August 11, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE…
- VSCC Announces Virtual Events for Fall, Continues to Promote Open Businesses
- Citations Issued for Public Health Order Non-Compliances
- VSCC to (Virtually) Attend All Things Meetings
PAST TRAVEL FORECASTS…
- January 2020
- February 2020
- March 2, 2020
- March 12, 2020
AprilMayJune- July 17, 2020
- July 29, 2020
- August 4, 2020
- August 11, 2020
VSCC Announces Virtual Events for Fall, Continues to Promote Open Businesses
With back-to-school taking place and former hands-on activities being replaced with virtual experiences, VSCC has created a roundup of things to do from home for locals and visitors. Paired with restaurants featuring outdoor dining, hotels which are hosting guests, and retailers open for business, there are a number of ways to experience Santa Cruz County this summer. Use the links in this story to recommend these businesses to guests, clients, and customers!
Enrichment experiences are outlined in VSCC’s newest blog story, where California state parks are featuring interactive programs about slithery snakes, nocturnal animals, and sharks among other topics. Bookshop Santa Cruz is hosting a free online event with a pioneer of green architecture, and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is honoring its 115th anniversary with a virtual tour. These businesses are also open and include COVID preventative measures they have enlisted to ensure the health and safety of staff and guests. The webpage is searchable in terms of things to do, places to stay, and where to eat.
Do you have a virtual event or enrichment experience you’d like us to add to our blog story? Let us know about it by submitting your event here!
Citations Issued for Public Health Order Non-Compliance
Last week, Santa Cruz County joined nearly two dozen cities and counties issuing fines for violations of a state and local health order. The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an urgency ordinance which allows law enforcement officers and others to issue citations which range from fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $500 for a third within a calendar year, effective immediately. The new ordinance applies only in unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. The City of Scotts Valley also recently announced $100 citations for face mask violations. To date, there are 1,238 known cases of coronavirus in Santa Cruz County. This announcement was made just ahead of the news that local testing capacity is increasing to 600 – 800 tests a day through funding from the CARES act and the purchase of additional laboratory equipment for the UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab.
The ordinance covers all aspects of state and local public health orders, including the local order to wear face coverings. Residents are urged to continue to wear face coverings, maintain physical distancing, avoid gathering in groups outside your household, and practice safe hygiene including washing your hands with soap and water frequently. The County’s primary objective continues to be educating individuals on health order requirements. The lower level of enforcement allows law enforcement officers and administrative staff to support community health and safety by quickly addressing situations without escalating them into court cases or arrests.
VSCC to (Virtually) Attend All Things Meetings
VSCC’s presence at the annual All Things Meetings’ Reception and Trade Show will be virtual this year, taking place next month online. The event will be marketed to qualified meeting planners across the country. All Things Meetings is normally marketed only to northern California meeting planners, attracting over 500 RSVPs and 350 attendees. The virtual event will be marketed to ten times the number of planners normally invited. Chuck Ryder, VSCC Sales and Marketing Director, will be connecting with potential event-planning clients, and familiarize them with what Santa Cruz County has to offer as a conference and meeting destination. The Santa Cruz Dream Inn, Chaminade Resort and Spa, and the Hilton Santa Cruz / Scotts Valley will also be attending.
Exhibitors’ booths are live streaming video chat rooms complete with logo, pictures, and links to sales material to download. Exhibitors can see who is in their room and address them via video in real-time, by chat, or by private message. The attendee can communicate via video, chat, or private message. ATM connects planners with properties, DMOs, team-building services, and everything else a planner might need to host an event in Santa Cruz County. Through the use of technology, exhibitors can participate in robust networking capabilities including a Networking Lounge. Those who choose to enter can send and receive messages from others in the room.
CHLA Membership Reminder
Attention lodging properties: as TMD members, you also are a member of the California Hotel & Lodging Association. This enables you to receive PPE and Clean and Safe Certification for your property. Only 41 properties so far have taken advantage of Clean & Safe certification. Click here for more information!
Calling All VSCC Partners!
VSCC is seeking photos of staff from local lodging, restaurant, retail, and attraction partners who have taken the Safety Pledge. Send us your safety pledge photos to be featured on visitsantacruz.org and our social media channels!
Arrivals and Departures
Welcome Josh Belcher, new General Manager at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley!
Outstanding Award!
The City of Santa Cruz has received a 2020 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Award for its San Lorenzo River Parkway Phase III/Trestle Trail Project from the League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and California State Association of Counties. The Trestle Trail was recognized with top honors in the Efficient and Sustainable Bridge Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction Projects category among many statewide submissions for creative projects that improve local transportation systems while promoting fiscal and environmental sustainability.
DID YOU KNOW…
that Roaring Camp Railroads has been nominated in a USAToday poll for Best Scenic Train Ride? Cast your vote early and often (you can vote once a day) now through August 17th! Roaring Camp will receive national recognition in USAToday’s Reader’s Choice Awards and a write-up.