First-Ever Hospice Regatta Sets Sail Aug. 23 in Elizabeth City

Contact:
Elizabeth Evans
Cahoon & Cross
Phone: (757) 420-6944 ext. 317
eevans@cahoonandcross.com
First-Ever Hospice Regatta Sets Sail Aug. 23 in Elizabeth City
(Elizabeth City, N.C., Aug. 7, 2008) – Sean Robey is hoping sailing enthusiasts will remember a loved one and set sail with the first-ever Albemarle Hospice Regatta, Aug. 23 from the Elizabeth City waterfront. To promote Hospice and to benefit Hospice organizations in the Albemarle area, the event should resonate with many in the community.

“Everyone touched by Hospice remembers the people and the organizations that helped them through difficult times,” said Robey, an avid sailor and Hospice supporter. “This is a chance to help raise awareness of these organizations, while enjoying a summer day on the river.”

The race is open to sailors in spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes and includes a cruising class for sailors who do not normally race but want to show their support for Hospice care.

Regatta registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by a day of racing; dinner and an awards presentation at Grouper’s Restaurant at 6 p.m.; and live music on the Grouper’s deck beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Non-sailors are welcome to attend the social events, and there are many ways to lend support. Regatta sponsorships, ranging from $50 to $500, are available. The $50 race registration and $25 dinner fees benefit Hospice, as well as the $5 cover for the Grouper’s deck party, featuring music by Chuck Hodges, Charlie Hoidal and Bobby Plough.

Albemarle Home Care, Albemarle Hospice, the Albemarle Hospice Regatta Committee and the Pasquotank River Yacht Club are hosting the day of racing in conjunction with he National Hospice Regatta Alliance (NHRA).

NHRA is a national network of charity sailing regattas which raise money and community awareness for hospice care for individuals facing a terminal illness and the people who care for them. There are 23 NHRA Regattas along with the National Hospice Regatta Championship. The Albemarle Hospice Regatta is a qualifying race for the National Hospice Regatta races the following spring. For information, go to www.AlbemarleHospiceRegatta.com or call (252) 337-8989.

Elizabeth City’s location on the Pasquotank River and Intracoastal Waterway – and its reputation as a “Harbor of Hospitality”– makes it a popular stop for recreational boaters from around the world. Additionally, the city’s Rose Buddies, a famous welcoming crew that greets boaters at Mariners’ Wharf, further extend the city’s welcoming ways.

Visitor and accommodations information for out-of-town sailing participants is available at www.DiscoverElizabethCity.com or by calling the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-ECity-4U (1-866-324-8948) or (252) 335-5330.
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Pasquotank County sees 8.2 Percent Increase in 2007 Visitor Expenditures

Contact:
Russ Haddad, ECACVB
Phone: (252) 335-5330
director@discoverec.org
Elizabeth Evans, Cahoon & Cross
Phone: (757) 420-6944
eevans@cahoonandcross.com
PASQUOTANK COUNTY SEES 8.2 PERCENT INCREASE IN 2007 VISITOR EXPENDITURES
– More than $47 million in travel and tourism spending is an all-time high –
(Elizabeth City, N.C., Aug. 8, 2008) -- Visitors to Pasquotank County spent $47.5 million in 2007, representing an increase of 8.2 percent over the previous year and a record high, according to a just-released study commissioned by the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

Expenditures in the Elizabeth City area are above the statewide increase of 7.4 percent, and Pasquotank County is among the top 18 percent of counties that saw increases.

“This is great news for Elizabeth City,” said Russ Haddad, director of the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (ECACVB). “During times when people are scaling back their travel plans, the increase speaks well to our targeted marketing program and the region’s appeal.”

The Travel Industry Association of America prepares “The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties” study annually for the state tourism division. It tracks visitor expenditures and tourism-related payroll, employment figures and tax receipts for all 100 North Carolina counties.

Pasquotank County’s visitor expenditures have seen a steady increase over the past few years, according to previous studies. Visitors spent $43.9 million in 2006, $40.9 million in 2005 and $38.7 million in 2004.

“The marketing efforts we began three years ago are on target and visitors are responding to our invitation to come to Elizabeth City,” said Haddad.

In 2005, the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Tourism Development Authority was created to oversee the newly created ECACVB. Previously, the tourism office had been organized under the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce. That same year, the ECACVB introduced its marketing and advertising campaign, “Discover the Good Life Daily.”

The marketing campaign for July 2007 through June 2008 represents the first full year that the ECACVB has implemented its five-year marketing plan. Using print advertisements, cooperative promotions and public relations, the campaign showcased the Elizabeth City area’s rich mix of history, natural resources and hometown charm, while positioning the region as a starting point for an extended regional visit.

“The combination of paid media advertisements, leveraged with public relations, increased the exposure of the region dramatically,” said Margaret Cahoon, a founding partner of Cahoon & Cross, the ECACVB’s marketing and public relations firm.

Targeting residents within a 175-mile radius of Elizabeth City, the advertising campaign featured four-color print advertisements in selected North Carolina visitor, group tour and waterway guides and magazines such as AAA Carolinas Go, Our State, Virginia Living and regional editions of Coastal Living and Southern Living, among others.

In 2007-2008, the Downtown Business and Professional Association, working with the ECACVB, developed a $15,000 fall and spring radio promotion designed to attract out-of-town visitors for weekend stays. The 14 co-op members that participated received a 3:1 return on investment as a result of the campaign.

Public relations outreach also received a boost when the Museum of the Albemarle hosted an exhibition of Ansel Adams photos documenting a 1940 vacation cruise that took the famous photographer along the Intracoastal Waterway. News of the exhibition generated more than $180,000 in public relations value, thanks to a public relations push that resulted in articles in The Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post and Atlanta’s Journal-Constitution.

For the year ahead, the ECACVB will continue to market Elizabeth City strategically through new online social networking opportunities, increased public relations and the launch of the new “Discover Elizabeth City” advertising and marketing co-op program that has attracted 30 Elizabeth City area attractions, sites and businesses.

“Working together as a region makes good economic sense,” said Haddad. “We look forward to getting the word out about the Elizabeth City area in new and innovative ways.”
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Exhibit Opening Invitation!

You are invited to an exhibit opening...

ALBEMARLE CRAFTSMAN'S GUILD
50th ANNIVERSARY
To Learn, To Create, To Teach

at the Museum of the Albemarle
Thursday, September 4, 2008

Reception ~ 6:00 pm
Historic Roundtable Presentation ~ 7:00 pm

Please join us in a celebration of crafts in the Albemarle region. The Albemarle Craftsman's Guild has shown their wares in an annual display and fair for fifty years. The guild adopted the motto "To Learn, To Create, To Teach" and it has ensured their mission for half a century. This reception will feature live music and light refreshments and the Historic Roundtable is sure to be fascinating as Guild members present highlights of the fifty past years.
This is a free event and open to the public.
For more information please, call 252-335-1453

Museum of the Albemarle
501 South Water Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Still Waters Salon - new people & services

Still Waters Salon & Spa

Would like you all to welcome

“Christine”

Our new

Esthetician

Specializing in Waxing, Facials,

“Natural Nail” Manicures & Pedicures

We’ve already had numerous great feed back to us as to her

Quality and Experience

App.’s for her services are booking very fast, reserve your time today!


P.S.

Courtney our “Coasty Wife” / “Hair Stylist” that recently moved away due to a transfer with the Coast Guard, She and her family will be transferring back to Elizabeth City and rejoining us on

August 19th

(We locked her in with a ball and chain to her station)

She ain’t moving

We love you Courtney welcome back

And don’t forget we will be closed for Vacation

Starting August 23rd through September 1st

Reopening September 2nd...

Albemarle Hospice Regatta Video

* Video without radio spot *


For more information please got to www.AlbemarleHospiceRegatta.com.

Jazz & Blues with Cool 21 Friday at The City Wine Sellar

Jazz & Blues with Cool 21 Friday at The City Wine Sellar
Host: Debbie Malenfant
Location: City Wine Sellar
102 Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 US
When: Friday, August 8, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Phone: 252-335-1163

Liven up your Friday night with Jazz & Blues by Cool 21. This unique band will relax and entertain you from 7:00-10:00 pm. Sit back, close your eyes, and you may feel like you are on Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Join us at The Sellar Wine Bar (located inside The City Wine Sellar) for dinner (served from 6:00-9:00 pm) or a cool glass of wine. Entertainment from 7-10 pm. Regular deli menu items served from 6-9 pm. Non-smoking inside venue. Smoking allowed in outside cafe. RSVP nice, but not necessary.

Check out other upcoming events at www.CityWine.blogspot.com. Call 252-335-1163 for more information.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Live in Concert here in Elizabeth City

Tickets are open to the public through www.etix.com or by calling 1-800-514-3849.

Bayside Manor Design House on WVEC-TV

On August 4th 2008 Russ Haddad, Director of the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Holly Wright, owner of The Wright Solution, went onto WVEC-TV for a noon news interview with Lasalle Blanks. They spoke about The Designer House at Bayside Manor happening Aug. 3 -- 17, 2008 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.



"The Designer House at Bayside Manor" tours will be held from Aug. 3 -- 17, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door and can be purchased in advance for $12 by calling Arts of the Albemarle at (252) 330-1333. A two-week pass is also available for $24 and allows ticket holders access to such special on-site events as a fashion show, butterfly gardening workshop and a harp concert. The boutique at Bayside will feature a "garden theme" displaying original paintings, prints, photography and handcrafts for purchase by Arts of the Albemarle artists and craftsman. For additional information go to www.BaysideManorTour.com

To find out more about Elizabeth City please go to www.DiscoverElizabethCity.com