Quarterly Newsletter
Transcription
Quarterly Newsletter
INSIDE THIS EDITION Letter from the Chairman New CVB Staff Named The House of Blues Opens The Buzz Calendar of Events www.VisitTheWoodlands.com THE BUZZ MEET THE TEAM The best part of summer in The Woodlands is that as the weather heats up, so does the fun! Read about Hughes Landing getting a coastal twist with a classic name, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s luxurious add-on and your favorite July 4th festival returning for its nineteenth year. The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau’s partners and board make the daily operations of the staff possible. Get to know the people behind the possibilities, and don’t forget to check out the two new titles behind some familiar faces. Follow the CVB on social media. Read more about how to stay connected! CURRENT | Summer 2016 Hello Friends and Families of The Woodlands! As Chairman of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, I welcome you to the summer edition of Current. Inside this edition you will find the latest information on the many upcoming summer activities being offered along with information about the new facility open for concert goers to enjoy this season at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion before they spread out their picnic blankets on the grassy lawn and enjoy their favorite musician. Here in The Woodlands there’s a little something for everyone in the summer. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy one of 135 local parks or take a bike ride or hike through the 1,700-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve. Families can relax in a lazy river, on a kayak or in one of the area’s interactive water features, and couples can take in the sunset and a wine menu in one of the area’s preeminent dining delights. Part of the magic of The Woodlands this time of year is the proud patriotic tradition of 4th of July weekend activities. This year, plan a four day stay for the perfect fun filled vacation. Get here Friday night and see what The Woodlands has to offer! All the Fourth of July fun starts July 3rd with the Star-Spangled Salute featuring the magnificent Houston Symphony at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The morning of July 4th, find the perfect spot to take in our community-wide parade before donning your red, white and blue gear for the festival named after our country’s colors. Don’t miss the 19th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by CHI St. Luke’s Health – The Woodlands Hospital, Waste Management, Kevin Brady for Congress, The Woodlands Development Company, Wells Fargo and HEB. Plan a weekend you won’t forget with details inside Current or go to www.visitthewoodlands.com/fourth-of-july/ to learn more. We hope you will join us this summer and share your experiences on one of our social media pages. Have a happy and safe summer. Gordy Bunch Chairman of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Jeff Long Vice Chairman Dr. Ann Snyder Secretary/Treasurer Gordy Bunch Chairman Jeff Long Vice Chairman Dr. Ann Snyder Secretary/Treasurer 2 Fred Domenick Director J.J. Hollie Director Don Norrell Director Greg Parsons Director Fred Domenick Director Nick Wolda President Molly Redus Marketing Specialist J. J. Hollie Director Emilie Harris Brand Development Manager Danielle Gatlin Administrative Assistant Don Norrell Director Greg Parsons Director Alie Broussard Convention Development Manager Mariana Almanza Intern CVB PROMOTES STAFF TO NEW POSITIONS Familiar Faces The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau has named Alie Broussard to Convention Development Manager and Emilie Harris to Brand Development Manager for The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau. Both Harris and Broussard have served the Convention and Visitors Bureau in different capacities prior to their new roles. In her new role, Broussard will promote The Woodlands to businesses, associations, and various groups for meetings and events, and assist with meeting coordination while acting as lead contact for meeting planners and hotels. “Alie is well-versed in the tourism industry and has a background working with convention business in hotels,” says Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We look forward to her management of the outstanding group sales program.” Ms. Harris will oversee all marketing and public relations efforts at the CVB including advertising, special promotions and social engagement – all designed to promote The Woodlands as a premier destination for corporate and convention meetings, leisure travel, events and festivals. “Emilie has been an integral part of this team and brings to the table new and innovative ideas,” says Wolda. “We know that she will continue to position The Woodlands as a destination for corporate and leisure travelers.” For information on The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, please go to : www.VisitTheWoodlands. com/ or call 281-363-2447. “Like” the CVB on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VisitTheWoodlands, “follow” them on Instagram www.instagram.com/visitthewoodlandstx and Twitter at @TheWoodlandsCVB and “view” them on YouTube www.youtube.com/TheWoodlandsCVB. STAYING CONNECTED TO THE CVB Chatting you Up In 2016, The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau Twitter, Facebook and Instagram platforms went through a complete overhaul. In order to engage potential visitors and partners across social channels to create awareness of The Woodlands as a destination for travel, content was reformatted and a new approach was taken. Since our social media revamp, followers and engagement continue to climb. Most notably, Twitter impressions have increased by 136%, Instagram followers have increased by 40% and the conversion of Facebook followers to website views has increased by 144%. Staff is looking forward to more technology advancement in 2016 including a website overhaul and continued efforts in the social stratosphere. Are you following us on all platforms? Stay in touch with us by following us on Twitter at @TheWoodlandsCVB, Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitthewoodlands and Instagram at @VisitTheWoodlandsTX. 13 COPA RAYADOS INTERNACIONAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT GOAL! To learn more visit www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2016/ The Woodlands, Texas will be the new home this year for the Copa Rayados Internacional Soccer Tournament. The soccer tournament is internationally recognized and produced by the Club de Fútbol Monterrey Rayados, a Mexican football club from Monterrey Nuevo León and Premier Soccer Services Incorporated, an events and consulting service organization specializing in youth soccer tournaments. service organization that has been in business since 2007. The company hosts youth soccer tournaments, coaching education clinics, soccer development programming and more! Premier Soccer Services produces ongoing events year round including: The Open Cup in Decatur, AL, The Naples Cup in Naples, FL and Copa Rayados Internacional to name a few. The Copa Rayados Internacional Soccer Tournament will bring many international travelers to The Woodlands area not only to play soccer, but to experience The Woodlands and all of the amenities the area has to offer. The tournament will take place in The Woodlands, TX on November 23rd-27th. The Club de Futbol Monterrey was founded on June 28th, 1945. It is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico. The club is owned by FEMSA, which is Latin America’s largest bottling company and has accomplished much success within the past few years. The club recently won the CONCACAF Champions League in 2013, 2012, and 2011. The CONCACAF is a league that consists of the top football teams within North America. Premier Soccer Services Incorporated is an events and consulting The tournament director is expecting about 160-200 teams to register for the November tournament, estimating about 30% of those teams to be from outside the United States. The tournament will utilize The Woodlands’ all weather turf fields, which allow players the ability to play, rain or shine. For more information about the soccer tournament, please visit: http://www.coparayados.com/index.html SHOOTOUT FOR SOLDIERS Lacrosse for a Cause To learn more visit http://shootoutforsoldiers.com/ Shootout for Soldiers is a 24-hour lacrosse tournament, benefiting wounded American military members. The mission of Shootout for Soldiers is to use the platform of lacrosse to engage communities with their local veterans and support their healthy and successful transition into civilian life. This is the first year that the event will take place in The Woodlands, with the expectation of having 48 teams participating in the tournament. The tournament will take place on July 8th-9th at one of The Woodlands’ sports complexes. Lacrosse has become one of the fastest growing sports across the United States, per a study done by Buzzfeed in 2014, which in turn has enabled Shootout for Soldiers to expand their event to other 4 cities around the U.S. The event started in Baltimore, MD in 2012 by high school students and is now being held in 8 different states. These 8 locations include: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, California, Colorado, Long Island, Ohio and Texas. Since its inception in 2012, Shootout for Soldiers has raised $916,000 to benefit veterans. Shootout for Soldiers focuses their financial support on four profoundly efficient charities nationally which are: Team Red White & Blue, Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, Semper FI Fund, and Gary Sinise Foundation. In addition to these 4 national charities, Shootout for Soldiers chooses 2 local charities per event location. The two local charities that have been selected for Texas are the Green Beret Foundation and the Lone Survivor Foundation. The layout of the tournament is not like a traditional tournament. Each team is required to raise a minimum of $750.00 to secure their one hour time slot. The tournament is open to men and women of all ages. The tournament consists of 24 consecutive one-hour games, Stars versus Stripes, with a running twenty-four hour score. Alongside the tournament, the event will also consist of a raffle and silent auction, food and drinks, meet and greet with Major League Lacrosse stars, fun games and music! The event is free to the public. THE HOUSE OF BLUES OPENS A State of the Art Facility To learn more visit www.woodlandscenter.org In addition to housing the ice rink, the new facility will provide a new incentive for artists to consider The Pavilion over neighboring venues. The space will be the home of The House of Blues, outreach programs, special events and The Woodlands Ice Rink. Community leaders united to celebrate the opening of the facility on April 29th. Leaders from both The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and The Woodlands Township officially opened The Pavilion Event Center on Friday, April 29. Tours were offered showcasing the features within the facility. The celebration was concluded with remarks and a toast from The Pavilion Board Chairman, Joe Ash, as well Township Board Chairman, Dr. Ed Robb. programming.” “Having this new Event Center will help us to stay competitive in the market,” says The Pavilion President and CEO, Jerry MacDonald. “We will now be able to provide more of what artists want, giving us an edge so we can continue to deliver quality “The Woodlands is a world-class community with top-notch facilities, and this opening today takes The Woodlands’ entertainment offerings to the next level,” said Township Chairman Dr. Ed Robb. “Our partnership with The Pavilion in opening this facility will provide years of enjoyment.” The 21,000 square foot multi-purpose facility provides The Pavilion with a new, dynamic event center. Two moveable “air” walls can divide it into three separate rooms, each with state-of-the-art multimedia capabilities. The new Event Center is located on the former House of Blues Hospitality Tent site at The Pavilion and extends to Lake Robbins Drive. The Ovation and Encore Suites within the Event Center are also available for private functions. One room will serve as the House of Blues Lounge, which will open to concertgoers one hour before the gates and close one hour after the show. Guests can purchase food and beverages, cool off, and/ or utilize the expansive restroom facilities before, during, or after a concert. This space will also host educational outreach programs and the annual Children’s Festival. If you would like more information about The Pavilion, please visit www.woodlandscenter.org. Look for The Pavilion on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, or download The Pavilion’s iOS or Android app. TRULUCK’S OPENS IN HUGHES LANDING Coastal Cuisine with a Lakefront View Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, and Crab House is now open in The Woodlands, with a dining concept based on fresh seafood, exceptional steaks, fresh crab from around the globe, and an unsurpassed wine selection. The restaurant’s commitment to bringing fresh crab to the marketplace is supported by its own fleet of crabbing boats at their fishery in the Gulf of Mexico on the Isle of Capri just outside of Naples, Florida. Environmental steward- ship and sustainability drive all aspects of Truluck’s operations. “Truluck’s works hard to bring our customers the best tasting sustainable products that make sense for the plate, palate, and planet,” says David Tripoli, Truluck’s Operating Partner and Director of Marketing. “We believe that as responsible restaurateurs, we must be champions in the movement of sustainable seafood. At Truluck’s we care about taste, quality, people and the health of our planet.” Truluck’s brand-new, 10,000-square-foot Woodlands restaurant features the Stone Crab Lounge, two private party rooms, and an elegant dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of Lake Woodlands. “We are honored to bring the Truluck’s experience to The Woodlands,” said Tripoli. Truluck’s is located in Restaurant Row at Hughes Landing on Lake Woodlands. Please call 214-465-700 for more information. 5 THE 19TH ANNUAL RED, HOT & BLUE FESTIVAL RETURNS A Patriotic Celebration Getaway To learn more visit www.visitthewoodlands.com/fourth-of-july Monday, July 4 at 5:30 p.m. – Hughes Landing will feature the country and rock sounds of Sawdust Road beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Hughes Landing Bandstand presented by America’s ER. Couples looking to watch the sunset and take in the sips and bites at Restaurant Row should consider this the perfect option. Visitors are encouraged to come early and stay for a four-day getaway. Friday and Saturday, spend the day shopping, dining and biking around The Woodlands before the real Fourth of July activities begin. Sunday, July 3 at 8 p.m. – Free Concert: The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion will host its annual Star-Spangled Salute concert. This free concert features the Houston Symphony performing a selection of patriotic classics. Monday, July 4 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. – The 19th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival comes to Town Green Park and Waterway Square, both located along The Woodlands Waterway®. Enjoy vendor booths, great food and children’s activities. The event culminates with one of the largest fireworks displays in the Greater Houston area with the 20+ minute Fireworks Extravaganza over The Woodlands Town Center. This event is sponsored by CHI St. Luke’s Health - The Woodlands Hospital, The Woodlands Development Company, Wells Fargo, HEB, Kevin Brady for Congress and Waste Management. To listen to the simulcast wherever you’re taking in the fireworks, tune in to 104.1 KRBE and enjoy the latest hits as a background to this incredible show lighting up the night sky. Monday, July 4 at 9 a.m. – Parade: The “Music of America” themed July 4th parade starts at the intersection of Grogan’s Mill Road and Lake Woodlands Drive and continues to Market Street. “The signature Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza will once again be a classic Fourth of July celebration perfect for vacationing families in the summer,” says Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The festival makes for a great summer getaway with the long weekend and different activities for visitors to choose from.” Monday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Riva Row Boat House and Lakes Edge Boat House host “Kayaking on Lake Woodlands.” Kayaks are available for rent. To book a 4th of July weekend getaway in The Woodlands and to see all the activities, promotions and suggested itineraries for the weekend, go to www.visitthewoodlands.com/fourth-of-july. A BANNER YEAR The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival 2016 Sets New Attendance Record The 11th Annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival attracted more than 19,000 art lovers and over 200 juried fine artists to the spectacular setting of The Woodlands Waterway, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 8 – 10. Ranked one of the top fine arts festivals in the country, the three-day celebration of the arts and culture included the wildly popular Art Dash Party, a fun and informal Artist-Patron event; First Look Friday presented by MD Anderson Cancer Center; the new Terrace Hospitality Club presented by Glade Gallery; plus children’s activities at Artopoly and the Early Inspiration Gallery; live music from great, local bands; and delicious food and beverages from a variety of food vendors. “We had more to offer at the 2016 Festival than ever before,” said Amy Lecocq, President of the Board of The Woodlands Arts Council. “Our guests and artists really appreciated 6 the quality and variety of the art, along with the fun activities for art lovers of all ages. We were also blessed with many generous sponsors and three gorgeous spring days for our Festival!” “The record-breaking success of this year’s Festival is due, in large part, to our anchor sponsors, The Woodlands Development Company, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, MercedesBenz of The Woodlands, Stella Artois and KHOU 11,” Lecocq said. “We wish to thank them for their continued commitment to the arts and culture in our community… because art matters!” The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is produced annually by The Woodlands Arts Council, a 501 (c) 3 organization that provides regional cultural and educational enrichment opportunities that encourage, support and promote the visual and performing arts. WINE AND FOOD WEEK 2016 Wine & Dine To learn more visit www.wineandfoodweek.com The “Wizard Gourmet” this year was former Houstonian Tristen Epps, a finalist on “The Taste,” and now a chef with the Marcus Samuelsson Group in New York City. Epps is passionate about food and believes “my next dish will be my best dish.” He took part in Wine & Food Week’s Big Three events. “Houston and New York are two of the best culinary cities in the country,” said Constance McDerby, principal of Food & Vine Time Productions, and one of the founders of Wine & Food Week. “Houston is home to more than 10,000 restaurants, 70 international cuisines, and many different wines, and Wine & Food Week takes pride in featuring the best of the best.” Wine Walk 2016 was hosted at Market Street on Thursday, June 9. Thousands flocked to The Woodlands June 6-12 for the 12th annual Wine & Food Week 2016 to celebrate “A New York State of Mind.” The region’s largest culinary and wine event from New Orleans to Aspen draws culinary masters and wine experts from around the world. This year’s Big Three events included H-E-B Wine Walk @ Market Street, a taste and stroll experience featuring wine and light bites at more than 40 tasting stations; Sips, Suds & Tacos, a Texas-size celebration featuring live music, craft beers, value wines and a gourmet “Taco Takedown” competition on Friday; and the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase, where guests sampled delectable cuisine and hundreds of wines as chefs competed for Wine & Food Week’s Waterford Crystal Chef of Chefs Award and a $5,000 cash prize. Wine & Food Week is the first culinary and wine event to promote locally sourced and sustainable products. Since its inception in 2005, the event founders have donated over $850,000 to local charities. THE BEST FLIGHTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM Care to Share? kateymcfarlan Best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had. And this girl loves a good Bloody Mary. #VisitTheWoodlands #GirlsWeekend #BloodyMary Fielding’s Local Kitchen + Bar is the best choice if you’re indecisive or you’ve got a group who wants to sample a bit of everything. Their “Build The Flight” option comes in Bloody Mary and Mimosa. Just take it from blogger, Katey McFarlan, this recipe is worth the taste! Something else she recommends? The French toast – she swears it’s the best thing on the menu. californiapizzakitchen Keep your tray tables up + prepare for the flight of your life We have our favorite restaurants out on rotation, but when California Pizza Kitchen opened in Hughes Landing last year, we had to figure out a new schedule to fit in routine trips. The classic favorites of CPK pair well with their inventive cocktails, and we’re especially fond of all three flavors of sangria in this flight. With flavors like Orchard, Red-Berry and a Seasonal spin, you can’t go wrong. bridget350 When you choose a flight of wine based partially on the name… When we’re feeling a little bit fancier, we like to head on over to Cru Wine Bar in Market Street for their sassy flights including this one named Pretty Fly For A White Wine. Bonus? They also have champagne flights that are just as delicious! If we’re recommending pairings, we can’t let you leave without trying the goat cheese beignet appetizer. New Orleans may be a state away, but this spin on a signature dish makes the French Quarter feel like a neighbor. 7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS No. 111 July 3rd 8:00 pm Star Spangled Salute with the Houston Symphony The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 4th 9:00 am - 10:30 am South County 4th of July Parade Market Street July 4th 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Red, Hot & Blue Festival & Fireworks Extravaganza Town Green Park July 5th 7:00 pm Twenty One Pilots The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 7th 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing July 9th 8:00 pm Jim Gaffigan The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 14th 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing July 21st 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing July 21st 8:00 pm DreamWorks Animation™ in Concert with the Houston Symphony The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 23rd 7:00 pm Pitbull with Prince Royce The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 28th 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing July 29th 7:00 pm Meghan Trainor with Hailee Steinfeld The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 30th 3:00 pm The Carnival of Madness Tour 2016 The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 31st 7:00 pm BLINK 182 with A Day to Remember and The All-American Rejects The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 3rd 6:30 pm Rob Zombie & Korn with In This Moment The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 4th 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing August 4th 7:00 pm Lynyrd Skynyrd & Peter Frampton The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 6th 7:00 pm Dixie Chicks The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 7th 5:30 pm Sublime with Rome and 311 The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 11th 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing August 12th 7:15 pm Hank Williams Jr. and Chris Stapleton The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 13th 6:30 pm Disturbed & Breaking Benjamin with Alter Bridge & Saint Asonia The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 13th – 14th Sat 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Fall Home and Garden Show Waterway Marriott August 14th 7:00 pm August 18th 7:00 pm 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. The Woodlands, Texas 77381 August 19th 6:30 pm Heart with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Cheap Trick The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 20th 7:00 pm Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 21st 7:00 pm Dierks Bentley with Randy Houser, Cam and Tucker Beathard The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 22nd 7:00 pm Def Leppard with REO Speedwagon and Tesla The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 25th 7:00 pm Rock the Row Hughes Landing August 26th 6:30 pm Slipknot with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice and Men The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 27th 8:00 pm Sound of Music Sing-A-Long The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 2nd 8:00 pm Music of the Rolling Stones with the Houston Symphony The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 3 – 4th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Labor Day Weekend Waterway Square September 5th 8:00 pm Fifth Harmony with Jack & Jack The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 8th 7:00 pm Goo Goo Dolls & Collective Soul with Tribe Society The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 15th 8:00 pm Hispanic Heritage Celebration with the Houston Symphony The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 18th 7:30 pm 5 Seconds of Summer The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 23rd 8:00 pm Ray LaMontagne The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Gwen Stefani with Eve The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 24th 7:30 pm Alabama Shakes with Corinne Bailey Rae The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Rock the Row Hughes Landing September 25th 6:45 pm .Counting Crows and Rob Thomas with K Phillips CONNECT WITH US Request our free Visitor Guide by going to VisitTheWoodlands.com. Keep up with all the exciting things happening in The Woodlands by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion