officials from Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) gathered at Carter Mountain Orchard today to officially launch the 2012 edition of the “Stay Local, Play Local” program. This initiative aims at inspiring citizens to discover and experience the wide variety of free and low cost activities appealing to all age ranges and interests that our area has to offer.
Just in time for the “Stay Local, Play Local” program, the CACVB is launching the mobile version of www.visitcharlottesville.org. Accessible from any smart phone, this tool allows users to obtain location-specific information about their surroundings, such as a “What’s Nearby” button. The mobile site will help visitors and locals alike to make the most of their free time in our area, and perhaps even discover something new about our community. The mobile web site was designed in collaboration with VisitCharlottesville.org’s design partner SimpleView, the destination management organization industry leader for internet marketing.
“Residents have so many options to choose from,” said Ann Mallek, Chairman of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. “From the recently launched Monticello Artisan Trail, which connects destinations including craft artisan studios, galleries, agri-artisan farms, markets, local restaurants, lodging, and area points of interest in Albemarle and Nelson Counties and the City of Charlottesville to the always popular Monticello and Ash Lawn-Highland. Choosing to stay and play local means less money spent on gas and more resources and time available to enjoy our backyard treasures.”
“We are fortunate with all the possibilities that exist right here at home, so planning a vacation can be affordable and rewarding,” said Charlottesville mayor Satyendra Huja.
“Charlottesville and Albemarle County have so much to offer,” said Kurt Burkhart, CACVB Executive Director. “From wineries and restaurants to outdoors activities, not to mention historic landmarks, unique shopping and a vibrant culture and music scene, it is no wonder that our area is such an appealing destination for tourists – we invite locals to play tourist in their own backyard and spend their vacation dollars right here in our community. They can take advantage of unique events such as the Thursday Evening Sunset Series taking place right here at Carter Mountain Orchard all summer long! ”
In addition to online resources, there are two visitor centers where locals can obtain tourism-related information. One is located inside the Albemarle County building (open Monday-Friday) and another one situated Downtown (610 E. Main St. – open daily). Hours of operation at both locations are 9am to 5pm.
About the Monticello Artisan Trail:
The Monticello Artisans Trail is a regional trailway that connects destinations including craft artisan studios, galleries, agri-artisan farms, markets, local restaurants, lodging, and area points of interest in Albemarle and Nelson Counties and the City of Charlottesville. It is a regional trail of the Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV), Artisan Trail Network program, in partnership with Nelson and Albemarle Counties. The Monticello Artisan Trail website describes each destination, providing business description, hours of operation, address, and location on the trail map along with other information. The Plan a Visit function allows users to use the trip planner applications of the Virginia Tourism Corporation website to integrate a visit to the trail with other activities across the state.
Contact:
Sherri Smith, Executive Director, Artisans Center of Virginia
Phone: 540-946-3294
Email: trails@artisanscenterorvirginia.org
Website: ArtisanTrailNetwork.org
Brigitte Bélanger-Warner
Director of Sales & Marketing
Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
434.970.3632 – warnerb@charlottesville.org
About the CACVB
In addition to providing a wealth of information on the area to individual visitors, the CACVB assists tour operators, meeting planners, reunions and other groups to find attractions, restaurants, hotels, and other visitor related businesses. Its mission is “to enhance the economic prosperity of City and County by promoting, selling and marketing the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle, as a destination, in pursuit of the meetings and tourism markets.”