Wanderlust Cancels Due to Coronavirus
SQUAW VALLEY
Due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus, Wanderlust CEO Sean Hoess announced the cancellation of 2020 events in the U.S.
“Last week, our partners in Asia were forced to cancel planned events in China, Singapore, and several other Asian countries due to coronavirus,” he wrote in a post. “Those cancellations have had a significant impact on the financial position of our parent company here in the U.S., and raise the question of whether it would be prudent to put our three planned U.S. events on sale in the coming weeks.” The cancellation comes about after weighing “the real possibility of future corona-related disruptions here.”
~ Wanderlust CEO message
Petitioning for a North Lake TBID
NORTH SHORE
The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association is leading an effort to form a Tourism Business Improvement District, with the goal of gaining control over funds generated in North Lake Tahoe and working with local businesses in eastern Placer County to direct spending. If approved, the TBID will also free up $4.1 million in transient occupancy tax dollars for workforce housing and transportation initiatives across the region.
“The TBID vote is a unique two-for-one deal that allows us to implement transportation and housing solutions while continuing to invest in our local business community,” said Douglas Dale, owner of Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique in Tahoe City. “As a business that is directly affected by traffic and housing issues, this investment unlocks our ability to solve a critical issue that must be addressed for our community to thrive.”
Petitions have already started to arrive in mailboxes, and the NLTRA has requested receipt of signed petitions by March 16. The TBID process moves to the Placer County Board of Supervisors for next steps if 51% of North Tahoe businesses sign petitions in favor of it.
~ Liz Bowling, NLTRA communications
Marketing Team Wins Visit California Awards
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
North Lake Tahoe’s Treasures of Tahoe and Human Nature campaigns earned coveted industry recognition for its content marketing and digital marketing efforts at the Visit California Poppy Awards.
The biennial ceremony, which recognizes excellence in tourism promotion throughout the Golden State, was held Feb. 11 in San Diego. This marks the second time this year that the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative’s marketing programs were honored for Treasures of Tahoe (winner for Best Content Marketing Initiative) and Human Nature (winner for Best Digital Marketing Campaign).
~ North Lake Tahoe Resort Association press release
Delta Air Lines Upgrading Nonstop Atlanta Service
RENO
Delta Air Lines will upgrade its existing seasonal nonstop service to year-round between Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, in June 2020.
The year-round Atlanta service began as a four-times-a-week service on Feb. 14 on Delta’s 199-seat Boeing 757 aircraft, featuring 20 first class, 20 Delta Comfort Plus, and 150 main cabin seats. The daily flight begins on June 4 for the summer season.
~ RTAA press release
Free Workshop for Hospitality Industry
TAHOE CITY
Incline Village General Improvement District, Sierra Business Council, greenUP!, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Western Nevada College have partnered to offer a free Green Lodging Workshop for small to medium hotels, lodges, and the hospitality industry.
While the organizers are targeting small to medium hotels and lodges around the Lake Tahoe region and vicinity, any hospitality establishment or industry professional may attend the event to learn best practices for operating at the highest environmental operational efficiency.
~ greenUP! press release
Award Season for Local Winery
TRUCKEE
Truckee River Winery was once again recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. At this year’s 20th annual event, the winery took home four awards:
- Silver for 2018 Pinot Noir
- Silver for 2018 Chardonnay
- Bronze for 2018 Zinfandel
- Bronze for 2016 Malbec
~ Truckee River Winery press release
Local Businesses Doing Well in Lackluster Snow Year
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Locals and visitors looking to enjoy the Tahoe lifestyle can have a taste of both snow and sun, and businesses aren’t necessarily complaining. Snow in the mountains allows avid skiers to enjoy runs, then head to town for shopping in warm weather and sunshine. Last year’s snowy February made it difficult for people to shop, said Cooking Gallery owner Mike Preaseau, adding, “this year, even though we’ve had no snow, business has been better and people have been able to come up.”
The resorts are still thriving, too. Northstar’s Russ Carlton, senior manager of communications, said, “Northstar has the majority of terrain open, with 95 of 100 trails available. Sunny days are great for spring skiing and riding, and Northstar’s guests have been enjoying the conditions.”
~ AH
Surf Air Acquires BlackBird
SAN FRANCISCO
BlackBird CEO and founder Rudd Davis announced Feb. 16 the joining of forces with Surf Air, planning together to transform the 50- to 400-mile mobility market. “By combining Surf Air’s memberships with BlackBird’s marketplace,” Davis wrote, “our customers will have more options and flexibility to get anywhere they want to go.” Both airlines have historically had flights in and out of the Truckee Tahoe Airport, and the merged company will continue to do so.
~ BlackBird newsletter
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Interim IVGID General Manager to Be Installed Permanently
INCLINE VILLAGE
Indra Winquest, who has served as Incline Village General Improvement District’s interim general manager since August 2019, will be promoted to the permanent position on April 14, provided Winquest and the GID’s board chair come to an agreement on an employment contract.
~ AH
LTCC President Tapped for Fellowship
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
Sierra Lake Tahoe Community College Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco has been selected for a prestigious honor from The Aspen Institute. DeFranco was one of 25 community college presidents nationwide chosen to participate in the Institute’s inaugural Aspen New Presidents Fellowship for College Excellence program, an intensive learning experience that exposes community college presidents who are within their first five years on the job to the best research and practices known to improve student outcomes and success. DeFranco is in his fourth year as president of LTCC.
~ LTCC press release
Tahoe Forest Health Welcomes New Physician
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce that Julie Ann Torman, MD, has joined their team at Tahoe Forest Gastroenterology. Torman attended medical school at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the digestive/gastrointestinal (GI) tract. She completed her internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and her gastroenterology fellowship at the Stanford University Medical Center. Torman is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and gastroenterology.
~ TFHS press release
Main Image Caption: POPPY POWER: The North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative was recognized for its content marketing and digital marketing efforts at the Visit California Poppy Awards. Photo courtesy North Lake Tahoe Resort Association
