WHAT: The 8th Annual Midnight Madness Shopping event has been called the “Super Bowl of Shopping”. At the stoke of Midnight Thanksgiving Night, November 27 the Madness will begin again. It is not for the faint of heart, it takes stamina to shop all night and unearth all the bargains.

Here are a few examples of the savings customers can find around Carolina Premium Outlets beginning at Midnight:

Adidas –30% off entire store
Aeropostale – 50% off entire store
Banana Republic Factory Store– 40% off entire store
Brooks Brothers Factory Store – 20% off entire purchase
Gymboree – 25% off entire purchase
Harry & David - 25% off entire store
Jones New York- 50% off one item
Nautica – 20% off entire purchase
Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store – 20% off $150 or more
Tommy Hilfiger – 40% off entire store

WHEN: Midnight, November 27 (Thanksgiving Night). Additional Holiday hours are 9am-pm Monday-Saturday and Sunday 10 am-7pm until December 31.

WHERE: Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield. Conveniently located just off I-95, exit 95 at 1025 Industrial Park Dr.

Carolina Premium Outlets is home to over 80 designer and brand name outlet stores with everyday savings of 25-65%. Gift Cards are available at the shopping center or from the website at www.premiumoutlets.com/carolina. They are available at the Information Center during all center hours and may be redeemed at any store in our Center.

CONTACT: Linda Crowder, Carolina Premium Outlets at 919-989-8757.

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Angie Abrams, our Sales Manager at the Visitors Bureau has taken another job opportunity with the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau. We wish her well at her new job and we now embark on our quest to fill the open position here at JCVB.

With this opening, we are taking the opportunity to revise some of the job duties to include more marketing and publicity such as e-marketing and developing leisure marketing campaigns. The job description can be found on the JCVB web site, www.johnstoncountync.org under the About JCVB section.

Sales & Marketing Manager job announcement:

The Johnston County Visitors Bureau in Smithfield, has an immediate full-time opening for a Sales & Marketing Manager. Candidate performs sales and marketing activities that promote Johnston County tourism to meeting planners, group tour operators and the leisure travel market. Position handles e-marketing and publicity campaigns, database management, recruiting and supervising volunteers, and liaison efforts to the local tourism industry including distribution of print materials and event services.

Requirements: 4-year degree, three years work experience in tourism related field, CVB experience a plus. Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to travel, working nights and weekends.

Application available online at www.johnstoncountync.org
Closing date: 11/17/08

We look forward to the next chapter at JCVB and welcoming someone new to our team! We work hard here and have a huge task to represent not only Johnston County tourism, but individual marketing efforts for the Towns of Smithfield, Selma, Kenly and Benson. Life is never dull and boring that is for sure.

This October, the Johnston County Tourism Authority will say farewell to four Board Members who have served 3 to 6 years helping the Visitors Bureau promote tourism in the county.  I just wanted to utilize this forum to thank them for their years of volunteer service to the Johnston County Visitors Bureau and to say how much I will miss their guidance and support.

Marcia Woodall, of DeWayne’s Home & Garden Showplace has served three years and leaves to tend to the demands of her job as Marketing Director of DeWayne’s.  Becky Brannon of the Royal Inn in Selma has served three years and resigns to handle the operation of the hotel.  Ruth Woodall, retired owner of American Classic Charters, has completed her term and she now volunteers at Johnston Medical Center.  Debbie Elam, Johnston Community College, Country Music Showcase has fulfilled her term representing the Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce.

Each of these board members has brought years of experience, support and passion for the county’s tourism growth and again, you will be missed.

If you feel that volunteering with the Johnston County Tourism Authority is something you might be interested in, please feel free to contact us at 919-989-8687 for more information.  Not only do we have board positions open up on occasion, but we are in need of volunteers to work in the office, especially with database management.  To learn more about the Visitors Bureau, visit our web site, www.johnstoncountync.org

The Tourism Authority reaches out to all corners of the county supporting local community events to bring awareness to area groups hosting events such as the Archer’s Lodge, Bentonville and McGee’s Crossroads Communities. 

The following is a list of grants awarded for 2008-2009.

Town of Benson received the following grants:  Benson Mule Days, $1,000; Sundown in Downtown Concerts, $250; Benson Parks & Recreation Department, 4th of July, $250; Benson Singing Convention, $500; Downtown Benson Cinema Nights, $250.

Town of Clayton received the following grants:  Clayton Chamber Harvest Festival, $750; Clayton Development Foundation Town Square Concerts, $250; Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation, Cherryholmes, $250 and Southern Fried Chicks, $250; Clayton Youth Theatre, Bye Bye Birdie, $250.

The Cleveland Community, I-40, Exit 312, recieved two grants for the Cleveland Area Chamber of Commerce, Strawberry Festival, $500 and Celebrate Cleveland 4th of July, $250.

The Town of Four Oaks recieved the following grants:  The Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce, Oaktober Fest, $250 and Four Oaks Acorn Festival, $500.

The Town of Kenly received the following grants:  Kenly Chamber of Commerce, Krusin’ Kenly, $500; Tobacco Farm Life Museum received grants for the Fall Heritage Day, $500 and Anniversary Event, $500.

Town of Selma received the following grants:  Selma Development Partnership, East Coast Antique Show, $250 and Selma Car Classic, $250; Selma Parks & Recreation, Selma Railroad Days, $750 and All American 4th of July, $250.

Town of Smithfield received the following grants:  Johnston Community College Arboretum, Southern Gardens, $250; JCC Country Music Showcase, $500; Ava Gardner Museum Film Festival, $250; Downtown Smithfield Development, Ham & Yam Festival, $1000; Downtown Smithfield 4th of July, $250; Neuse Little Theatre, The Miracle Worker, $250; Smithfield Parks & Recreation, Halloween Egg Hunt, $250 and Movie Nights, $250.

The Town of Wilson’s Mills Parks & Recreation Department received $250 for the Pumpkin Festival held each October.

The Town of Pine Level received $250 for their July 4th celebration and the Town of Princeton received $250 for the Annual Veteran’s Day event.

Other county wide organizations or community groups receiving grants were:  Archer Lodge Family Fun Day, 4th of July, $250; Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Anniversary Event, $500; Coats Museum of Local History, McGee’s Crossroads, 4th of July, $250; Johnston County Arts Council, Short Circuit Film Festival, $250 and The Big Read, $500; Southern Johnston Baseball Association, SJ Invitational, $250 and Tarheel Dist V Tournament, $250.

For more information on these county events, visit the Johnston County Visitors Bureau web site, www.johnstoncountync.org

(Smithfield, NC)  -  Johnston County Animal Services will be hosting an open house on Saturday, September 13^th from 10am-4pm, and the event is open to the public with all activities free of charge.

The Animal Shelter is always in need of basic items to care for the animals that they have taken in. If you are coming out to the Open House, bring a bag of Kitty Litter, Laundry detergent, bleach, dog or cat treats and in return you can get a FREE “Paw-B-Que” sandwich and some “Purr-fect Sweet Tea!”.  Support from Chick-fil-a and Parker’s Barbecue have made this fun activity possible. 

The Johnston County Visitors Bureau has partnered with Animal Services to help raise funds for the Friends of Johnston County Animal Shelter, a 501 (c) 3 organization.  The Visitors Bureau will raffle a gift basket of wonderful gifts and services for pets and pet owners with a value well over $300, by selling $5 tickets the day of the open house. 

Items donated for the basket include:  Ceramic Pet Food bowl and Doggie Cologne from Sweet Paws, $100 gift certificate for Photography by Heidi Wood, Clayton, Dog collar and leash from Martha’s Farm and Garden Supply, $50 Gift Certificate to Texas Steakhouse and Saloon,  60 minute Relaxation Massage, by Massage Therapist Heather Looney at the Dupree House Day Spa, Jar of Blackberry Preserves from the Smithfield Ham Shop, Bottle of Wine and Two wine glasses from Hinnant Family Vineyards and Winery, Two tickets to the American Music Jubilee Show at the Rudy Theatre in Selma, Pets Supplies from Johnston Animal Hospital and Willowrun Veterinary Hospital and pet bed, food bowls, pets toys from Pet Smart.

Not only can visitors to the event enjoy barbecue and sweet tea and get a chance to win the gift basket, but there will be a host of events and services for your pet.  Here are just a few of the day’s planned activities:

• US Equine Rescue League will have horses on display as well as demonstrations with the horses.

• Johnston County Animal Protection League will be having a “Dog-Wash” $7 for the first dog, and $5 for the second dog with $5 nail trimmings.

• Pony rides for the children

• DJ with Live Music all day, provided by Langston Productions from Four Oaks.

• Celebrating World Rabies Day- Bring out your dog or cat for $5 rabies shots.

• Micro-chipping sponsored by the American Kennel Club for $10

• Appearance by NCSU’s Ms. Wuf from 11:30-1pm

• Other vendors scheduled to be at the Open House are Tupperware, Big Dogs Outlet Store, Ask a Vet table, Groomers will be on hand to answer questions, Saving Grace Pet Rescue, and Reins from Above

The staffs of the Animal Shelter and the Visitors Bureau invite you to come see your Animal Shelter in Johnston County, Saturday, September 13, 10am-4pm at 1320 N. Bright Leaf Blvd. Smithfield.  Tours will be available as well as pet adoptions!  Monetary donations are always accepted by the Friends of the Johnston County Animal Shelter, which is the 501 (c) 3, for the Animal Shelter.  For more information on the day’s events, contact Ernie Wilkinson at 919-934-8474.

September 6, 2008      Crush and Shag Harvest Festival at Hinnant Family Vineyards will hold their first beach music festival with The Embers in Pine Level, event time 12-6pm.  Call for ticket prices, 919-965-3350.

September 13       2nd Annual Oktoberfest sponsored by Edelweiss Bakery & Cafe hosts this German-style street festival with the 18-piece “Little German Band and Dancers” in Selma.  Free admission, event time 12N-8pm.  919-965-8170.

September 17-21      Clayton Harvest Festival will fill the streets of downtown Clayton with carnival rides, live music, arts and crafts, an antique car show and much more.  Event times, Wed-Fri, 5-11pm, Sat. 9am-11pm, Sun 1-5pm.  919-553-6352

September 24-27      Ava Gardner Film Festivalhonors Johnston County native, Ava Gardner’s connection to film and her passion for creative arts.  Enjoy films, documentaries, shorts and features Wednesday through Saturday in Downtown Smithfield.  Special exhibits will open at the Museum on Friday and the Arts & Fine Crafts Marketplace, sponsored by the JoCo Artist Guild will be Sat., 10-4pm.  For more information, visit www.avafilmfestival.comor call 919-934-5830.  Admisssion charged.

September 25-28      Benson Mule Days, has become a southern tradition and is packed with mule events, rodeos, BBQ cook-off, arts and crafts, street dances and concerts.  For a complete event schedule, visit www.bensonmuledays.comor call 919-894-3825  Admission charged.  Events held throughout the Town of Benson and Chamber Park.

September 27      5th Annual Faith Festival held in Downtown Smithfield presents a Christian rock concert for youth.  Event time, 5-10pm.  Free.  Neuse River Amphitheatre, Front Street, Smithfield. 

For the busy family (which is all of us, I am sure!), we suggest you print out this page and keep these dates on the family calendar to enjoy what’s happening in September in Johnston County!

  (Smithfield, NC)

The Ava Gardner Museum has set the last week in September every year for this popular new festival that draws thousands of visitors to Smithfield.  From Wednesday through Saturday, the festival will feature independent films, documentaries, narratives, short films and features.  In addition to the films, there will be special museum exhibits and the JOCO Artist Guild sponsored Arts & Fine Crafts Marketplace near the Ava Gardner Museum located in Historic Downtown Smithfield.

“On the Beach”, for which Ava won the BAFTA Film Award at the Best Foreign Actress for her role as Moira Davidson will be shown, as well as, “Earthquake” starring Charlton Heston, and “The Night of the Iguana”, with Richard Burton which was shot in the remote location of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, which has now become a resort destination.  There will be five locations around downtown Smithfield that will show films including the theatre at the Ava Gardner Museum and the Historic Howell Theatre on Third Street - the same theatre that a young Ava watched her first movies starring legends Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.

The following schedule of activities has been set for this year’s festival.  Tickets for individual films will be $2.00 each or festival patrons may buy an all inclusive pass that covers all movies, opening events and parties for $75.00 per person.  Tickets to the festival parties and special events will be available on an individual basis through the museum.

Wednesday, September 24

Kick off Party and Opening Screening Event of “Lost and Found in Mexico”, a documentary by Caren Cross at the Ava Gardner Museum, 7pm - until.

Thursday, September 25

Film screenings begin, 12N and run until

“The Night of the Iguana”, Town Commons Amphitheater, 7pm - until

Friday, September 26

Special Exhibits Open, Ava Gardner Museum, 9am-5pm

Film screenings begin 12N and run until

Reception and opening art exhibit at the Frank Creek Art Gallery at the Johnston Community College, 7pm-9pm

Saturday, September 27

Breakfast with the film makers, place TBD

Special Exhibits Opens, Ava Gardner Museum, 9am-5pm

Film Screenings Open, 10am-11pm

Arts & Fine Crafts Marketplace, Sponsored by the JOCO Artist Guild, 10am-4pm

Party at Little Brown Jug, II - 7pm

Wrap Party, Ava Gardner Museum, 11pm - until

For more information check out the Ava Gardner Museun’s web site at www.avafilmfestival.com or email Angela Lawson, Museum Director at avainfo@avagardner.org

The Ava Gardner Museum is located at 325 E. Market Street in the heart of downtown Smithfield, NC.  The Museum is dedicated to displaying and preserving artifacts from the life of screen legend Ava Gardner.  The museum’s hours are Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday 2pm-5pm.  Admission is $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for Seniors and teens and $4.00 for children 5-12 years old.

Based on our research, consumers are still traveling, but cutting back on spending in retail, restaurants and where they can to make ends meet.  DMOs are offering deals, gas cards and savings to consumers to encourage more travel spending. 

The Johnston County Visitors Bureau has made some marketing adjustments of our own to reach those families staying closer to home this summer or in our neighboring states of Virginia and South Carolina who may take some short trips. The Johnston County Visitors Bureau has started a multi-level targeted email marketing campaign.  In the past, we may have launched a direct mail campaign to our inquiry database or placed advertising in key target markets like Richmond, VA, but in the interest of time and budget we have chosen email.

We have pulled together two marketing programs called “Summer Savings in Smithfield and Selma” and “101 Things to Do in Johnston County”, both of which may be found on our web site, www.johnstoncountync.org.  Both these programs feature businesses, attractions and events that visitors (and residents with visiting friends and family) can enjoy this summer.  These campaigns have been promoted with publicity and email marketing to over 5,000 opt-in contacts from NC, SC and VA.

Email marketing is definitely quicker than printing postcards and postage for direct mail campaigns or launching an advertising campaign and has the right price (mere dollars per 1,000 emails).  We have decided to launch several email marketing campaigns to our niche markets of outlet shopping, civil war enthusiasts, recreational, group tours, film and famous people lists, antique shoppers and special events (arts & festivals).

Another budget saving initiative that the Visitors Bureau began over two year’s ago was reinventing the I-95 CVB Association, which now has become the I-95 Tourism Marketing Alliance.   In an effort to market the I-95 corridor as a destination and not just a “pass-through” to some other vacation point, the seven tourism organizations will be placing cooperative ads and attending tradeshows as I-95 NC Destinations.  This $65,000 campaign was supported by the Golden Leaf Foundation which provided funds for research, development of a trails brochure and a web site for the group.  The first year alone, these efforts saved our Visitors Bureau over $15,000 and with a three-year strategic plan, we hope to grow this program each year.

No one organization has the magic pill to cure the economic woes we all face in the United States, but history shows that we have weathered tough times before and remained strong and I believe we are still the greatest country in the world to live, work and play. 

What is outstanding about the travel industry in Johnston County and all of North Carolina is we not only get to market our destinations for visitors but to showcase what makes us unique, our heritage and people that make our communities attractive to visitors….and we are an economic driver for the businesses that make up our industry…hotels, attractions, shopping, transportation services, restaurants, events and festivals and meetings markets.

We encourage everyone to travel and enjoy what may be in your very own back yard.  You don’t have to travel far to experience history, museums, recreation and some fine Southern cooking…just drive to Johnston County!

From recreation at Howell Woods or Clemmons State Forest, entertainment at American Music Jubilee, Johnston Community College or The Clayton Center, outlet shopping at Carolina Premium Outlets or JR’s, great food products (Johnston County Hams, Pound Cake Company, Atkinson’s Mill, Carolina Packer Hot Dogs) or just a picnic at Benson Singing Grove, there are a host of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

It was fairly easy to come up with these ideas and I bet someone else could come up with 50-100 more ideas to share with locals and visitors that have not discovered the many treasures in the county.  So I send out a challenge to the readers of the Visitors Bureau BLOG to send in your favorite things to do and we will create a “reader’s choice” list of activities around the county.  Have fun trying out the first 101 Things To Do List!!!

For a list of visitor events taking place this summer, visit the Events Page on the Johnston County Visitors Bureau web site, www.johnstoncountync.org