3504-21_CabCVB_AnnualReport_2021.indd

PA R T N E R S H I P R E P O R T

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH PARTNERS WAS PARAMOUNT DURING COVID19 AND WE DID SO BY KEEPING PARTNERS ABREAST OF ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT WOULD AFFECT THEM. One of the first areas we targeted were the restaurants in Cabarrus County. The CVB staff made calls two to three times each week and updated their critical information (opening/closing times and services offered). The list was updated and emailed to partners twice a week. It was also placed on our website and Facebook page, CabarrUS Tourism Partners. Contact with other hospitality segments was also ongoing to determine who was opening and when. This information was also relayed through the same channels. Once we opened back up, we were able to visit new businesses making initial contact with thirty-five new partners and four established businesses which had not engaged with the CVB yet. As a follow-up with the new businesses, they received an email giving them access to our extranet which enables them to receive leads, invites and miscellaneous information from us. They later received another follow up from us giving them the link to their listing on our website and the opportunity to make changes as needed. This last step is always a very effective way to keep partners engaged. E M A I L / V I R T U A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S - C O V I D S P E C I F I C Continuous communication to Partners regarding resources, state-wide updates, upcoming webinars, etc. were made throughout the year particularly as it related to COVID. These included updates from Governor Cooper’s office, N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association, N.C. Small Business Administration, The Chamber of Commerce, Cabarrus Health Alliance, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center, VisitNC’s Count On Me NC program as well as grant information, changes and deadlines. Cancellation of major events in our area was also relayed. Zoommeetings and webinars were held for our partners with key organizations offering insight and assis- tance to partners as well as opportunities to share information with each other. • Cabarrus Health Alliance-Vaccines, best practices for safety • Let’s Get Back Together – information exchange • Local Resources for Small Businesses & Updates from the Small Business Administration • Let’s Get Back Together & How to Stay Mentally Fit Through COVID – information exchange

• Partner Portal Training 1 – keeping their business updates current on our website • Partner Portal Training 2 - keeping their business updates current on our website • Legislative Boot Camp – Covid issues on a state level • Travel Trends & Market Segments • What Does the CVB Have in Store for the Balance of 2021

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