Greetings from the Gulf Coast Capital!

The month of August and the first week of September have been exciting and innovative, to say the least. From our new Music Friendly City Designation by the Texas Music Office to the Corpus Christi Sports Commission and Sales Team continuing to sell the best of our destination, I can't help but to be excited about the future that Corpus Christi is headed into. While there is quite a buzz around the state, and even the country, about the Gulf Coast Capital, it's important that we don't settle, but continue to strive towards becoming a more refined, sustainable, and enriched destination.

Surely, Corpus Christi has grown and enhanced its perception for a couple of years, but now is not the time to stop or slow down. Through strategic initiatives that push the envelope there have been great wins and this can continue to be the narrative for our community. While the Visit Corpus Christi team is no stranger to bold initiatives, lately we've transcended the borders of our industry and expanded our horizons to reach new heights of success for arts, culture, economic development, and more importantly, the quality of life in Corpus Christi! After all, our direction is constantly enhanced to ensure we remain a competitive destination for locals and visitors alike.

So, I encourage you to stay up to date, be open to partnerships and collaborations, and do YOUR part in strengthening our community by sharing Corpus Christi with the world!

Breaking Waves: Dive into the Top 3 Tourism Tidbits for Corpus Christi! 🏝

• Monthly Data Snapshot: Don't miss out on the latest tourism insights! Check out Visit Corpus Christi's monthly tourism data snapshot now and ensure your business decisions are well-informed and backed up by the data.  
• Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant: Apply now for the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant (TTIR) Program's Category 6, offering up to $250,000 per approved applicant, in line with Senate Bill 30, until September 15, 2023.[Apply Now]
• Music Friendly Texas Community: Corpus Christi is now an official Music Friendly Texas Community, and we want to thank all our incredible partners and the community for making the inaugural MusicWalk a legendary night. [Check out the MusicWalk recap video here]

Organizational & Operations

- Visit Corpus Christi is proud to welcome to the team, Director of Finance, Thao Natterer to the team! Thao comes to the team with extensive experience in finance and non-profits. Help us in welcoming Thao to the team! 

- Unlock new opportunities for growth by applying to the Corpus Christi Tourism Grant Program today and join us in shaping the future of our vibrant community. There are $50,000 available for the CC Grant Program Year.

- Congratulations are in order for Visit Corpus Christi's very own, Christina Cortez! Christina was promoted to Office Coordinator. Christina comes to the position after serving as the Visitor Services Manager at the Visitor Information Center.

- Members of the Visit Corpus Christi team were excited to participate in this year's ESTO conference, as it offers a valuable opportunity to network, gain insights, and stay updated on the latest trends in the tourism industry. Continuing education through events like ESTO is essential for tourism professionals to adapt to evolving traveler preferences, market dynamics, and technology. President and CEO, Brett Oetting, also had an opportunity to conduct a session while attending ESTO.

Marketing & Communications

- The Visit Corpus Christi PR team rolled out the red carpet for six eager journalists hailing from diverse markets such as Denver, Chicago, DFW, and beyond. This 'Coastal Culture' group press tour immersed attendees in a tantalizing world of culinary delights, captivating cultural and art experiences, and unforgettable stories, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of Corpus Christi's coastal charm. 

- Visit Corpus Christi achieved peer recognition by winning the TACVB award in the specific budget category for the outstanding marketing campaign at this year's TACVB award ceremony. This is a regional award highlighting the Marketing Team's excellent tourism marketing efforts.

- Congratulations to Savannah Garza on her promotion to Marketing Manager, recognizing her outstanding contributions in enhancing our brand's digital presence and her dedication to various marketing projects. Savannah has contributed greatly to our digital success, and we are excited to see her grow in her new role! 

- Visit Corpus Christi is excited to announce that applications for the second wave of CC Social Hub creatives, a program connecting influencers and community leaders with local entities, are now open. Local businesses interested in collaborating with local influencers can reach out to morgan@visitcorpuschristi.com, as Visit Corpus Christi serves as the bridge to enhance our city's marketing efforts. [Application Information]

- Visit Corpus Christi concluded the year with an exciting visit from travel journalist and TV host, Jeff Jenkins, renowned for his "Never Say Never" series and a significant Instagram following. Jeff's visit was filled with thrilling activities, from snorkeling with sharks to exploring Corpus Christi's culinary delights and immersing himself in the vibrant culture. The highlight of his trip was an unforgettable evening at the "Dia De Los Hooks" Baseball game, where he connected with partners and local influencers from CC Social Hub, sharing his inspiring journey. 

- Through strategic earned media coverage and public relations endeavors, Corpus Christi is actively crafting the brand image and identity of the Gulf Coast Capital, both regionally and nationally. The Corpus Christi PR team's success is evident, with 113 placements and over 155 million impressions across a variety of media, including broadcast, print, and social media. [See the new featured stories]

Convention Sales & Services

- Travis and Rebekah attended Connect Marketplace, a leading B2B networking event in the meeting industry, where they met with 60 meeting planners to explore Corpus Christi as a future event host among over 4,000 professionals.

- Part of ensuring we are staying ahead of the curve with our sales and services includes continued education, which is why our team is excited to announce that Mallori Johnson, Destination Services Manager, completed the Event Services Professional Foundational Training Program by ESPA, which equips experienced professionals in convention center, hotel, and CVB services roles. She also finished the Destinations International PDM Certificate Program, enhancing her competencies in destination organization management within the travel and tourism industry. 

Experience & Visitor Services

- Director of Visitor Services, Stev Guerra, continues to educate our local tourism industry workforce through continued educational sessions as a apart of the Tourism Academy. The program is composed of three levels each providing your staff with the tools needed to provide excellent customer service for your business. Interested in having your team become #CCMe Certified? [Register here]

- Continuing to foster relationships with stakeholders is essential for enhancing visitor experiences, as demonstrated by the Experience Team's recent Experience Stakeholder Night at Whataburger Field, where they expressed their gratitude to valued partners like Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in creating memorable experiences. 

Sports Commission

- The Sports Development Manager and community stakeholders traveled to Indianapolis for the one-day NCAA Host Symposium, a crucial opportunity to meet with Championship Directors, who hold the decision-making power for bids, and introduce Corpus Christi to them while gaining insights into specific bid processes.

- The Corpus Christi Sports Commission recently hosted the Little State Tennis tournament attended by 300 individuals. The attendee experience was enhanced through raffle CCTX bags and a memorable player gathering at Bluffs Landing, resulting in a highly successful and unforgettable experience for all.