In this issue...

• Features
  • Dayton/Montgomery County Welcomes WGI World Championships April 10-12 and April 17-19
  • CVB Awards Chevy TrailBlazer to Dayton Drives Excitement! Campaign Winner
  • Amateur Radio Operators From Around The World Convene at Hamvention May 16-18
  • adidas Warrior Soccer Tournament Kicks Into Gear May 24-26
  • National Museum of the US Air Force Hosts Freedom’s Call Military Tattoo June 27th
• Fast Facts
• Help Us Welcome These Groups
• On The Road
• President’s Corner — Celebrate National Tourism Week May 12-16 with the CVB

WGI Color Guard

WGI Percussion

Features

Dayton/Montgomery County Welcomes WGI World Championships Back-To-Back Weekends in April (April 10-12 and April 17-19)

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau extends an enthusiastic welcome to the 2008 Winter Guard International Sport of the Arts (WGI) Color Guard World Championships and the 2008 WGI Percussion World Championships held April 10-12 and April 17-19 respectively in the Greater Dayton area. The Championships collectively, over the two weekends, are anticipated to bring in approximately 40,000 spectators and performers. (approximately 25,000 for Color Guard and approximately 15,000 for Percussion). Competitors come from across the nation and as far away as Japan filling area hotels, motels and restaurants, generating approximately $15 million in estimated economic impact for the area.

The Dayton/Montgomery County CVB and the Greater Dayton community were thrilled to learn in December 2007 that Winter Guard International (WGI) Sport of the Arts had committed to keeping their world headquarters and World Color Guard and World Percussion Championship Competitions in the Greater Dayton area through 2014. Now we’re eager to express our appreciation and warm welcome by providing outstanding service, community support and exceptional hospitality throughout their stay.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the two press conferences kicking off the WGI World Championship Competitions. Tuesday April 8th at 5pm on Courthouse Square at Main and Third Streets in downtown Dayton the WGI Color Guard World Championships will be highlighted including a demonstration performance by the world-ranked Miamisburg Color Guard unit. The following Tuesday, April 15th at 5pm at the same location, the WGI Percussion World Championships will be highlighted featuring a demonstration by the Carroll High School percussion unit.

And, you’ll want to be certain to attend the actual competitions taking place at facilities throughout the community including but not limited to the Dayton Convention Center, the Trent Arena, the Nutter Center and University of Dayton Arena. Finals for both competitions will occur Saturday evenings April 12th and 19th at UD Arena.

WGI Sport of the Arts, a not-for-profit youth organization, leads winter guard and indoor percussion activities. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. The mission of WGI Sport of the Arts is to foster positive experiences for all who participate, by promoting education, creativity and freedom of expression through the unification of pageantry and the performing arts.

WGI is expecting sell-out crowds for the World Finals events in Dayton. To purchase tickets call the UD ticket office at 866-944-8273 or log onto www.wgi.org

Winner and family with GM representatives

Winner Whaid Rose

CVB Awards Chevy TrailBlazer to Dayton Drives Excitement! Campaign Winner

Whaid Rose, a meeting planner from Colorado Springs for the Church of God 7th Day, sported an ear-to-ear grin as he was presented the keys to his brand new 2008 GM Chevrolet TrailBlazer 3LT SUV. “Now I know what it feels like to win something!” he beamed “and I’m definitely bringing an event to Dayton/Montgomery County.”

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau in a promotional partnership with the GM Moraine Truck Assembly Plant provides this outstanding incentive in their Dayton Drives Excitement campaign. Whaid is the winner of the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitor Bureau’s Dayton Drives Excitement! 2007 Campaign. Whaid’s name was drawn from a group of nearly 300 eligible meeting planners to win the two-year lease on a Dayton/Moraine assembled Chevy TrailBlazer. Whaid became eligible for the CVB sponsored vehicle lease drawing by completing a free Request For Proposal with the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau in calendar year 2007 or any future year. The CVB is working with Whaid on the possibility of hosting two conferences — one in the summer of 2011 for 2,000 people that would generate over 2,000 room nights in local hotel usage, and another in the fall of 2010 for 350 people.

According to Dayton/Montgomery County CVB President/CEO Jacquelyn Y. Powell, “The Dayton Drives Excitement! Campaign was spearheaded by the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau to generate exposure for Dayton/Montgomery County as a convention, meeting and event destination. The CVB is proud to promote GM, a major Dayton/Montgomery County employer, and 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 and the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau found the Dayton Drives Excitement Campaign helps differentiate us from the competition.”

The CVB is partnering again with the GM Moraine Assembly Plant in 2008 to host the Dayton Drives Excitement! 2008 promotional campaign. YOU could have an opportunity to win a FREE two-year lease on a 2009 GM Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS (Jan 2009—Jan 2011)! To be entered into the drawing simply:

• Contact a Dayton/Montgomery County CVB representative to obtain a complimentary proposal on hosting your next reunion, social or company event in Dayton/Montgomery County.
• Group must utilize a minimum of 25 peak Montgomery County hotel room nights
• Request For Proposal must be generated through the CVB in 2008
• Event can occur in 2008 or any future year

Contact us today at 937-226-8281 or www.daytoncvb.com. You’ve nothing to lose and something potentially great to win!

Amateur Radio Operators From Around The World Convene at Hamvention May 16-18

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to welcome Dayton Hamvention to Hara Complex for their 56th annual convention May 16-18, 2008.

Hamvention, the world’s largest amateur radio gathering, brings nearly 25,000 people, from all 50 states and from scores of foreign countries, to the greater Dayton area each year. Hamvention event attendees utilize hotel rooms throughout Montgomery County as well as surrounding counties such as Miami, Greene and Warren. The three-day May convention includes exhibits, a flea market, forums and education sessions.

“Hamvention is an exciting and important event for our community and has a significant economic impact on our local economy” states Jacquelyn Y. Powell, President/CEO of the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau congratulates Hamvention on their success and warmly welcomes them again to our community.

Created in 1952 by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, Hamvention has become the largest amateur radio and electronics gathering of its type in the world. For more information about Dayton Hamvention 2008 visit www.hamvention.org.

adidas Warrior Soccer Tournament Kicks Into Gear May 24-26

The 22nd annual adidas Warrior Soccer Classic Memorial Day Soccer Tournament will kick into gear May 24-26, 2008. The Tournament is recognized as the third largest youth soccer competition in the nation. Over 400 teams representing more than 6,000 youth soccer players from across the Midwest will compete on fields at Tom Cloud Park, Englewood Soccer Complex, Ankeney Soccer Complex, and NCR/Old River Park. According to Carol Maas, Tournament Co-Director, over 20,000 players, coaches and spectators attend the competition. The Tournament has gained outstanding recognition for its quality teams, referees, sites of play, and organization. Annually, the tournament generates $7.5 million in estimated economic impact on the area.

The adidas Warrior Soccer Tournament coordinators are also working diligently to develop a new recreation complex in the Greater Dayton area that can host portions of this tournament as well as other events. Ground could be broken as early as this year.

For more information on the tournament log onto www.warriorclassic.com.

US Air Force Hosts Freedom’s Call Military Tattoo June 27th

The fourth annual Freedom’s Call 2008 will take place Friday June 27th on the grounds behind the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Tattoo is open to the general public and admission and parking are free.

This year’s Tattoo theme will be “Thank the Troops and Families.” Tattoo will honor military members and their families for the sacrifices they make, and thank the community members for the support they provide to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force everyday The Tattoo is an adaptation of a time-honored military tradition, featuring ceremonial musical performances by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight, military aircraft flyovers, airpower demonstrations, static displays and evening fireworks.

Tentatively, gates open with pre-show activities at 4:30 p.m. The show will begin at 8pm and end with fireworks. The event can be accessed through the Museum main entrance on Springfield Pike (Gate 28B), and the gate at the intersection of Airway and Spinning Roads. Gate 22B will be open only for visitors with base identification. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a camera. For event information call 937-255-8046 ext. 496.

Farm Babies

Board of Trustees

Chairman
Larry Blake, Superintendent, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Vice Chairman
Ray Keyton, Executive Vice President, AAA Miami Valley
Treasurer
Larry Wheeler, General Manager, Dayton Airport Hotel
Secretary
Vail Miller Jr., Executive Vice President & Director of Sales, Heidelberg Distributing Co.
At Large
Brian Sharp, Vice President Regional Director of Stores Southern Ohio Indiana Region, Elder-Beerman
Immediate Past Chair
Debbie Watts
Ex-Officio
Carol Cleavenger, Montgomery County
General Counsel Ex-Officio
Alan Schaeffer, Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling
President/CEO & Ex-Officio
Jacquelyn Y. Powell

Dan Brazelton, Dean, Corporate/Community Services, Sinclair Community College
Bill Castro, Owner, El Meson Restaurant
Jim Dupre, General Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Don Griffin
Sandy Gudorf, President, Downtown Dayton Partnership
Brady Kress, President & CEO, Dayton History
Joe A. Lambright, Service Area Executive, American Red Cross
Brian McKenzie, General Manager, Holiday Inn Express Huber Heights
Ron Monte, General Manager, Holiday Inn Dayton Mall
John E. Moore, Jr., The JE Moore Group
Idotha Bootsie Neal, President, Wright Dunbar, Inc.
Penny Riggs, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott University of Dayton.

Sections/Features

Fast Facts

• Check out Dayton’s first annual Aviation Film Festival — Reel Stuff Film Festival of Aviation! — April 24-26, 2008 featuring 8 great movies and 8 star presenters. For details call 937-256-0944 ext. 11 or log onto www.reelstufffilmfest.com
• Don’t miss Aullwood Audubon Farm’s Farm Babies Fest Saturday, May 17th, a family oriented event with lots of farm babies, live entertainment, and delicious food. Admission is $5/car. Call 937-890-7360 for more information.
• Friday, May 16th celebrate Dayton’s Urban Nights! Twice a year, Downtown Dayton comes alive during a one-night festival featuring Dayton’s trendiest restaurants, bars, art galleries, and other creative spaces. On May 16th starting at 5pm come check out — live bands, performers, and roving street entertainers; downtown’s stylish urban living spaces; intriguing art galleries and studios; downtown restaurants with special discounts; local performing arts groups; Sideshow presented by the Dayton Circus Creative Collective; performance stages throughout downtown with a main stage and beer tent on Courthouse Square; detailed maps and free shuttles on a 15-minute rotation.
• The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to welcome Leslie Winslow to their staff as a part-time clerical assistant. Welcome Leslie!
• Congratulations to the Courtyard by Marriott University of Dayton on receiving a Clearly Green Award from their hotel company.
• Saturday May 24th you can enjoy the Meijer RiverBlast! at RiverScape MetroPark, a street festival with live entertainment and concerts with national performing artists. Call 937-275-PARK or log onto www.metroparks.org for more information.
• May 31—August 10 you can enjoy a special Dayton Art Institute exhibit — Ken Butler: Hybrid Visions. Butler’s playable hybrid musical instruments are made from household objects and tools. Call for times. The Dayton Art Institute. $. 937-223-4ART.
• June 15th you can Bike with a National Park Ranger: “The Gem City: Historic Homes & Sites of Dayton.” Explore Dayton’s rich history by bike, a mode of transportation rooted in the time of the Wright Brothers. 9am—11am with registration beginning at 8:30am. Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center. Free. Call 937-425-0008.
• June 21-22 enjoy the 3rd Annual Dayton Rail Fest at Carillon Historical Park. Small scale trains from around the country, vendors of all kinds and something for the train lover in everyone. $ Call 937-293-2841 ext. 101 or visit www.daytonhistory.org.
• Mark your calendars for the FREE Cityfolk Festival coming to downtown Dayton July 3-5, 2008.
• The Dayton/Montgomery County CVB welcomes a new brand to our county’s hotel inventory: Hawthorn Suites. The Hawthorn Suites Dayton South which has 96 rooms is located at 155 Prestige Place, Miamisburg 937-434-7881. The Hawthorn Suites Dayton North is located at 7070 Poe Ave, Dayton 937-898-7764 and offers 64 guest rooms. (both properties were formerly Residence Inns by Marriott)
• Congratulations to the Dayton Marriott for being recognized by the American Psychological Association with a “Best Practices Honor” for Alliance For Work-Based Education
• Congratulations to the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra which celebrates its 75th season this year! The Philharmonic offers a variety of blockbuster works of classical music, as well as a Pops Series with jazz, rock, gospel and Hollywood music the Demirjian Chamber Orchestra Series, with traditional and unusual combinations of voice, strings, winds, brass and percussion; and the Time Warner Cable Family Series, hosting performances with the whole family in mind. Add a performance to your 2008 schedule! Box Office Mon-Fri 10am-6pm 937-228-3630
  
• The weather is turning nice and it’s time to get outdoors. Enjoy any of the more than 16,000 acres of natural wonder available in the Dayton/Montgomery County area’s Five Rivers MetroParks. For more information call 937-275-PARK or visit www.metroparks.org Or for information and maps of area recreation trails, perfect for biking, hiking, running or skating, log onto www.miamiconservancy.org

Contact the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau today for your free Destination Dayton Visitors Guide. 937-226-8211 or 800-221-8235 or www.daytoncvb.com

Help Us Welcome These Groups

Following are a few of the larger events and conventions coming shortly to Dayton/Montgomery County:

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!

On The Road

Here’s a sampling of where Bureau staff is headed in our ongoing effort to bring business to Dayton/Montgomery County.

Jacquelyn Y. Powell
President/CEO
Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau

CVB Staff

President/CEO:
Jacquelyn Y. Powell
Director of Marketing & Communications:
Beverly Rose
Director of Sales:
Anna Nash
Sales Managers:
Mary Bloyd, Ronald Eifert, Carmen Huffman, Dee Cox
Convention Services Manager:
Donna Michael
Convention Services Coordinator:
Annie Solomon
Executive Assistant:
Lynn Gathagan
Administrative Assistant:
Joyce Fickert
Visitor Information Specialist:
Anita White
Clerical Assistant:
Leslie Winslow
Visitor Information:
Foster “Bud” Brown, W.T. Brown, William Dix, Cecil Jones, Mikell “Mike” Kloeters, Gwen Lee, Martha Tollefson
Dayton Ambassadors:
Birdie Bruce, Betty Clark, Tim Connair, Delmar Dunning, Donna Edly, Harriet Fitzsimmons, Ina Green, Raymond Green, Bernadine Gregory, Christina Miller, Jane Moore, Carol O’Connell, Bertha Olgetree, Cecil Jones, Geri Primm, Inge Rhinehelder, John Rhinehelder, Mary Lou Ruef, Bonnie Salyer, Lorna Schoenberger, Sarah Seagraves, Denise Shannon, Linda Shaw, Jean Steele, Alan Twehues, Suzanne Twehues, Mary Winfree

President’s Corner
Celebrate National Tourism Week May 12-16, 2008

In recognition of travel and tourism’s tremendous economic, social and cultural impact in Dayton/Montgomery County, the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau plans to celebrate National Tourism Week May 12-16, 2008. This annual celebration is sponsored nationally by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA.) The Washington DC based, non-profit association represents and speaks for the common interests and concerns of all components of the US travel industry.

National Tourism Week was first established in 1983, when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May 1984. The CVB has planned a number of activities to celebrate the 2008 National Tourism Week.

Participate in the kick-off press conference that will be held Monday May 12th at noon on Courthouse Square at Third and Main Streets in downtown Dayton. Between 11am—1pm wander among the area’s various exhibiting attraction, hotel, meeting venue and restaurant table top displays. Learn about the newly launched Dayton/Montgomery County Kid’s Corridor initiative, about the significant economic impact tourism and events have on our local economy, and about how you can be a tourist in your own backyard!

Monday May 12th—Friday May 16th, you’ll want to tune in and listen to any of the eight area Clear Channel radio stations (WONE/WIZE AM 1340, Mix FM 107.7, WTUE FM 104.7, Lite 99.9 FM, The X 103.9 FM, WDSJ 106.5 FM, WDKF 94.5 FM). DJs will be asking listeners Dayton trivia questions. Callers with the correct answers will win prizes to area hospitality venues ranging from complimentary hotel stays to free attraction admission tickets and restaurant dining coupons.

Thursday, May 15th , the CVB will co-sponsor with the Ohio Department of Travel & Tourism a free www.discoverohio.com training session at Sinclair Center. Hospitality partners will learn how to place information and special promotional packages relating to their business on the state of Ohio’s website which receives over 150,000 unique visitors each month. Wednesday May 14th, the CVB will deliver two CVB created front desk resource books — “Ask Me About Dayton” a concierge guide and “Know Your CVB” a book outlining how to partner with the CVB to promote our destination and their business — to nearly 100 Dayton/Montgomery County hotels/motels, attractions and meeting venues.

Tourism is big business! The economic impact of travel and tourism contributes positively to our local quality of life and to our business climate. During National Tourism Week we step back to thank our visitors for their patronage, honor the employees who serve them and to show our pride for our destination and our industry. The CVB encourages you to visit the many wonderful assets in Dayton/ Montgomery County and to Be A Tourist In Your Own Backyard!

Jacquelyn Y. Powell

Copyright © 2008 Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.
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