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Executive
Order Sparks Tourism in Commonwealth
by
Doug Forshey
Virginia
Business
September 2003
With
the stroke of his pen on Jan. 23, 2002, Gov. Mark Warner
single-handedly gave a boost to Virginia’s tourism
industry and a much needed lift to the state’s
economy. The governor’s executive order directed
state agencies to actively recruit national and regional
conference business to the commonwealth. The order specifically
calls upon state agency personnel, board members and
commission members to contact national organizations
to which they pay dues and encourage these organizations
to hold their meetings in Virginia.
The report also directs agencies, boards and commissions
to submit a report to Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Michael J. Schewel by May 1 of each year. The report
must include a list of all national organizations to
which dues are paid. The report must also contain a
status of any negotiations with each of these organizations
regarding conference or conventions and any information
relevant to the recruitment of national and regional
conferences and conventions.
But
can an executive order really translate into action?
According to Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the
Virginia Tourism Corp, it can. “The involvement
of Gov. Warner by issuing Executive Order 6 is fairly
unprecedented,” says Bailey. “As a result
of his effort and our direction, more than 50 meetings
have been recruited to Virginia, in many instances with
direct involvement by the governor. While these meetings
will have more than a $9 million impact alone, our ability
to showcase the state to these business tourists will
assist us in luring them back as leisure travelers.”
The
governor recently saluted Virginia’s travel and
tourism industry when he announced that 2002 saw a 6.4
percent increase in overall tourism in the commonwealth.
“The increase shows the strength of the more than
211,000 Virginians employed in the tourism industry,”
Warner says. “Virginia continues to be a popular
travel destination for visitors from around the world.”
The number of destination visitors and overnight visitation
increased from 31.4 million in 2001 to 33.4 million
in 2002, with leisure visitation increasing by more
than 11 percent.
To
further support the industry, Warner will be on hand
Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Richmond Convention Center to
kick off the 2003 Fall Marketplace, Virginia’s
meeting industry trade show and conference. Produced
annually by the Virginia Society of Association Executives
to support the tourism and travel industry, the marketplace
features educational seminars and a trade show with
more than 100 vendors. Lunch and complimentary parking
are also included in the $20 fee for the one-day event.
For more information or to register, log on to www.vsae.org.
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