• Save the date: The LCVA will host its annual Holiday Open House at the LCVA offices on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Please plan to attend and enjoy delicious goodies and holiday cheer. Invitations will be mailed soon.
  
  
• The LCVA held its second annual fundraiser, "Cruisin' the Caribbean - Steel Drums for Scholarship Funds" on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at the Embassy Suites Dulles North. The event was very well attended and raised $24,462 for the LCVA Scholarship Fund. Highlights of the evening included live Caribbean-style music by the band Oasis, and silent and live auctions. We would again like to thank our generous sponsors for helping to make this event possible: Venue: Embassy Suites Dulles North; Band: Dulles Hotel Connection, Olivera Music Entertainment, National Conference Center, Middleburg Business & Professional Association; Wine and Beer: Holiday Inn Leesburg, Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, America's Polo Cup; Linens: Capital Party Rentals; Giveaways: Lansdowne Resort, Washington Airports Task Force, Middleburg Business & Professional Association; Flowers: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers; Auctioneer: Adesa Washington DC. We would also like to thank all of the individuals and organizations who donated items for the live and silent auctions. For a list of donors, please click here.
  
  
• Leisure culinary ads ran on WineCountry.com and in the food sections of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Raleigh News-Observer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the Newark Star-Ledger. Online banner ads were launched on CivilWarTraveler.com.
  
  
• Earned media included a two-page feature article in Tidewater Women magazine in Virginia Beach by Peggy Sijswerda, who took part in the LCVA press trip in May 2007.
  
  
• The LCVA attended the quarterly meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Tourism PR Alliance (MATPRA).
  
  
• The LCVA coordinated itineraries for visiting tour operators from Belgium, Norway, and Germany with Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets and Loudoun wineries. The visits will take place in November.
  
  
• The LCVA coordinated the filming of a 9-day video shoot as part of the Tourism Destination Strategy project on developing multimedia tours.
  
  
• The LCVA assisted the organizers of the America's Cup of Polo with their final report which will be sent to Loudoun County representatives.
  
  
• The LCVA produced the FY07 Annual Report.
  
  
• The LCVA produced the Tourism Industry Growth Summary.
  
  
• The LCVA is updating its industry partner contact database. In order to help us keep our database current, please let Wendy Ferrigno know of any staff or address changes at 703-771-2170 ext. 24.

• The Waterford Foundation is seeking public support for a special meeting of the Virginia Board of Historic Resources on Thursday, November 15, at 1:30 pm at the Catoctin Presbyterian Church regarding the petition to remove the Waterford Foundation from the state's Landmarks Register. Your comments, presence, and/or signing of a petition to prevent Waterford from being removed from the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register would be greatly appreciated. For more information on this critical issue go to the Waterford Foundation website at: WaterfordVa.org.
  
  
• The Hampton Inn & Suites Dulles Airport opened on October 18, 2007. The five floor property, located just two miles from Dulles International Airport, offers complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access in all guest rooms, an indoor pool and fitness center, a 24-hour business center, Cloud Nine - the new Hampton bed experience, and an On the House hot breakfast. In addition, all 170 rooms and suites include a 32" high definition television. To celebrate this new addition to the hotel's room package, a contest to win a 32" high definition television will run through November 10, 2007. To enter or learn more, visit: HamptonDulles.com. The hotel will host its Grand Opening celebration on November 15 at 4:00 pm.
  
  
• The Best Western Inn Dulles Airport, just minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport, opened on October 18, 2007. The hotel, formerly the Hampton Inn Dulles North, features a rich lodge-like atmosphere and all the amenities today's traveler expects. Park and fly packages are available. For more information, please visit BestWesternDullesAirport.com.
  
  
• Dodona Manor in Leesburg is currently hosting a special exhibit, "Restoration of the Marshall Center in Hotel de Talleyrand", depicting the meticulous restoration of the George C. Marshall Center in the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France, the American headquarters for the administration of the Marshall Plan in Europe after World War II. The exhibit marks the 60th anniversary of the Marshall Plan and is courtesy of the U.S. Department of State. The exhibit is open to the public from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturdays and from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Sundays through January 15, 2008. Admission is free for members of the Friends of Dodona Manor and $10 for non-members. For more information, contact Dodona Manor at 703-777-1880 or visit GeorgeCMarshall.org.
  
  
• Salamander Hospitality is hiring a retail manager for its new store, Salamander Touch, which will open at the end of November. The location will also house a model room for Salamander Resort & Spa. The shop is located at 100 West Washington Street in Middleburg. For more information, please contact Megan Carr at Salamander Hospitality at 540-687-3710.
  
  
• The Journey Through Hallowed Ground bill, HR 1483, Celebrating America's Heritage Act - which includes the designation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground as a National Heritage Area - sailed through Congress and now goes to the Senate to be voted on.
  
  
• The National Conference Center, in an effort to be an active and fun participant in its community, invited 29 fifth graders from Seldon's Landing Elementary School to get ideas and make sketches of the property. The students will complete their drawings in the next couple of weeks, and will submit them to be considered for the Center's holiday card. A team from the conference center will vote on the designs and the winner's drawing will be used on the card that the Center will mail to its clients.
  
  
• Tarara Winery will host its Fall Barrel Tasting on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Tickets are available online for $45 per person. Please visit Tarara.com to purchase tickets and for information on Tarara's Holiday Jazz events in November and December.
  
  
• Breaux Vineyards will host its annual Fall Barrel Tasting on Saturday, November 10, 2007. Enjoy 90 minutes of interactive fun. Sample and discuss various wines before they are bottled with winemaker, Dave Collins, and enjoy gourmet fare paired with each selection. $45 per guest. Seating times: 12:00 pm; 2:15 pm and 4:40 pm. Call 1-800-492-9961 ext. 202 for more information and to place your reservation.
  
  
• New stores opening soon in Middleburg: Nobel Nielsen Shoes at 15 South Madison Street, Salamander Touch, and Mrs. Tate's Bake Shoppe and Tea Room on Washington Street.
  
  
• New restaurants which have recently opened in Leesburg include Tenderjacks and Pei Wei. Located at Leesburg Plaza (in front of Party City), Tenderjacks is a new fast-casual restaurant specializing in chicken tenders, salads, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and wings. For more information and their menu, check out their website: Tenderjacks.com. The Pei Wei Asian Diner franchise (pronounced "Pay Way") was launched in July 2000 as a growth vehicle for P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. The 3,000-square-foot diner leverages the heritage and culinary expertise of P.F. Chang's, while attracting a broader audience by providing a convenient place for everyday eating. Pei Wei is located in the Leesburg Plaza Shopping Center.
  
  
• Randall Travel Marketing's research has shown that one in three households with pets are categorized as affluent. Pet travel continues to grow as a percentage of the travel and tourism industry.
  

If you have any news about your organization you would like to share with the tourism industry in Loudoun County, please contact Chris Geno, Geno@VisitLoudoun.org.

• The LCVA exhibited at the VSAE Fall Marketplace.
  
  
• The LCVA and Parks Recreation, and Community Services exhibited at the AAU sports tradeshow.
  
  
• The LCVA Sales Team coordinated a group site visit of "unique venues" for 8 meeting planners and their guests.
  
  
• The LCVA coordinated and co-hosted a networking Happy Hour for the sales people from the local hotels and meeting facilities at Not Your Average Joe's at the new Lansdowne Town Center.
  
  
• The LCVA would like to welcome the following new members who joined in October:
  Not Your Averages Joe's, River Creek Club, WeatherLea Farm, Marco Polo Caterers, Notaviva Vineyards, Shelley's Floral Enterprise, Vintage 50 Restaurant and Brew Lounge, Tucker Withers
  
  
• The LCVA would like to welcome back the following renewing member in October: National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.