September 16, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE…
- VSCC Launches Phase Two of “Let’s Cruz Safely” Fall Campaign
- VSCC Encourages Local Organizations and Event Planners to Submit Virtual Events for Free to SantaCruzEvents.com
- Santa Cruz County Film Commission Announces Call for Free Local Businesses to List on FilmInSantaCruz.org
PAST TRAVEL FORECASTS…
VSCC Launches Phase Two of “Let’s Cruz Safely” Fall Campaign
The effects of COVID-19 have placed local Santa Cruz County businesses under unprecedented economic hardship; now, phase two of a collaborative effort to encourage locals and visitors to “spend money safely” in our shops and restaurants is underway. In an effort to support local businesses as Santa Cruz County reopens for visitors, VSCC has launched two broadcast spots which illustrate the Safety Pledge Campaign a way to encourage locals and visitors to patronize our retail shops, restaurants, attractions and hotels: businesses which have historically relied on the busy summer season to stay open. There are two targeted audiences of the Let’s Cruz Safely campaign: local residents and visitors within Santa Cruz County’s regional drive markets. The message is that together we can shop, dine, and recreate safely, whether you are a local or a visitor. The campaign kicks off this week. Here is how you can help support these efforts:
Central to the campaign are two 30-second commercial spots which will air locally and in regional drive markets and which feature local business owners intermixed with scenic shots of the area. Between the two spots, Kendra Baker from The Penny Ice Creamery, Emily Thomas from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing are featured alongside Shadowbrook restaurant, the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, Roaring Camp Railroads, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and Mount Hermon Adventures. The broadcast commercials are supported by digital campaigns in the San Francisco Bay area and central valley and locally in the Good Times and Edible Monterey Bay. Traditional media relations and social media efforts round out the effort. Click here to watch the local commercial and here to watch the regional commercial.
VSCC is asking for your help by contacting your local elected officials and voicing your support of these reopening efforts. It is critical that our elected officials and community leaders understand the urgency and importance of supporting our local businesses.
Another way to support our efforts is to write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper; if you need assistance with copy points or contact information for local outlets, please contact VSCC.
You can also post a Let’s Cruz Safely Pledge logo to your social media channels.
These two broadcast spots emphasize that local business owners have established safety protocols for staff and patrons including signage, requiring masks, and designating social distancing. Phase one of the Safety Pledge campaign involved VSCC staff canvassing local businesses with collateral materials in July, ensuring that the community had signage for their storefronts relaying their safety protocols to patrons and guests.
VSCC Encourages Local Organizations and Event Planners to Submit Virtual Events for Free to SantaCruzEvents.com
As the fall months approach and the community prepares for fall, VSCC is encouraging local organizations and businesses to utilize www.santacruzevents.com to submit their virtual events as the shoulder season approaches. This free tool is available on a year-around basis and allows for over 1 million visitors to the website to find out about virtual tours and experiences and distance learning opportunities.
Submitting an event is free, easy, and accessible on www.santacruzevents.com: an online form can be found from a link on the Events section of the website. To qualify for inclusion on VSCC’s site, the event must take place within Santa Cruz County, be submitted 14 days or more in advance, and be of interest to visitors to Santa Cruz County. Events can be submitted up to one year in advance. All events require a photo to accompany the information to be featured on the site. VSCC provides step-by-step instructions to assist in submitting event information.
Santa Cruz County Film Commission Announces Call for Free Local Businesses to List on FilmInSantaCruz.org
The Santa Cruz County Film Commission – a department within Visit Santa Cruz County – is now accepting applications for business listings. Local crews, equipment rentals, and support services – businesses which offer production crews skills or services while filming locally – will be listed free of charge on www.filminsantacruz.org
The film commission website provides production companies and creative agencies with comprehensive lists of local workers to supplement their film crews, and local businesses from which to utilize services and equipment. The site also provides permitting information, weather information, and a locations gallery of images.
This online production guide is a valuable resource for producers who make decisions on who to hire, where to rent equipment, and where to buy supplies
Online listing applications are available here on an ongoing basis. Applications will be reviewed by film commission staff and uploaded to the website. Submission of an application does not guarantee inclusion on www.filminsantacruz.org
For more information on the Santa Cruz County Film Commission and to see a list of production credits, visit www.filminsantacruz.org
Put a Pin in It!
VSCC has launched a new social media platform! Designed as a way to create digital inspiration boards on a variety of topics, Pinterest is one of the first places travelers go when starting to plan their next adventure. VSCC’s Pinterest board can fill the need to plan for future travel to those social media-savvy consumers needing to quench their wanderlust with partner photos and travel ideas. Wedding information is one of the more popular boards Pinterest-lovers seek out: we’ve got that covered too, featuring VSCC wedding partners and services!
Get Counted
Reminder: September 30th is the deadline to take the 2020 Census, which takes a few minutes and can be done online at www.2020Census.gov or by calling 844.330.2020. Responding to the Census is more important than ever because having a full and accurate count of residents is critical for emergency response and recovery. Data from the 2020 Census will provide baseline numbers not only for funding of federal disaster relief, but also support for preparation, rescue coordination and where resources are deployed over the long term.
Partner News
Congratulations Carrie Arnone, new CEO of the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce!
Call for Photographers and Muralists
September 25th is the deadline for artists to submit photos and mural designs for An Act of Love-Wearing Masks During the Pandemic, a new exhibit hosted by Pajaro Valley Arts and the City of Watsonville. Movable Murals will be featured at 250 Main Street and will showcase large-scale paintings and digital work. Photographers are asked to submit up to three photographs of themselves, their family, friends (including furry friends), and/or essential workers wearing protective masks. Click here for more information for muralists and photographers.
Did you know……
that airlines are enforcing stricter face mask policies? This summer, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines are among the carriers adopting a new policy of no mask, no travel, no exceptions moving forward. Southwest Airlines recently revised its face mask policy and now only accepts well-secured face coverings that fit snugly against the face, cover an individual’s nose and mouth and secured under the chin. Masks with holes like exhaust valves, bandanas and face shields without a covering over the mouth and nose are now not allowed. So put up your tray table: and your mask!