COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package | Information for the Travel Industry
On December 22, 2020, Congress passed a year-end funding bill that included the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package. The legislation provides access to relief programs and offerings that will help the travel industry. More information is at Travel Industry Relief Resources, courtesy of the U.S. Travel Association. The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of Treasury, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the loan process Monday, January 11, for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. New borrowers will be able to submit their applications beginning January 11, though lender availability is limited. If you have already exhausted your first PPP loan, the loan process for your second draw will be available beginning Wednesday, January 13. Please check here for a link to the application. The U.S. Treasury Department and SBA also released additional guidance on how to access 1st Draw Loans and 2nd Draw Loans provided by the PPP. U.S. Travel has consolidated this information into a new PPP fact sheet that includes details on the updated regulations, as well as links to relevant sites.
2021 Tech Summit
The 2021 Tech Summit virtual sessions are scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays in March. More details such as session content, registration, featured speakers and vendor/product demo opportunities will be available in late January. In the meantime, please mark your calendar. Sessions will be presented on Wednesday and Thursday mornings: March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25.
COVID-19 | Resources and Research for DMA West Members and Your Local Partners
In addition to working with your respective city/county agencies and State Office of Tourism, look to these organizations and firms for information as we address issues associated with the coronavirus crisis.
How to Reach DMA West Staff
DMA West’s staff office is located in California. Staff members are currently working remotely. During this time, we will not have access to live telephone answering. The best way to reach us is via email at info@dmawest.org. You may leave us a voice message at 916-443-9012. Messages may take up to 24 hours to receive a response. Thank you.
Ask it or answer it!
We are excited to introduce DMA West's newest member service -- EXCHANGE -- the online community for western destination marketers.
EXCHANGE is the best space to participate in in-depth discussions and receive feedback and resources from your professional peers. Employees who work for DMA West member DMOs are encouraged to participate in DMA West's EXCHANGE.
Join the exchange
Ask or answer a question.
Share strategies and best practices with your DMO industry colleagues.
Active participants create a thriving online community.
Let's Get Started
- Employees from DMA West-member DMOs are welcome to access the EXCHANGE discussionsite.
- Are you an employee from a DMA West-member DMO ready to join this online community?
- When you create your account, please use your real name in the "Username" field (First name Last name). Also, you must use a valid DMO email address.
NEXT STEPS
Once your account is created and approved by DMA West staff, you will receive an approval notification for your EXCHANGE participation. At that time, log in and click on your name above the "New Discussion" button (left panel). Then, click on the arrow next to the head silhouette icon (far right - across from your name) which will bring up the "Edit Profile" option. In this section, you may add your profile image and set your "Notification Preferences" and "Category Notifications."
If you need assistance at any step in the process, contact DMA West staff at 916.443.9012 or info@dmawest.org. Welcome to EXCHANGE.
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s “Vegas Smart” page lists all the steps Las Vegas is taking to keep visitors safe as the city continues its reopening process.
Travel Lane County
Travel Lane County has created messaging and a video series that aims to instill confidence in travel with both its travelers and residents. Travel Lane County wants to help support its communities by showing the safety measures its businesses are taking to stay open now and into the future, and reassure residents that Travel Lane County is looking to welcome travelers back to its destination in a safe way and only when it is safe to do so. Travel Lane County is focusing first on restaurants and lodging, with plans to continue to add content around additional businesses.
Everyone, please be safe and healthy.
Visit Albuquerque (NM)
From the International Balloon Fiesta to the arts, explore Albuquerque’s sights and sounds in full 360˚ video from the top of the Sandia Mountains to the banks of the Rio Grande, all from home.
Visit Casper (WY)
Visit Casper recently launched a video called Casper United—view it here.
Even Apart, We’ve Never Been Stronger. It goes without saying that right now, things look different. But every day we wake up to glimpses of hope, stories of recovery and people helping each other. In those moments when it all seems like too much, remind yourself that even though we’re apart, we’ll get through this together. When the time is right, the world will move again. Trips will be taken, sports will be played, hugs will be given and concerts will fill mountain meadows with the most beautiful music.Travel Lane County (OR)
#LoveLane video from YouTube
We love where we live. From our cities to our mountains, our beaches to our waterfalls, Lane County is our home and our favorite destination. We miss you, but are proud of the ways you are helping to flatten the curve. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy. We are so looking forward to the day we can hit the trails with you again.
Travel Portland (OR)
Tune into weekly #TelePortland video series for glimpses into Portland’s great creative community.
Visit Salt Lake (UT)
#SaltLakeStrong
https://www.visitsaltlake.com/press-and-research/covid-19-updates/saltlakestrong/
San Francisco Travel Association (CA)
#SFThroughMyWindow campaign on Instagram that asks residents to post photos of their window views.Visit Seattle (WA)
Virtual Seattle Experiences—Ways to enjoy Seattle from the comfort of your own home.
Sonoma County Tourism (CA)
Sonoma County Tourism has unveiled a timely video as part of its recovery campaign, the “SAFE Travels Promise,” encouraging visitors to travel responsibly and #keepsonomasafe. The Safe Travels Promise Video features Sonoma County’s wide open spaces, ample outdoor activities, and urges everyone to be responsible and wear masks while vacationing. Spokespersons from local businesses help reiterate the importance of being smart, safe, kind, and healthy in the messaging.Visit Tucson (AZ)
Looking Forward to Seeing You Soon
When the time is right, we’ll look forward to welcoming you to Tucson, offering you the space you need to relax and recharge, and once again providing the perfect place to Free Yourself.
Visit Ventura (CA)
Even in these difficult times, there is so much to be grateful for. Visit Ventura has a Gratitude Wall. It’s a simple thing. Post your words, your video, your photos—your shout-out of thanks to those doing beautiful, kind, selfless and caring things during these difficult times. So many heroes out there. And, when this is past, our Gratitude Wall will be something special, preserved forever. A reminder that the best of humanity always surrounds us. #stayventurastrong
