SCVB Blog

Looking to increase business from travelers and major events held in the Upstate? The Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has the answer: The Official Spartanburg Visitors Guide.

It has become one of the region’s most successful tools for reaching the traveling public, and advertising sales for the 2013 edition of the Visitors Guide are underway.

The SCVB expects to print 40,000 copies of the new guide, which highlights Spartanburg County’s hotels, attractions, and other traveler services.  The publication is distributed at state welcome centers, regional AAA travel agencies, GSP International Airport, local hotels, attractions, and tourism businesses, and will also be available online.  The Spartanburg Visitors Guide is the primary fulfillment piece for all tourist requests for information generated by the SCVB’s advertising and public relations campaigns.

“We are excited about some improvements to the content and design for the next year,” said Amy Phillips, Marketing and Communications Manager for the SCVB. “We had wonderful feedback from both visitors and advertisers, and hope to make the 2013 edition even more impactful.”

In addition to business listings and information that highlights places to stay and eat, what to see and do, the Spartanburg Visitors Guide will also feature historical information and insider’s tips.

Phillips explained the travel industry and municipalities in Spartanburg County have supported the publication with advertising.  That partnership helps to defray printing costs and allows the SCVB to produce a marketing campaign that drives more visitation to the region.

Launch Something, a full-service ad agency based in Spartanburg, will be responsible for design, layout and printing of the Visitors Guide for the third consecutive year. Phillips will supervise the project for the SCVB as well as handle all advertising sales. If your business is interested in advertising in the 2013 guide, please contact Amy Phillips at 864-594-5050 or aphillips@visitspartanburg.com.

Spartanburg is filled with friendly farmers, roadside stands, and pick-your-own produce patches. And with several Farmers’ Markets to choose from, one thing is for sure - you won’t have any trouble finding fresh local produce in Spartanburg!  

 The biggest farmers’ market in Spartanburg County is the Hub City Farmers’ Market which offers a Saturday Market, Wednesday afternoon market and a mobile market. Each week over 40 vendors will participate offering everything from farmed tilapia, broccoli, okra, tomatoes, eggs, watermelons, green beans, eggplant, jams and jellies, tea blends, and more. Shoppers will also be able to find a wonderful selection of local produce, meats, eggs, honey, breads, coffee, artisan creations, salsa and sauces and other local foods.

 The Hub City Farmers’ Market schedule is as follows:

 Saturday Market

 8am-noon

 May 12-November 10

298 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg

Wednesday Market

 11am-1pm

 June 1-September 28

 Morgan Square, Downtown Spartanburg

 Mobile Market

 Dates and locations available on www.hubcityfm.org

 The Town of Lyman will debut their Indoor Farmers’ Market for the first time on May 30th. The market will feature local growers and a few select organic vendors and will be open May-November.  The Lyman market will be open several days a week and their Saturday market will feature children’s activities and crafts. Check out their website www.lymansc.gov for complete details.

 The Lyman market will be open as follows:

 Wednesdays: 3-7pm

 Thursdays: 3-7pm

 Saturdays: 8am-noon

 59 Groce Rd, Lyman

 The City of Landrum will also hold a Farmers’ Market every Saturday from June 2nd until September 29th. Their market will be open each Saturday from 7-10am. The Landrum market is located just south of the Landrum Depot on North Trade Avenue. Vendors will be selling local produce and baked goods.

Be sure to visit one of our local Farmers’ Markets while you are in Spartanburg and enjoy fresh local produce from our farms to your table.  The saying is true-good stuff truly does grow here in Spartanburg!

 

For the past 34 years, the town of Cowpens has held its annual Mighty Moo Festival, which honors the naval crewman of the USS Cowpens CVL25 who served in WWII and those who currently serve on the USS Cowpens CG63. Each year these veterans and their family’s return to Cowpens to celebrate their history and service to our country. Today, the festival is a four-day event that boasts a variety of exciting events and patriotic support.

The fun begins on Thursday, June 13 and runs through Saturday, June 16. With a parade, golf tournament, beauty pageant, arts and craft vendors, street dances, and a BBQ cook-off there is something for everyone in your family. Don’t miss the street dance on Saturday evening-with beach music, along with top 40’s and oldies, the music will bring everyone to their feet. The festival will conclude on Saturday night with a fireworks display that will leave everyone in awe.

While you are in Cowpens, be sure to peak in some of the stores downtown. You’ll find plenty of fabulous antiques shops to choose from. And plan to enjoy a meal at Baguettes and Co. - their crepes, sconces, quiche and baguettes and sandwiches will leave you wanting more.

For the complete schedule of events for the Mighty Moo, check out their website at www.cowpensmightymoo.com.

 

Summer is almost here and soon everyone will be looking for a place to cool off. Head to Shipwreck Cove Water Park, in Duncan, SC and spend the day sliding down the waterslide or relaxing in the lazy river. This family friendly water park offers fun for all ages.  After splashing in the water, take a short break and enjoy a treat from the snack bar under your very own hut or venture over to the playground area of the neighboring Stone Ledge Park.

Shipwreck Cove is open Monday-Saturdays, 10am-6pm and Sundays, 1-6pm. Admission for everyone over 42 inches is $11 and $8 for those under 42 inches. Children under 2 years old can enter for free and admission for seniors over 62 is $5.  For those who may want to visit the park often, a Season Pass will be available this year for $95 for those over 42 inches and $75 for those under 42 inches.

 For more information, visit www.shipwreckcovesc.com or call 864-949-0290.

 

The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week. It was established when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May.

Since its establishment, the U.S. travel community has collectively marked the event in a number of creative ways, from staging local rallies and conducting media outreach to securing proclamations and resolutions from local legislative bodies.

As it has done for the last few years, the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) will be traveling to welcome centers across the state of South Carolina, where staff will set up a booth and provide information on what makes Spartanburg a great place for visitors, meetings & conventions and sporting events.

The SCVB will be at the Landrum Welcome Center on Wednesday, May 9th, at the Blacksburg Welcome Center on May 10th, and at the Fair Play Welcome Center on May 11th.  SCVB staff plans to use a Spartanburg-made BMW vehicle to promote the BMW Pro-Am, Zentrum Museum and Performance Driving School.

“Tourism is an industry on the rise here in Spartanburg County,” said Chris Jennings, executive director of the SCVB.

“Direct travel expenditures totaled more than $174 million in fiscal year 2008, with the lion’s share of that (21%) coming from the lodging industry.”  Jennings said more than 3700 jobs are supported, and $10 million in tax revenue is produced from tourism spending each year.

Jennings also cited steady increases in tourism indicators such as room demand, and accommodation and hospitality tax revenue over the past several months.

“We have ramped up our marketing of Spartanburg to target markets, thanks to the support of County Council, several municipalities, and our tourism industry” he stated.  “That has produced increased spending and longer stays throughout the county.”

 Nationally, travel and tourism generated $1.9 trillion in economic output in 2011. The industry also represents one of America’s largest employers, supporting 14.4 million jobs. Direct spending by domestic and international travelers averaged $2.2 billion a day, $92.8 million an hour, $1.5 million a minute and $25,700 a second.

National Tourism Week is sponsored annually by the U.S. Travel Association, a trade association that represents the common interests and concerns of travel in the United States.

If you are looking for something different to do that will have everyone in your family entertained, you’ll definitely want to check out the Spartanburg Regional Classic.  The Spartanburg Regional Classic is a closed-circuit, multi-lap bicycling race.  It will be a featured event in Spartanburg’s largest annual festival, Spring Fling. In addition, it will be included in the USA CRITS Speed Week series, which is guaranteed to draw top national racing teams and international racers.

 The race has an officially sanctioned, half-mile course that is unique for its cobblestone start/finish line, open-air plaza center, and dangerously sharp right turns. This race is set on a half mile course and has been likened to Nascar or horseracing on two wheels. It is one of many cycling activities held in May as part of National Bike Month.

 The event is a major component of the Bike Town initiative, a collaborative campaign that earned the City of Spartanburg its national designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community. That effort is spearheaded by Partners for Active Living (PAL), a nonprofit, 501c3 organization dedicated to promoting active lifestyles in Spartanburg County.

 For additional information about the Spartanburg Regional classic, please visit www.BikeTownSpartanburg.org or call 864.598.9638

Landrum, South Carolina will be in full bloom May 11-13 as they kick off a weekend celebration of gardens and art. The weekend event called “Art in Bloom” will include garden and art bazaars along with tours on Saturday of five spectacular local gardens with local artists painting on site.

On Saturday, May 12th from 9am-5pm, you will be able to tour five notable private gardens in the foothills of the Carolinas. Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions, point out items of interest, and share their knowledge of plants appropriate to our area. To immortalize these beautiful gardens some of the area’s most accomplished artists will be painting - what fun to watch their interpretations take form. The rain date for the garden tours is May 13th.

Also on Saturday, the downtowns of both Landrum and Tryon will come alive and will be converted into a garden and art bazaar on Saturday from 9am-5pm. Foothills gardeners are very fortunate to have wonderful garden centers and suppliers providing wonderful products and expert. Many of these suppliers will come together during Art-in-Bloom to present the Art & Garden Bazaars.  The bazaars in Tryon and Landrum will feature displays to stimulate your creative juices; along with plants, trees, art, outdoor furniture and more available for you to purchase.

While you are in Landrum, be sure to stop in their shops and restaurants. Landrum is known for its quaint downtown filled with antique shops, where you can find treasures of all kinds. There are also many great restaurants to choose from when you are ready to take a break from the bazaar and eat. There is even a wine bar if you are in the mood to relax with a glass of wine.   

The event wraps up on Sunday with a sculpture exhibit at the Tryon Fine Arts Center and a lecture by guest speaker Sally Spangler Barnett ay 4pm. Following the lecture at 5pm, there will be a wine and cheese reception along with a sale of works of arts celebrating the beauty of the Carolina Foothills. This is your chance to buy a beautiful work of art memorializing the uniqueness of the Foothills.

The cost for the garden tours is $20 per person and includes entrance to all gardens. The cost for both the garden tours and Sunday’s finale event is available for $35. There is no cost to attend the garden and art bazaars. Tickets may be purchased online on this website.

This 34-year Spartanburg tradition offers something for everyone. Festival goers can look forward to a professional bicycle race, a nationally sanctioned Cornhole Tournament, lots of great shopping in the arts and crafts marketplace, savory food, tons of family-friendly activities in the Family Fun Zone, world famous Frisbee dogs, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, the Sparkle City Antique Car Show, The Underground (an area for teens and twenty-something’s), an extensive lineup of great entertainment, an attempt to break a Guinness World Record, and a whole lot in between.  

Entertainment is always a highlight of Spring Fling and 2012 is no exception.  “We have nearly 100 acts scheduled during the three-day festival,” said Festival Coordinator Jane Warner. “There should be music and entertainment to suit everyone’s taste – whether it’s rock, jazz, country, or pop.” Festival organizers are excited to bring to Spartanburg an up and coming act that will be performing on the Van’s Warped Tour this summer – Ballyhoo, out of Aberdeen, MD. They will be performing at 8 pm on Friday. One of the brightest stars from last season’s X Factor show – Chris Renee, will also take the Spring Fling stage - performing Saturday at 8 pm. Additionally, some of the best local and regional acts will be appearing throughout the weekend on 5 festival stages.

If you have a craving for food, you’re just about assured to have it satisfied at Spring Fling. Food vendors will be offering a little bit of everything – turkey legs, gyros, blooming onions, strawberry shortcake, pizza, burgers, fajitas, apple beignets, Cajun Gumbo, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and more.

Admission is FREE to the festival. Spring Fling is produced by the City of Spartanburg’s Special Events Office.  Please visit the festival website at www.spartanburgspringfling.com a complete schedule of events or for more information.

Mark your calendar and get your tickets for your opportunity to see golf professionals and celebrities up close and personal during the BMW Charity Pro-Am. This celebrity golf fundraiser has hosted 96 celebrities since it started in 2001. The tournament will return to the Carolina Country Club May 17-20 for its fifth year. It is certain to satisfy your celebrity sightings wish list with star athletes, actors from popular TV shows and movies, and musicians.

Making their debut this year are actors Anthony Anderson, Danny Masterson and Grant Show along with Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus and Golf Channel morning host Holly Sonders. Returning celebs include Steve Azar, Greg Kinnear, Cheech Marin, Gary Valentine, Kevin Sorbo, Mark Bryan, Javier Colon, Lucas Black, Rob Morrow, Terry O'Quinn, Josh Kelley, David James Elliott, Bruce Greenwood, Oliver Hudson, Patrick Warburton, Dean Felber and Jeffrey Donovan.

This event not only gives fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with celebrities, but is also raises money for local charities. The event has generated $8.6 million for a wide variety of charities over the first 11 years.

Tickets can be purchased at buybmwtickets.com and military members and those 14-and-under with an adult ticket-buyer get in free.

ATLANTA, Ga. (March 27, 2012)  Amy Phillips, Marketing & Communications Manager for the Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has earned certification as a “Travel Marketing Professional” (TMP) after completing the three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College.

 Phillips was one of 78 new TMPs recognized at the STS spring meeting in Tunica, Miss.  STS Marketing College started in 1992, and 706 people have earned TMP certification.

 The STS Marketing College is a professional development program that for one week each summer turns the facilities of North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Ga., into a laboratory to teach tourism marketing.

 Instructors are working professionals in the travel industry such as convention and visitors bureau executives, public relations practitioners, sales and marketing consultants and research experts.

 “This is not another program like ours in the country; we are the envy of travel professionals in other regions,” said Bill Hardman, president and chief executive officer of STS.

 Tourism ranks at the first, second or third-largest industry in the 12 STS states that stretch from Virginia to Louisiana.

 Course topics include special events marketing, media relations, tourism advertising, vacation research, crisis management, heritage tourism and community/rural tourism. After the classroom work, students also must complete a project that relates to their employment.

 “We are very proud of Amy’s achievement,” said Chris Jennings, executive director of the SCVB.  “Her marketing and communications work is being recognized by one of the top tourism groups in the U.S.  And now Amy is making Spartanburg a revolutionary tourism destination!”