In this issue...

Features

CVB & GM Award Meeting Planner New Chevy Trailblazer!

"You're kidding me?! I won! I won! I won! sound effects---- sqquueeaals of excitement, screaming--- Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!"

And so went the conversation during a conference call in which CVB employees notified Lutricia Valentine, independent meeting planner, that her name had been drawn from the nearly 300 individuals who were eligible to win the free two-year lease on a brand new 2007 Dayton-made GM Chevy Trailblazer SUV.

Lutricia, a resident of Detroit, was awarded her shiny new 2007 jewel-red Chevy Trailblazer during a press conference in Dayton in January. She was ecstatic. Lutricia hosted over 1,500 delegates in Dayton/Montgomery County at the October 2006 United Conference For Women convention.

"The Dayton Drives Excitement Campaign was spearheaded by the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau to generate exposure for Dayton/Montgomery County and additional interest in Dayton/Montgomery County as a convention meeting and event destination.

The CVB is proud to partner with a major area employer, the GM Moraine Assembly Plant, to promote the excellent GM products assembled in our community. There is fierce competition among cities and communities throughout the nation for convention, meeting and event business" states Jacquelyn Y. Powell, President/CEO of the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau" This promotional incentive, offering a chance to win a FREE two-year lease on a GM Chevrolet Trailblazer by completing a free Request For Proposal with the CVB for a convention or event in Dayton/Montgomery County, is an excellent way to differentiate Dayton from the competition."

According to Valerie Catchings, Personnel Director of the GM Moraine Assembly Plant, "GM is pleased to partner with the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau. GM recognizes the importance of convention and event business on the economic vitality of the greater Miami Valley. We congratulate Lutricia Valentine on winning the two-year GM Chevy Trailblazer lease."

The really exciting news? The CVB is partnering again in 2007 with the GM Moraine Assembly plant and YOU could have an excellent shot at winning a two-year lease (2008-2010) on a brand new Dayton-made 2008 GM Chevy Trailblazer SS SUV during the CVB's 2007 Dayton Drives Excitement Campaign! All you have to do is work with the CVB on a complimentary Request For Proposal to host your group's next event (reunion, social, civic, association, military, sports, religious, business etc.) in Dayton/Montgomery County. You need only consider Dayton as a host site for your next event and your name will automatically go into a drawing to win the two-year Chevy Trailblazer SS SUV lease! It's that easy! And, it is free! The next drawing will be held in December 2007. So what are you waiting for? Contact the CVB today at 937-226-8281 or www.daytoncvb.com/gm

Dayton Hosts NCAA March Madness!

Dayton has got game baby!

NCAA Basketball March Madness bounces into action at Dayton's own University of Dayton Arena Tuesday, March 13, 2007. All eyes will be on Dayton and this NCAA Men's National Tournament Opening Round Game between teams #65 and #64. The winner of the Opening Round game will advance to a Round I Tournament site.

But fear not loyal round-ball fans, Dayton's NCAA Tournament backboard action doesn't end on March 13th. Dayton will play host to some of the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight teams in the 26th annual NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament Regionals held at U.D. Arena March 25th and 27th. The winner will advance to the Women's Final Four Tournament held April 1st and 3rd in Cleveland.

The NCAA has made Dayton the home for the NCAA Tournament Opening Round Game through 2010 and U.D. Arena has been an NCAA tournament site for 21 of the last 38 years. U.D. Arena is the third most prolific NCAA tournament venue in the nation, surpassed only by venues in Kansas City and Salt Lake City.

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud of our community's history as avid basketball fans and supporters. The CVB eagerly assists in the successful hosting of the NCAA Tournaments which bring visitors and outside dollars into our community and which garner positive national exposure for Dayton. The CVB has participated on the U.D. Arena/NCAA planning committee, distributed posters and welcome buttons to area hotels and motels and restaurants, placed a Welcome NCAA Fans and Players billboard near the Dayton International Airport, placed a Welcome NCAA Station in the Airport, and assisted in the production and placement of Welcome Basketball Fans and Players banners on flag poles along Edwin C. Moses near the Arena.

Tickets are still available for both the Men's NCAA Division I Opening Round ($10 each) and the Women's NCAA Division I Regionals ($20-$35). To obtain tickets, call today 937-229-4433 or log onto www.daytonflyers.com . Brackets for the Men's Tournament will be announced on Selection Sunday, March 11, 2007. Brackets for the Women's Tournament will be announced on Monday, March 12, 2007.

CVB Recognizes Eight Community Ambassador Award Winners

What might you have in common with a WWII parachutist, an author, and a junior volleyball tournament coordinator? A lot if you host your next social, civic, association or business event in Dayton/Montgomery County!

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau was proud to honor eight individuals at the 15th Annual Community Ambassador Awards Breakfast for bringing their events to Dayton/Montgomery County. Emcees Jacquelyn Y. Powell, CVB President/CEO and Dale Huffman, Dayton Daily News columnist and community activist, had fun recognizing eight meeting planners who selected Dayton/Montgomery County as the site to host their significant conventions/events in 2006. The winners, who joined the ranks of more than 100 Community Ambassadors honored since the initial Breakfast in 1992, included:

• Phil Anders, Dayton Juniors Volleyball Tournament
• Tim Bete, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
• Peggy Cullins, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion Reunion
• Ray Joiner, U.S. Department of Energy Cyber Security Training Conference
• Barbara King, Wilberforce University Alumni Association Reunion
• Derric McDonald, Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, Inc Convention
• Brenda McGowan, American Legion Department of Ohio Convention
• Lutricia Valentine, United Conference For Women Convention

According to Jacquelyn Y. Powell, President/CEO of the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau, "It was a privilege to recognize these excellent ambassadors and present each winner with a leather flight jacket from Dayton, The Birthplace of Aviation. The jacket is a small token of our appreciation—a way of saying thanks to the meeting planner for choosing Dayton over other destinations as the host site for their event. Each event has a positive economic impact on our community. Collectively, the eight award winners' events have brought thousands of people to Dayton/Montgomery County and have generated hundreds of thousands in economic impact to the area economy. The variety of groups the Ambassadors represent demonstrates all that our area has to offer as a site for conventions, sports tournaments, group meetings and special events."

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to thank the following Community Ambassador Award sponsors: AAA Miami Valley, Benefits Network Insurance Agency, CODE Credit Union, CQ Printing, Dayton Airport Hotel, Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Dayton Convention Center, Dayton Marriott, Doubletree Hotel Dayton Downtown, General Motors, Holiday Inn Dayton Mall, Holiday Inn Dayton South, Merrill Lynch the O'Neal, Gagel, Davis, McGlone Group, National Aviation Heritage Area, Red Roof Inns, Sleep Inn & Suites, Thomas Graphics, and TourneyCentral.com.

To learn how you could be a future ambassador award winner contact the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau today at 937-226-8281.

President's Corner

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud of our community and eager to promote Destination Dayton to area residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re a long time resident or a potential visitor looking for a weekend get-away, Dayton/Montgomery County has something exciting to offer you. To aid in your exploration of the area, the Dayton/Montgomery County CVB produces a number of collateral pieces that are available free of charge to the public.

To check out the variety of exciting happenings or to learn more about the Dayton/Montgomery County area pick up the CVB's newly published 2007 Destination Dayton Visitors Guide or the January-June 2007 Calendar of Events.

The 2007 Destination Dayton Visitors Guide is a 56-page four color magazine highlighting information on the Dayton/Montgomery County area ranging from accommodations, attractions, arts and culture, restaurants, shopping, parks, recreation, history and more. The CVB produces and distributes 125,000 copies of this user-friendly publication throughout the year. We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this magazine free of charge. We hope that visitors and residents alike will enjoy the 2007 Destination Dayton Visitors Guide and that each will encourage friends, family, social or professional groups to come explore Dayton/Montgomery County.

The CVBs 2007 January-June Calendar of Events publication highlights activities occurring in the area that are open to the public. Date, time, location, cost if applicable, a brief description and contact information for additional details are provided for each event. This handy pocket-size reference is a great resource. For continually updated event information you can log onto the CVB’s website and on-line Calendar of Events at www.daytoncvb.com/calendar.

Perhaps dining out is your passion? If so, you’ll really enjoy the Dayton/Montgomery County CVB’s Restaurant Guide. The user-friendly guide is divided by Dayton region (north, central, south), by cuisine type (e.g. American, Steaks, Chinese etc.) and then alphabetically by restaurant name. Easy to read maps make it convenient for visitors and residents alike to locate restaurants.

Dayton/Montgomery County has so much to offer! We encourage you to check it all out! For a free 2007 Destination Dayton Visitors Guide, 2007 January-June Calendar of Events or Dayton/Montgomery County Restaurant Guide stop by the CVB offices in the Dayton Convention Center at Fifth & Main Streets, or order by calling 937-226-8211 or via www.daytoncvb.com/guide

Enjoy!

Jacquelyn Y. Powell

Fast Facts/News

• The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau bids a fond farewell to Gloria Murphy who will retire March 31, 2007. Gloria has served as executive assistant to CVB President/CEO Jacquelyn Y. Powell for 12 years. Enjoy retirement Gloria! We will miss you!
• The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to welcome Lynn Gathagan and Missy Knight to the CVB staff. Lynn Gathagan is the new executive assistant to CVB President/CEO Jacquelyn Y. Powell and Missy Knight will serve as a permanent part-time clerical assistant for the Bureau.
• Did you know that tours of Hawthorn Hill, Orville Wright's home, will be available to the general public (for the first time ever!) starting May 2, 2007? Tours will depart from Carillon Historical Park Wednesday—Saturday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 877-BE-HISTORY or by visiting www.daytonhistory.org
• The CVB has developed a new on-line method for Dayton/Montgomery County hotels and motels to record actual room pick-up for conventions, tournaments, reunions and events meeting in Dayton/Montgomery County. The on-line reporting should ease and expedite the process of collecting accurate event data.
• Experience the ARTtoBUY Spring Gift Gallery at the Dayton Visual Arts Center on Jefferson Street March 9—June 2. Original art and fine craft in all media and price ranges. 11am-6pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-9pm Thursday. Free. 937-224-3822 www.daytonvisualarts.org
• Check out the March—September issue of Midwest Living’s Best of the Midwest magazine and see an ad highlighting Destination Dayton and the soon to be available (May 2) Wright Brothers’ Hawthorn Hill Tours. This publication is sold from newsstands over a seven month time-frame.
• Check out the May/June issue of Midwest Living Magazine and see an ad highlighting Destination Dayton and the Marilyn Monroe Exhibit at the Dayton Art Institute (April 28-June 24, 2007). The magazine has a circulation of nearly 750,000 and the ad will drive visitors to Dayton/Montgomery County.
• Does your home need a little TLC? Visit the Dayton Home and Garden Show March 9-11 at the Dayton Convention Center for the newest and most innovative ideas. $. 937-333-4700.
• Listen to a live concert by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Saturday, March 10th at 7:30pm. Free. 937-255-3286

On The Road

Here's a sampling of where Bureau staff has recently been and is headed in our ongoing attempt to bring business to Dayton/Montgomery County:

January
Professional Conference Managers Association	Toronto, Canada
Religious Conference Managers Association Annual Tradeshow and Conference	Louisville, KY
February
Heartland Travel Showcase	Cincinnati, OH
March
Destination Showcase Tradeshow	Washington D.C.
Christian Management Association Conference	Palm Springs, CA
April
Affordable Meetings Mid-America Tradeshow	Chicago, IL
National Association of Sports Commissions	Dallas, TX

Help Us Welcome These Groups!

Following are some of the larger meetings and conventions coming to Dayton/Montgomery County during the next few months:

Contact the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau today to learn how the CVB can save you time and money by providing complimentary assistance to bring your next social or business group's event to Dayton, The Birthplace of Aviation!