• PLAN to join us on October 10th, 2007 for "Cruisin' the Caribbean - Steel Drums for Scholarship Funds", the LCVA's fundraising auction for the LCVA Scholarship Fund. The event will take place at the Embassy Suites Dulles North from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of Caribbean style food, Loudoun wine and beer, while listening to live music by the band, Oasis, all generously provided by our sponsors listed below. Highlights of the evening will be a silent auction followed by a live auction with fabulous items. $25.00 per person (tax-deductible). Please RSVP as soon as possible to Greg Harp 703-771-2170 ext. 14.
  
  We would 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; 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: Adesco Auctioneers.
  Donations for the live and silent auctions worth $50 and above are currently being accepted until October 3, 2007. If you would like to donate an item please contact Chris Geno, Director of Industry & Media Relations at the LCVA at 703-771-2170 ext. 17 to receive the donation forms.
  
  We have some fabulous items up for auction, including:
  2 round trip flights on Jet Blue with no restrictions; 2 round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines with no restrictions; a Caribbean cruise, a 3 day/2night Caribbean getaway at the Grand Cayman Marriott; a 3 day/2 night getaway at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott; a London/Chelsea Flower Show package; a week long vacation house rental in Florida; a foursome for golf at Lowes Island; hotel packages; limousine packages; artwork, restaurant gift certificates; sports memorabilia; gift baskets. To download an invitation and see a list of auction items, please click here.
  
  
• Cooperative Marketing and Advertising Plan: If you would like to participate in one of our upcoming co-op opportunities, please click here to be taken to the Marketing Department section of our Corporate Website and scroll down to the "FY08 Cooperative Marketing and Advertising Opportunities" file under "Important Documents." Contact Jeremy Harvey at 703-771-2170 ext 18 for more information.
  
  
• The deadline for the next round of applications for the LCVA Cooperative Marketing Fund is November 2, 2007. For more information, and application forms, click here.
  
  
• The LCVA provided talking points and b-roll footage to the producers of WJLA for their new program, Today's New Homes which airs on Saturdays.
  
  
• The LCVA provided b-roll footage and images to the producers of WCBS in New York for a segment with Travel + Leisure Magazine.
  
  
• The LCVA worked with a freelance writer from DC and Breaux Vineyards on a story for a DC publication.
  
  
• The LCVA hosted UK travel writer, Abi Gooderham, from OK! Hot Stars (circulation 650,000) and Star Magazine (circulation 268,797), who visited The Holiday Inn Leesburg, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, and Tarara Winery.
  
  
• The LCVA worked with Selena Chavis from ConventionSouth Magazine on their Insider Guide feature on Northern Virginia for the October Issue.
  
  
• Earned media on Loudoun County included a portrait of Lansdowne's Sommelier in Virginia Living and an article on Loudoun County in Tidewater Women, both by Peggy Sijswerda, who took part in the LCVA press trip in May.
  
  
• The LCVA conducted a photo shoot to photograph food dishes for the upcoming culinary tourism guide.
  
  
• The LCVA facilitated two of four video shoots in support of the video podcast tours Destination Strategy project.
  
  
• The LCVA revised the Towns & Villages Guide to Loudoun County, Virginia and began production. Contact Heather Hassell at 703-771-2170 ext. 20 if you would like to receive a quantity.
  
  
• The LCVA fulfilled 2,531 information requests as a result of a Loudoun County household mailing for DVD's, brochures, etc.
  

• The Hampton Inn and Suites Dulles is pleased to announce that Michele Mahabir has accepted the position of Sales Manager at the hotel. The Hampton Inn and Suites Dulles is a brand new 170 room hotel that is scheduled to open in mid-October 2007.
  
  
• The Dulles Hotel Connection is proud to announce that the Hampton Inn Dulles North will be converting to the Best Western Inn Dulles in October 2007. The hotel is currently undergoing approximately $1 million in renovations that include microwaves and refrigerators being added to all rooms. Please contact the Dulles Hotel Connection at 703-563-1500 for any questions regarding the new Best Western Inn Dulles.
  
  
• The Dulles Hotel Connection is proud to announce that Tami Crane has accepted the position of Regional Senior Sales Manager. Tami is responsible for the corporate and government markets for the eight hotels in the Dulles Hotel Connection. DullesHotelConnection.com
  
  
• Fabbioli Cellars Awards: The Virginia Governor's Cup winners were just announced and the 2006 Chambourcin won a gold Medal!! Cabernet Franc took a Silver, and Bronze medals went to both the Raspberry Merlot and the Tre Sorelle.
  
  
• Executive Chef Jason Lage's vision for the all-new restaurant On the Potomac at Lansdowne Resort, formerly The Grille, is of an eclectic dining experience featuring fine regional, American cuisine utilizing fresh, local ingredients. The best of everything the Virginia countryside has to offer is skillfully prepared and presented in a casual, yet elegant setting. For more information and reservations call Lansdowne Resort at 703-729-8400 or visit LansdowneResort.com.
  
  
• Governer Tim Kaine and other local Loudoun leaders broke ground on September 25, 2007 at the site of the future One Loudoun development at the corner of Rt. 7 and Loudoun County Parkway. The new development will offer 3 million sq. ft. of office space, 700,000 sq. ft. of retail space for fine dining restaurants, shops, two hotels, and a movie theater.
  
  
• Morven Park is offering the following weekend living history tours in October and November:
  Fighting & Frolicking: The Civil War Comes to Morven Park - Saturdays, October 6 & 20
  1918: A Living History Program on World War I and the Home Front - Saturdays, October 27, November 3 & 17
  Christmas 1861 with the 17th Mississippi Regiment - Saturday & Sunday, November 10 & 11
  All programs start at the Coach House Visitor Center, and are offered between 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visit MorvenPark.org for more information.
  
  
• The Loudoun Fall Farm Tour will take place the weekend of October 20 - 21, 2007. New farms this year are Higgly Farm, featuring alpacas; Rock Hill Farm, offering tours of late 18th and early 19th century outbuildings, as well as horsemanship demonstrations; and Willow Hawk Farm, dedicated to the production of sheep fiber and meat products consistent with "eco-ganic" farming. Tour information is available at LoudounFarms.org, or you may request to have a brochure mailed to you by calling 703-777-0426 or by email.
  
  
• The National Air & Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will again host the annual Air & Scare event on Saturday, October 27, 2007. The event, which last year drew 17,500 visitors, will feature a variety of free activities for all ages, including hands-on learning experiences, films, storytelling, aviation-themed characters, and treat stations. If your company would like to be a sponsor for the treat stations or make donations to the event, please contact Frank McNally in the Communications Office of the Hazy Center at 703-572-4040 as soon as possible.
  
  
• The Town of Leesburg hosts Court and Market Day on October 20, 2007. Traders, demonstrators, historians, musicians and other characters will help to bring alive the history and heritage of Leesburg. The event is free and will be hosted in the downtown historic district. For more information please visit IdaLee.org or contact Ida Lee Recreation Center at 703-777-1368.
  
  
• Market Salamander hosts monthly Cooking Classes. Improve your skills and impress your friends! Learn how to create dazzling canapés, appetizers and main courses from our talented chefs. Bring a friend or make it a date - it's a great evening adventure that includes a gourmet meal prepared before you. These popular classes are limited in size and fill up fast. Register early to save your spot! This month's cooking class, "That Time Again: A White Truffle Celebration", will occur on Tuesday, October 16th, where students will prepare port poached pears with white truffle ice cream. All cooking classes are held from 7-8:30 p.m. at Market Salamander and the cost is $ 75.00 per person. To register, please contact either Lauren Osborn or Donna Williamson at 540-687-8011. For more information, visit Market-Salamander.com.
  
  
• Market Salamander hosts monthly afternoon teas.
  Help yourself to a selection of tea varieties, including Market Salamander Tea Urchin; Mighty Leaf African Nectar, Bombay Chai, Marrakesh Mint Green Tea, and The Vert Fuji Yama teas. The chefs at Market Salamander also provide a selection of savory tea sandwiches and scrumptious pastries and desserts to please your palate. The Afternoon Tea for October will be held on Wednesday, October 17th at 1:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00 per person. To register, please contact either Lauren Osborn or Donna Williamson at 540-687-8011. For more information, visit Market-Salamander.com.
  
  
• There will be four new business ribbon cuttings in Leesburg in the first week of October:
  Pei Wei (pronounced pay-way) Wednesday, October 3rd at 10:30 a.m. - Leesburg Plaza Shopping Center
  Aylesbury Antique Center & Tea Room, Friday, October 5th 4:30 p.m. -212 Loudoun Street
  Huntington Learning Center, Friday, October 5th 5:30 p.m. - Bellwood Commons Shopping Center
  Gill Wellness Center - 11 West Market Street, Saturday, October 6th, 1 p.m.
  
  
• Virginia has retained its highest possible ranking as a Tier 1 state in the 2007 Moody's U.S. States Credit Scorecard. The report also noted that Virginia has retained its Triple-A bond rating. Likewise, Standard & Poor's, another leading agency, also affirmed Virginia's Triple-A status in its June U.S. Public Finance Report Card. Fitch, the third bond rating agency also reaffirmed the state's Triple-A bond rating in June.
  
  
• October is officially Virginia Wine Month. Virginia, home to more than 130 wineries, is the fifth largest wine producing state in the country. Wineries, restaurants, and destinations across the state will celebrate Virginia Wine Month with special events throughout October.
  
  Virginia's wineries are earning significant accolades. In July, Travel + Leisure magazine named Virginia one of five up-and-coming wine destinations in the world, along with wine-producing regions in Italy, Spain, Chile, and New Zealand. The magazine's wine editor cited the state's wineries, authentic cuisine and accommodations as factors that make Virginia a top wine destination.
  
  In 2006, Virginia was rated 8th in the nation for wine tourism and 15th for food-related travel in the first-ever national culinary tourism report from the Travel Industry Association of America.
  
  
• The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is happy to report that HR 1483 Celebrating America's Heritage Act, which includes the designation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground as a National Heritage Area, is now on its way to the full House of Congress after being voted favorably out of the House Natural Resources Committee.
  
  
• Tarara Winery just finished the2007 summer concert series and was able to donate almost $2000 to the Virginia Tech Spirit fund as a result of the success this event experienced. 
  
  Heather Akers, Event Manager at Tarara Winery for eight years has been promoted to Director of Sales as Tarara restructures the organization and positions itself for continued growth.  Steven Hubert, the owner's son, has officially announced his involvement in leading the company into the next decade. 
  
  Positions available at Tarara include an Event Manager and a Marketing Assistant.  Please contact Heather Akers at Tarara for more information at 703-771-7100 ext 234.
  

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 attended ASAE and made more than 98 contacts with organizations that can bring meetings and conventions to Loudoun County.
  
  
• The LCVA spent a ½ day with Parks & Recreation visiting sports facilities to prepare for selling Loudoun at our upcoming six sports tradeshows.
  
  
• The LCVA networked with DC/VA meeting planners at the VSAE, AMPs, SGMP, and ASAE chapter meetings.
  
  
• The LCVA would like to welcome the following new members who joined in September: The Dock at Lansdowne, Fusions Catering, Magnolias at the Mill, Point to Point Limousine, National Transportation Safety Board, Jean Brown.
  
  
• Renewing LCVA members the LCVA would like to welcome back in September: Harmon's Hayrides, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Courtyard by Marriott Dulles Town Center, Middle Grove Inn, BB&T Bank, Virginia National Golf Course, Residence Inn by Marriott, Celebrations Hospitality, Reston Limousine, Dulles Town Center.