Search
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the region’s tourism and destination marketing organization, recently partnered with the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance to host the 2024 MATPRA Media Marketplace, marking the first time the event has been held in the Roanoke Region.
The event was held August 27-29 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in Downtown Roanoke, and it brought over 50 travel writers and media to experience Virginia’s Blue Ridge as a travel destination. The conference showcased the accessibility of Roanoke & Virginia's Blue Ridge, with 10% of attending media utilizing the Amtrak passenger train service to Downtown Roanoke.
More than 165 publications were represented by the journalists, editors, freelancers, and content creators in attendance, including nationally and internationally recognized outlets such as Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Forbes, and many more.
In addition to multiple days of meetings at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail reception on multiple floors of Center in the Square and dinner at the new Six & Sky Rooftop Grille at Center in the Square in Downtown Roanoke
Each attendee participated in guided tours that introduced them to other unique communities, neighborhoods, and fun things to do in the region. The tours showcased local attractions and businesses such as the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke County’s Explore Park, Roaring Run, Twin Creeks Distillery, Downtown Salem, and the charming Grandin Village & Wasena Neighborhoods.
The event also featured a special VBR Maker’s Market, where attendees could shop and learn about items made by local artisans and craftspeople from throughout the region.
Many attendees shared their experiences in real-time with posts and updates on their social media channels, with Visit VBR noting over 200+ related social media features during the event.
Generating media exposure and editorial coverage for the region is an integral part of Visit VBR’s PR program, which cultivates relationships with writers, content creators, and publications to raise awareness of the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge as a premier metro mountain vacation destination.
Visit VBR is grateful for the partnership of the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance and The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in bringing this event to the destination. We'd also like to thank the dozens of local businesses from all 5 of Visit VBR's funding jurisdictions that were crucial in making the event a success by welcoming the attendees and providing them with a first-class experience. The attendees provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experience and their time in the region.
Visit VBR also appreciates the support of its funding jurisdictions, the City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Roanoke County, Franklin County, and Botetourt County, as well as the state tourism agency - Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Follow @visitvbr on social media and subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to learn more about other exciting things happening in the region.
