Or call us to request one
Toll free: 800-365-9339
Local: 757-357-5182
Media News & Information
Press Release: 2012 Tourism Industry Honorees
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau
Celebrate National Tourism Week
Monday, May 14, 2012
Smithfield, Virginia:
On Friday, May 11, Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB honored those in the community who contributed to another successful year with the local tourism industry.
2012 Hospitality Heroes, Community (H)ambassadors, Pok-a-Razzi Photographers, Mayor Dave Hare, Councilwoman Denise Tynes and Tourism Director Judy Winslow.
Congratulations to our Hospitality Hero of the Year: Lisa with Wharf Hill Antiques
2012 HOSPITALITY HEROES:
Edith Raby, Indiana Brown, Kathy Mountjoy, Kim Bynum, Terry Rhinier, Rick Bodson, Albert Burkhart, Tom Finderson, Doris Gwaltney, Lisa with Wharf Hill , Jennifer Jones, Mary Hood, Denise Haynes, Kristen Lockwood, Donna Nurney, Cliff Hall, Gabby Buntz, Robbie Perrotti Younger, Julie Verdaguer, Nicole Johnson, Sarah Bordeaux, Jim Abicht, Lauren Epperley, Donna Cowger, Patsy Knight Privott, Monique Martin, Dwain Rodman, Carlene Young, Debbie Bradbury, Skylar Norman, Joe Barnes, Lynka Jordan, Margaret Carroll, Donna Rice, Marian Aiden, Thomas Jordan, Janie Rhodes, Mary Neely, Kim Slaughter, Dawn Riddle, June Pius, Rhonda Ralph
2012 Community Ambassadors:
Paul Roushia-American K9, Mark Marshall-International Association of Police Chiefs, Judge Roddy Delk-Virginia Bar Association, Tyrice Mitchell-Almond Family Reunion, Sgt. Julian Evans-2012 Computer Investigations Training , Julia Hopkins-Smithfield Ruritans, Lois Little-Dominion Power
EVENTS:
Gina Ippolito-Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest
Scott Brubaker-Mustang Round-Up
Jim Abicht-Smithfield Music Concerts
Smithfield Lions Club-Cruz-Ins and International Regional Meeting
MARKETING:
Randy Pack-Smithfield Station
PORK-A-RAZZI PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
Click here to see the Photo Contest winning images!
Quintessential Image Category:
#1: Shirley Whitenack - Saturday Stroll on Main Street
#2: Tyler Johnson - Forging Reflections
#3: Meghan Eley - Ben's Buddy
Encore Wedding Category:
#1 Caty Kozar - Antiquity
#2 Meghan Eley - Valentine Couple
#3 Caty Kozar - New Beginnings
Follow your HeART Category:
#1 Maggie Stoup - Pumpkin Buddies
#2: Maggie Stoup - Tractor Dreams
#3: (tie) Maggie Stoup - Growing Season
#3 (tie) Meghan Eley - Ben's Buddy
2012 PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Emily E. Collier , Kristin Starcher, Mark Edwards, Bob Barnes, Seffron Boyle, James Lawson, Dawn Riddle, Maggie Stoup, Lorella Johnson, Shirley Whitenack, Caty Kozar, Kathy Goodridge, Randi Robinson, Meghan Eley, Tyler Johnson
Press Release: New Farmer’s Market Manager hired
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau
is pleased to welcome our new Farmer’s Market Manager
Friday, January 26, 2012
Smithfield, Virginia:
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce our new Smithfield Farmers Market Manager, Cheryl Ketcham. Ms. Ketcham lives in the county with her husband and three children on a small farm, where they raise miniature Dexter cattle. She is also an active volunteer at her church and with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she enjoys acting at Colonial Williamsburg, on television, and in films.
“I’m very excited to join the Farmers Market for its 10th anniversary season,”” Ms. Ketcham says. “The Farmers Market is such a wonderful event that brings together the community to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, cheese and meats, barbecue, crafts and more from our area, along with live music and kid’s activities.””
The Farm Market will have 32 markets this season, kicking off on March 31 with its Easter specialty market. The market takes place every Saturday morning from Memorial Day through Labor Day in the parking lots behind the Bank of Southside Virginia in the heart of historic downtown Smithfield. Specialty markets are offered during the off-season as well.
For more information, contact Cheryl Ketcham at (757) 357-3031 or by email at cketcham@isleofwightus.net.
Press Release: Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB & Isle of Wight Arts League programs awarded “Sunnies”
Suffolk Sun Awards Smithfield and Isle of Wight County “SUNNIES!”
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Smithfield & Isle of Wight, Virginia
The Suffolk Sun, the Virginian-Pilot tabloid that focuses on Western Tidewater has awarded Smithfield and Isle of Wight events and personalities with “Sunnies” - prizeless awards bestowed to folks who worked diligently last year to make us smile, laugh, dance, cry or think. They are given annually by a secret selection committee to those creative types who brighten our world, who dazzle and inspire us, who contribute to our world view and sense of history, art and culture in Western Tidewater.
Included in this year’s list of winners:
The Isle of Wight County Museum and its curator Tracey Neikirk for its unique and entertaining “Curatorial Coffee Klatch” which served up unusual historical and vintage items, artifacts and implements from her extensive collection accompanied by interesting historical commentary. And during the summer she presented the appropriate program “We All Scream for Ice Cream,” which featured tastings, a bit of ice cream history and vintage items and implements.
Smithfield’s Historic St. Luke’s Church for its Bach Birthday Celebration concert. Organized by Heidi Bloch and Mary Cole, and the board members of the “Sundays at Four” performance series. The concert featured a vocalist, cellist, harpsichordist and recorder player performing an array of Bach compositions. The church’s 17th-century Gothic architecture presented the perfect setting for the baroque genius’ music.
Smithfield’s “Sundays at Four” performance series for, again, offering a season of relevant and satisfying concerts that enlighten as well as entertain. The series was able to create its own performance group, the Smithfield Trio that featured violinist Linda Hurwitz, cellist Susan Hines and pianist Amanda Halstead. This year’s concerts included a celebration of poet Emily Dickinson in spoken word and music, saxophones in a classical setting, a percussion showcase and some of the area’s most talented teen musicians.
The Isle of Wight County Fair, considered a “mini state fair,” which annually showcases 4-H livestock and agricultural initiatives, canners, bakers and crafters. The fun family-friendly event also features carnival rides and a midway, talent shows, regional and national music acts, competitions and magic shows.
And Smithfield Music’s Aiken & Friends Fest, organized by singer/songwriter Mike Aiken along with Jim and Elaine Abicht to raise money for local music education, annually. This event brings in the region’s and country’s most revered and acclaimed roots Americana musicians and songwriters. The weekend long festival features songwriters’ and guitar workshops and intimate concerts along with outdoor performances featuring an array of new and longtime musicians and groups. Word is spreading throughout the country about this quality musical event.
For information about these events and others, go to VisitSmithfieldIsleofWight.com.
Press Release: Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB wins VIRGO Award
Smithfield & Isle of Wight County Tourism
Win Prestigious VIRGO Award
Friday, April 22, 2011
On Tuesday, April 19, the Smithfield & Isle of Wight County Tourism Bureau received a Virginia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus’ 3rd Annual VIRGO TRAVEL AND TOURISM AWARD for Advertising and Promotion (print) at the 2011 annual Virginia Tourism Summit held this year in Chesapeake, Virginia. The Virgo Travel and Tourism Awards program pay tribute to individuals, groups, businesses and destination marketing organizations located in the commonwealth of Virginia that significantly contribute to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s economy through tourism promotion and development. The award recognizes excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. Entries must have been produced between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and must pertain to programs that promote travel to and within the Commonwealth of Virginia, not outbound travel.
The Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism Bureau award was based on a special niche marketing program created to highlight Smithfield and Isle of Wight as the ideal destination location for ENCORE WEDDINGS. Judges for the highly contested awards come from Visit Raleigh, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. Smithfield and Isle of Wight beat out 6 other nominees for the honor of the Advertising and Promotion Virgo Travel and Tourism Award this year.
Director of Tourism for Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism, Judy Winslow, said, “We are thrilled to receive the Virgo Award for this rather unconventional and untapped niche market. Our marketing staff took an out-of-the-box idea and created a full advertising and public relations campaign that truly captured the essence of what appeals to the Encore Bride! It feels great to have our work recognized by our peers in the tourism industry.”
Entries were judged on Entry Presentation; Quality; Efficiency; and Community or Economic Impact; The Virgo Travel and Tourism Awards feature 11 different judging categories including Advertising and Promotion; Destination Event of the Year; Eco-Tourism; Heritage Tourism; International Marketing and Promotions; Public Relations Initiative; Regional Marketing Initiative; Visitor Center of the Year; Sales Manager/Team of the Year; DMO “Rising Star” Leadership Award; and the SPICA Award for Tourism Advocacy.
Sample Encore Wedding Ad:
Windsor Castle Park featured "Hometown Hotspot" on WAVY-TV 10
Smithfield featured in the Spring/Summer 2011 Issue of VOW Bride Magazine
Smithfield Foods features the town of Smithfield in its "Ham Capital" TV Commercial
Smithfield & Isle of Wight featured in "Destination Weddings"
Article by Travel Writer Tamar Alexia Fleishman of the Herald-Dispatch/Huntington, West Virginia
Article by Travel Writer Robert Sandlass of the Baltimore Sun
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB announce our 2011 Hospitality Heroes & our Hero of the Year
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB announce our 2011 Community Ambassadors
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB announce the winner of our 2011 Pork-a-razzi Photo Contest
Local icon, Smithfield Station Waterfront Inn, Restaurant & Marina was awarded NINE of Chesapeake Bay Magazine's "2010 Best of the Bay" Awards including: "Best Restaurant for Views," "Best Restaurant for Breakfast," "Best Restaurant for Burgers," "Best Restaurant for Crab Cakes," "Best Restaurant for Cream of Crab Soup," "Best Resort Marina," "Best Marina for Small Boats," "Best Marina for Natural Environment," & Smithfield as "Best Town for Foodies!"
_________________________________________________________________
Press Release:
Smithfield & Isle of Wight awarded Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB Awarded
Tourism Marketing Funding from Virginia Tourism Corporation
-Tourism Marketing Helps Generate Instant Revenue for State and Communities-
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Virginia Tourism Corporation announced that the Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitor Bureau has been awarded funding through the state’s Virginia is for Lovers Marketing Leverage Grant Program for the Encore Wedding Destination initiative.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) marketing leverage program helps stimulate new tourism spending through regional and local partnership marketing initiatives. These partnerships leverage funds to enable destinations to market in venues they would otherwise not be able to afford. Applicants must consist of at least three Virginia partners and present a proposal for an initiative that meets a stringent set of requirements. The Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB served as the lead entity for the Encore Wedding project, in a partnership that included The Smithfield Center, Isle of Wight Historic Resources, Smithfield Station and the Smithfield Hampton Inn & Suites.
Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of VTC said that this kind marketing leverage funding is essential for many local tourism initiatives.
“Tourism is an instant revenue generator, bringing in powerful tax dollars that support our communities,” said Bailey. “This is a small but impactful matching grant program that helps our local partners get the most out of their marketing, which is essential to bringing visitors to Virginia,” she said. “We know that for every dollar Virginia invests in tourism marketing, five dollars in state and local taxes are generated for the Commonwealth.”
Judy Winslow, Director of Tourism for the Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB said, “We are thrilled to receive this funding grant from our partners, the VTC! The Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism initiative will partner with our localities wedding venue stakeholders to create an advertising and public relations campaign to market Smithfield and Isle of Wight County as THE Historic Small Town Wedding Destination for ENCORE WEDDINGS. It’s a perfect match for our venues that offer all of the services large weddings require but are smaller, more personal and exude that quintessential Southern small town charm.”
In total, VTC awards approximately $1 million annually through the marketing grant program- matched and leveraged on average three to one by partner dollars - to more than 80 communities across the Commonwealth.
For more information about Virginia tourism marketing opportunities visit www.vatc.org. Virginia travel information including travel packages, trip ideas and videos are available at www.virginia.org/www.Virginia.org. Or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free travel guide.
_________________________________________________________________
Smithfield & Isle of Wight….Virginia’s Premier Encore Wedding Destination!
Wednesday, September 7, 2010
Smithfield and Isle of Wight County are on a mission to become the #1 “Encore” wedding destination for brides in Virginia! What’s an “Encore Bride” you ask? These are the brides in second + weddings…and they are attractive to bridal vendors because ENCORE BRIDES are a little calmer, a little saner (no crazy “Mothers” to deal with!), a little wealthier, a little more “mature”, often have their children involved and are looking for exactly the kind of experience Smithfield and Isle of Wight can provide to make their once in a lifetime (ok, ok, maybe twice!) day, really special!
Smithfield and Isle of Wight have unique wedding and reception venues, just right for an ENCORE BRIDE’S more intimate setting, such as the Smithfield Center, the Isle of Wight Wedding Chapel, the newly opened Windsor Castle Park, Saint Luke’s Historic Church, Boykin’s Tavern, The Courthouse of 1750, Hayden’s Lane, Smithfield Station, The Smithfield Inn, and Mansion on Main B&B. Plus Smithfield and Isle of Wight play the perfect host for rehearsal dinner locations and overnight guest accommodations (check out the newly opened Hampton Inn and Suites, as well as Smithfield Station, the Smithfield Inn and the wonderful local Bed & Breakfasts!). Local wedding vendors such as photographers, videographers, DJ’s, bands, rentals, florists, bartenders, and event planners also abound in the area.
The Smithfield and Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau have partnered with local wedding venues to be the cover story for the online publication, DESTINATION WEDDINGS and will also be partnering with VOW Magazine to run a full page of Smithfield and Isle of Wight bridal advertising. VOW likes the “ENCORE BRIDE” concept so much; they are giving the Smithfield and Isle of Wight CVB an entire page of editorial on the area as the perfect destination for the ENCORE BRIDE! In addition to the advertising, the CVB will get a premium position (juxtaposed to Virginia Beach!) at VOW’s Bridal Show this winter to showcase Smithfield and Isle of Wight as THE ENCORE WEDDING destination and the great resources that are available locally. The CVB will also run additional advertising in other bridal and Virginia publications to highlight this unique niche market.
Says, Smithfield and Isle of Wight’s Director of Tourism, Judy Winslow, “This is a different approach to the bridal business and there is a real untapped market out there! We are taking a humorous line of attack, but expect to see a huge return on investment because many, many weddings are ‘do-overs’ and no one else has focused on this niche!”
So….if you are looking to “Renew Your Belief in Love,” give Smithfield and Isle of Wight a try!
Historic Fort Huger named to Virginia Civil War Trails!
The Civil War Trails program has installed more than 1,000 interpretive markers at Civil War sites in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina. Driving tours following major campaigns have been created, and a series of regional brochures is available. Downloadable versions of the maps are available at CivilWarTraveler.com/maps.
Pictured are Executive Director of the Civil War Trails, Mitch Bowman and Isle of Wight County Historic Resources Manager, Jennifer Williams with the historic marker now located at Historic Fort Huger.
Take a video tour of Historic Fort Huger.
Smithfield & Isle of Wight featured on "Krusing America" series
Everyone needs a place to call home. Krusing America, a groundbreaking series places center-stage the stirring emotions triggered by a sense of "home."
In Season One an American soldier and his young family explore the land he spend his life defending...but rarely lived, searching for a place they can call home.
With a documentary feel and thoughtful narration, each half-hour episode of Krusing America explores a picture perfect American hometown. The goal of this family is to find a great place to live in American. And while we can't all pick up and move, we can at least visit these remarkable communities and experience all they have to offer through the eyes of a charming and not-so-typical family.
Read more about this soon to be broadcast series created and produced by Linda Kruse.
_________________________________________________________________
VTC Help Desk in Smithfield on August 12 a great success!
_________________________________________________________________
Press Release:
Smithfield & Isle of Wight at the state's East Coast Gateway Welcome Center
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism featured
at the State's East Coast Gateway Welcome Center
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Smithfield, Virginia
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism is the featured Virginia destination at the state’s East Coast Gateway Welcome Center on I-64 in New Kent County for the month of January 2010. As the featured destination, Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism has created a display featuring banners exclaiming the destination’s tag line Hams, History, Hospitality and HeART as well as objects that exemplify each word. Also included in the display are large banners featuring Smithfield and Isle of Wight images, affixed to the front of the Center’s information desk; an entry box for registering to win a genuine Smithfield Ham; brochures featuring the destination as a get-away or day trip and one for upcoming special events; a digital screen featuring scenes from Smithfield and Isle of Wight; and suspended flying pigs created by the artists of the Isle of Wight Arts League and the Arts Center @319.
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism’s display will be seen by the many visitors who stop by the Center - on average 150,000 per month. In addition to the display, Tourism staff, as well as the towns’ and counties’ tourism stakeholders, have an opportunity to “man” the East Cost Gateway Welcome Center at a table promoting the destination.
Contact us for further information or high resolution images.
_________________________________________________________________
Press Release: Smithfield Ham featured in Saveur Cover Story
Smithfield, Virginia’s HAM featured as cover story in December issue of Saveur Magazine
Friday, December 11, 2009
Smithfield, Virginia
One doesn’t often think of a Smithfield Ham as “cover girl” material but this December, Saveur Magazine has featured the succulent holiday treat in all its glory on the cover and in a 20-page full-color spread. The December issue of the magazine is dedicated to the pursuit of ham and Smithfield, Virginia is front and center. Saveur's cover story by Executive Editor Dana Bowen compares the ham making traditions of Smithfield, Virginia and Parma, Italy. It's a beautiful story that will leave you craving a ham biscuit and wanting to visit Smithfield in person.
The crew from Saveur Magazine made its pilgrimage to the home of hams, history, hospitality and heART, September 25th, 26th and 27th - just in time to attend the Isle of Wight Museum’s commemoration of building the world’s largest Ham Biscuit (as documented by the Guinness Book of World Records. The biscuit was built in 2002 during Smithfield’s 250th anniversary celebration.). The magazine calls Smithfield, Virginia one of the most important capitals of cured pork in the world and chronicles’ the history of ham in the Smithfield and Surry areas. The article also recounts the magazine crews visit to Smithfield Station Hotel, Restaurant and Marina and Smithfield Foods; as well as encounters with Henrietta Gwaltney, the great granddaughter of the legendary Smithfield ham producer, P.D. Gwaltney; Larry Santure, Smithfield Foods Senior Business Manager for dry-cured meats; and local resident, Janice Scott-the former manager of the Smithfield Inn and caterer extraordinaire. Plus, the article highlights 14 recipes for dishes incorporating honey glazed to country style ham.
If you've never been to Smithfield, make a point of going, not just for the ham, but for the charming Main Street, which is traditional small town Virginia at its best. Besides a plethora of superb historical attractions, you’ll find the Genuine Smithfield Ham Shop and many restaurants that serve the town’s celebrated claim to fame.
There is more than one way to get to Smithfield, but the car ferry is a favorite. Drive to Jamestown and take the Jamestown-Surry Ferry, a free car ferry that transports you across the James River and into Surry, from there drive into downtown Smithfield where Victorian homes and Ham, History, Hospitality and HeART await.
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB on Facebook
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB Staff:
Judy Hare Winslow, Director of Tourism
Lois Chapman, Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Cheryl Whitener, Visitor Center Manager
Terry Rhinier, Event Coordinator
Cheryl Ketcham, Farmer's Market Manager
Join our email list to receive our Tour-E Newsletter listing of local events.
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB and the Isle of Wight Arts League are partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
