Southern Delaware

www.VisitSouthernDelaware.com

OVERVIEW

Southern Delaware offers Five-Star beaches, bays, waterways, hiking and biking trails, and incredible scenic beauty. It’s full of meeting-friendly venues suited to groups of 25-500, a range of accommodations from oceanfront luxury to budget-friendly, and everything from boardwalk fries to fine dining, plus a vibrant winery, brewery and distillery scene along its famed Culinary Coast™.

Visiting groups will find team building activities that include outdoor adventure, eight signature golf courses, watersports, indoor activities, entertainment, tax-free shopping, dining, and meeting space.

WHAT’S NEW

Southern Delaware recently welcomed four new hotels to its accommodations profile, including: Fenwick Shores, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Fenwick Island; Residence Inn by Marriott in Rehoboth Beach; Home 2 Suites by Hilton in Lewes; and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Rehoboth Beach. Additionally, the Bellmoor Inn and Spa in downtown Rehoboth Beach is building a new bar and restaurant that will feature its own cuisine and bar menu for the first time since the days when the property was The Dinner Bell Inn.

Greater Good Events, based out of Children’s Beach House in Lewes, is the new catering arm of the organization and provides quality food, space and event planning for events and more. The venue offers an educational program of professional development courses in leadership, communication, conflict resolution, cultural competency and even customized training. A portion of the cost benefits the nonprofit Children’s Beach House.

Garden Patio at the Bellmoor in Rehoboth Beach, DE;

photo courtesy: Southern Delaware Tourism

The Freeman Stage in Selbyville has changed its name to the Freeman Arts Pavilion for its 2021 season. Future plans include building a $27-million venue with seating capacity for 4,000 (1,100 under roof). The new venue will provide state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video, an expanded dining area and production space. Phase One, the 2021 season, will accommodate over 2,000 patrons in pods of 4 with current physical distancing guidelines in place.

Delaware Botanic Gardens in Dagsboro will reopen on March 18 with new trails and will feature the Meadow Garden, which showcases 70,000 native plants. This year, a new observation deck overlooks Pepper Creek for close views of wildlife, "Living Shoreline" plantings, and natural, innovative erosion protection.

The town of Milton is home to a lavender farm and features a number of seasonal offerings. A spring visit boasts hundreds of blooming bulbs, such as tulips, allium and daffodils while a trip here in June showcases row after row of lavender blooming.

At Holts Landing State Park, Dagsboro, visitors can hike the shoreline, intertidal zone, salt marsh, maritime forest and borrow pits along its newly updated ADA-accessible Sea Hawk Trail, which takes visitors over marshland and through the woods off the coast of Indian River Bay.

Visit Barn Hill Preserve in Frankford and try out kangaroo yoga, enjoy an up-close and personal sloth encounter, or attend a Sippin’ with Sloths event in collaboration with Salted Vines Vineyard and Winery.

Cape Water Tours in Lewes is in the planning and scheduling stages of offering water taxi service from Lewes to the new Grove Park Canal Dock in downtown Rehoboth Beach. They are expecting to offer this service once a week in 2021 due to COVID restrictions. They are also hoping to run select tours from the Rehoboth Canal Dock. These new offerings will be in addition to their seven day a week schedule of tours in Lewes.

Coastal Kayak, Fenwick Island, will offer new sunset sailing tours for up to six participants.

The Rehoboth Art League and the City of Rehoboth will present the Rehoboth Arts Festival on May 22 at Grove Park, where artists will showcase and sell their work. FOOD & DRINK

Revelation Craft Brewing offers tents that are 90 percent air tight, which means the heaters bring in fresh air from the outside while the air inside is pushed out.

Run by local oyster farmers, Rehoboth Bay Oyster Company recently opened just north of Dewey Beach; Good Earth Market in Ocean View has renovated its dining patio overlooking a garden; Beaches Seafood has opened a second location in Milton; while DiFebo’s Market opened in February in Bethany Beach.

Square One in downtown Rehoboth Beach opened in February and Milton’s Dough Bar now has its own stand-alone location with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

Southern Delaware Tourism (SDT) offers a $300 for 30 incentive to groups booking 30 or more Sussex County hotel room nights for a single event. Eligible groups will receive a $300 rebate from SDT upon proof of payment following their event. SDT also features an extensive list of team building activities online at visitsoutherndelaware.com/teambuilding to assist planners.

Southern Delaware Tourism has introduced a Bike and Stay package on its Sidekick App, as well. Stay at a participating hotel and bike Southern Delaware's scenic trails while receiving exclusive offers from restaurants, breweries, distilleries and shops, plus get access to an interactive trail map.

In addition, now through March 31, select hotels are offering special discounts on extended stays.

COMMUNITY

Southern Delaware Tourism has worked diligently during the pandemic to encourage safe, responsible visitation while also assisting and promoting its tourism partners and local businesses.

Some initiatives have included: creating a dedicated web page for tourism partners containing federal, state and industry updates on emergency declaration amendments, safety guidance, loan and grant programs and more, along with an email distribution list to inform them of updates; and creating a web page for consumers containing updates on cancellations, postponements, and reopening information, which also was heavily promoted on social media.

For visitors and potential visitors, SDT is highlighting opportunities to “visit” or “revisit” Southern Delaware virtually by highlighting partners who have created virtual opportunities. This includes art classes, concerts, virtual tours, web cams, chef demos, virtual museum and art gallery exhibits and more, and this content has been regularly promoted via social media.

SDT has partnered with the Sussex County Economic Development Office, too, to create a county-specific “Buy Local” program to encourage county residents to support neighbor businesses and organizations during the pandemic. Working with local restaurant partners, Southern Delaware Tourism highlighted chef recipe videos on social media platforms to entice travelers to visit their eateries when they return, as well. And SDT has worked with accommodations partners to promote gift card sales for future visits and to create promotions for instate travelers and those interested in extended stays.

Scott Thomas, executive director for Southern Delaware Tourism, said, “SDT has been working hard to keep Sussex County a destination of choice in the minds of visitors throughout this crisis. We know that there is much pent-up travel demand, especially for drive-to, road trip destinations like Southern Delaware.”

DELAWARE

Wilmington - Elaine Leies has been named Business Development Manager for the HOTEL DU PONT.

MARYLAND

Annapolis - Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County recently announced the appointment of Kristen Pironisa as its next Executive Director, effective April 19, 2021. For the past 16 years, Kristen has worked with the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, serving most recently as its executive vice president of marketing and communications.

NEW JERSEY

Mount Laurel - Stephanie Ritter has been named Meeting Manager for the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI).

PENNSYLVANIA

Allentown - Mike Slivka has been promoted to General Manager of the Renaissance Allentown hotel.

King of Prussia - John Sechrist has been named Director of Catering for the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel.

Malvern - A new association management and planning company, Premier Association Management Group, has been formed by Kyle Fernley, President.

Media - Jesse Ridgeway has been named Events Director for both The Towne House and the Ridley House. Philadelphia - Di Bruno Bros. announced that Nick Thomas has been named Director of Operations, Catering & Events. Most recently, Nick with the Garces Group operations at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Academy of Music, Chubb Hotel & Conference Center, and ACE Club golf course.

Philadelphia - Lisa Cheresnowsky was promoted to Senior Manager Firm Events and Alumni Programming at Ballard Spahr LLP.

Philadelphia - Greg DeShields, Executive Director of PHL Diversity, will now be holding a dual role as he has been named Tourism Diversity Matters Executive Director. Tourism Diversity Matters seeks to move Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies forward throughout the tourism and events industry to achieve a collective impact.

Philadelphia - The historic Reading Terminal Market has hired Annie Allman as its new General Manager. Annie previously served as senior director of marketing for Comcast and has held marketing roles at the Harrah's Atlantic City and Harrah’s Philadelphia casinos.

White Haven - Charlotte Horowitz has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for Mountain Laurel Resort.

York - Honey Run Golf Club has announced the appointment of Mark Beran as its Head Professional and General Manager. East Coast - A select group of meeting and event industry professionals have come together under the new brand, Etherio Group. Eric J. Altschul of ABC Global Services, has joined forces with other well-known leaders, including: Steve Goodman of MeetingAdvice; Eli Sananes, Global Meetings & Incentives; Katie Harvill, Matchstick Creative; and Michael Shannon, a veteran of meeting sales management. Eric now serves as the President/CEO of the newly formed group. By uniting their businesses as Etherio Group, these industry players have created a leading meeting and event company focused on corporate clients, life sciences, associations, incentives and site selection.

Anne Madden also has joined Etherio Group as Account Executive. Anne most recently served as senior sales manager for Omni Orlando at Champions Gate, managing pharmaceutical, northeast corporate and association business. Previously, she worked at American Express in procurement and at Maritz Travel as operations manager, leading a sourcing team for a global pharmaceutical account.

Horowitz Madden

Around Th

COVID-19 Antigen Testing for Events

Planning to have a special event, but worried about the potential risk for exposure to COVID-19? A new on-site testing model has been developed to provide an extra layer of comfort and security for planners and event attendees.

15 Minute On-Site Response is a mobile rapid COVID19 antigen testing company specializing in setting up temporary testing sites for events. “Our strategy allows us to test all guests prior to an event, thus mitigating the risks involved and helps guests feel comfortable at their event knowing that you’ve provided the safest experience possible,” explained Clayre Cardi, the company’s co-founder.

Custom set-up for each event, they are Pennsylvania State healthcare licensed professionals offering CLIA certified laboratory results in under 15 minutes with 93 percent Specificity Accuracy and Results sent directly to each guest's phone.

To use this service, guests must be notified prior to attending the event that there will be rapid testing onsite. Attendees must pre-register and sign a waiver of acknowledgement.

15minuteonsiteresponse.com

Chef Jose Garces Debuts Two New Ghost Kitchens

Philadelphia, PA - Livy’s Plant Based Foods and Rustika will mark the latest in a series of exciting new initiatives from acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jose Garces in response to an evolving restaurant landscape.

Iron Chef, James Beard Award-winner, entrepreneur and food innovator, Chef Garces announced the introduction of Livy’s Plant Based Foods, a vegan concept featuring fresh, locally-sourced plant-based ingredients, along with Rustika, which is centered around Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, a concept drawing on Garces’ expertise as one of the nation’s foremost experts in Latin cuisine along with his culinary travels and South American roots.

Coming after the successful launch of Garces’ new personal brand that features virtual cooking series, consulting services and a wine partnership, these two new ghost kitchen concepts further solidify Garces’s longstanding career as a notable innovator within the culinary community.

From the Spanish tapas at Amada, his first restaurant, to the playful Japanese street food at Okatshe in Atlantic City, Chef Garces continually pushes the boundaries of culinary excellence. While he maintains his successful career owning and operating full-service restaurants, he also is looking toward the future with an increased focus on bringing restaurant-quality experiences to the homes and businesses of culinary enthusiasts in new and interesting ways.

www.chefgarces.com

he Region

The Family Reunion” - A Multi-Day Event

Middleburg, VA - Meredith Corporation’s FOOD & WINE and Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Hotels & Resorts have announced the debut of “The Family Reunion,” presented by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, a multi-day event to celebrate diversity in the hospitality community through cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings and dinners, and thought-provoking panel discussions with world-class chefs, sommeliers and industry leaders, including: Carla Hall; Edouardo Jordan; Nina Compton; Carlton McCoy; Gregory Gourdet; Mashama Bailey; Rodney Scott; Tavel Bristol-Joseph; Pierre Thiam and more.

“Our remarkable, constantly renewing and evolving industry is as diverse as any other,” noted Johnson. “But, we can - and should - do more. Therefore, I’m immensely proud to partner with FOOD & WINE and Kwame, and delighted that Salamander Resort & Spa can provide a platform for thoughtful discussion about inclusion.”

The Family Reunion will take place August 19-22, 2021 at the Five-Star-rated Salamander Resort & Spa. Event tickets go on sale in April.

www.SalamanderHotels.com/FamilyReunion

A Mobile Ambassador

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, MD (VAAAC) launched a new mobile visitor information center, the Arundel Ambassador. Wrapped with images promoting the entire destination, the 8.5-foot by 20-foot trailer features two 65-inch televisions and a sound system that will enable VAAAC to showcase its partners via videos and live streamed performances.

In addition to making appearances at events and festivals within the destination, the Arundel Ambassador will take the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County message to trade shows, conventions, sporting events, and high traffic consumer outlets across Maryland and beyond.

www.Visitannapolis.org

Around Th

Restaurant News at Camelback Resort

Tannersville, PA - Camelback Resort has announced the reopening of local favorite Berrelli’s as Berrelli’s Italian Chophouse, situated at the base of Camelback Mountain. Open for lunch and dinner year-round, it offers indoor dining in its A-frame rustic woodbeamed dining room with floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows or seating on its expansive heated patios with stunning mountain views.

The “new” Berrelli’s has revamped its menu and an impressive global wine list. Downstairs from the restaurant is a speakeasyvibe game room for playing pool, darts and shuffleboard. Camelback also recently refreshed Graffiti Pizza located in the Lodge –and partnered with former NFL running back Baron Batch, turned artist. Graffiti is fun and arty with Batch’s custom graffiti art, based on the street style of the 70s and 80s. The resort also added the new Sugar Shack and new food trucks and a drinks trailer strategically set-up near snow activity sights.

www.CamelBackResort.com

Dairy Market Serves Up Diverse Flavors in Iconic Landmark

Charlottesville, VA - Stony Point Development Group announced the debut of Dairy Market, the South’s newest market hall. Located in the historic Monticello Dairy building in downtown Charlottesville and just steps from the University of Virginia, Dairy Market is reviving a local community treasure and hometown favorite by bringing together a diverse variety of food and beverage, agriculture, Southern culture, history and arts, all under one roof.

Featuring a variety of different globally inspired cuisines with authentic flavors, Dairy Market’s merchants showcase the best of what Charlottesville’s expansive culinary scene has to offer. Several merchants are currently open and ready to welcome guests to Dairy Market, followed by staggered openings of the remaining merchants in Spring 2021. With 12 food stalls, one full-service restaurant, a brewery, four retail stalls and a bar, the market is almost at full capacity.

he Region

Dog Days & Yappy Hours

Norristown, PA - Elmwood Park Zoo is excited to announce its new "Dog Friendly" series of select dates and events that will allow guests to bring their pet dogs with them to the zoo. While permitting dogs in zoos is a more common practice in other countries, Elmwood Park Zoo would be the first zoo in the United States to create regularly scheduled access for nonservice animal dogs and their owners. Beginning in March, the zoo's "Dog Days" will welcome guests and their furry friends to visit the zoo together. The zoo also is planning a series of "Yappy Hours," evening events that will feature food and drink specials for guests and their dogs to enjoy at EPZ's Zoo Brew Beer Garden. "Dog Days" and "Yappy Hours" are presented by Metropolitan Veterinary Associates.

www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/dog-friendly

Another Major Milestone for Cordish Companies as Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia opened in February.

Philadelphia, PA - The opening of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia trans forms the Philadelphia Stadium District into an inte grated sports, entertainment and casino-resort destination and establishes the area as the only place in the country to experience big league action from four major professional sports teams, bestin-class dining and entertainment, world-class gaming and lux ury hotel accommodations.

“As a family-owned business for over 100 years, this is an incredibly special day for my family and The Cordish Companies as we expand our Live! Casino brand into the great City of Philadelphia,” said Reed Cordish, Prin cipal of The Cordish Companies.

The Cordish Companies’ Principal Reed Cordish, Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton, and Ex ecutive Vice President Joe Billhimer, were joined at a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Philadelphia City Coun cilmember Kenyatta Johnson along with Philadelphia fan favorites and former Philadelphia Eagles Ron Jaworski and Vince Papale; Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Hall-of-Famer, Julius “Dr. J” Erving; former Philadel phia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel; reigning Mum mers champions, the South Philadelphia String Band and numerous business, tourism and community lead ers from the region.

Photo Credit: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia

Around The Region

Meet AC Revamps Virtual Reality Experience

Atlantic City, NJ - In partnership with EAB's YouVisit, Meet AC’s newest additions to its Atlantic City Virtual Reality (VR) Experience, now split into two mini-tours, feature everything convention attendees need under Meetings and Conventions on its website, while the bleisure (business +leisure) traveler will find unique hotel experiences among beach, boardwalk and shopping information under the site’s Destination category.

“It is so important now more than ever to be able to represent our destination virtually, and the enhancements that we’ve done to our VR experience show Meet AC’s dedication to the destination and innovative technologies,” stated Karina Anthony, Meet AC’s marketing director.

The VR experience will continue to assist the Meet AC sales team to meet their yearly room night goals, while focusing on bookings at the Atlantic City Convention Center, newly opened properties and re-branded products.

“In our latest round of enhancements to Meet AC's virtual tour, we expanded our use of ‘digital presence’ to bring Atlantic City and its visitors closer together. By giving potential travelers even more opportunities to explore the best of what AC has to offer, we aim to drive more meaningful engagements, both digitally and physically. There's something for everybody in AC, and now visitors can truly get a feel for the city's dynamic atmosphere in their updated virtual experience,” added PJ Morreale, managing director of YouVisit Studios at EAB.

www.meetac.com/#virtualtour

Montco Hotels Host Hybrid Events

To meet the increasing pent-up demand for smaller hybrid meetings, many Montgomery County, PA hotels are prepared with upgraded technology, enhanced cleaning procedures, and redesigned event spaces.

“Hybrid events allow organizations to expand their reach, yet still provide the in-person experience for those that are looking for it,” said Scott Higgins, associate director of sales and business development for the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. “Many of our Montco hotels have already gained valuable experience in hosting successful hybrid events. Plus, Montgomery County, PA is also an ideal location to host the in-person portion of hybrid meetings with convenient drivable access for attendees, and plenty of space to spread out at our 300-plus venues.”

The trend, plus hotels’ flexibility in providing shorter booking time frames, has proven effective for several regional segments including area corporate, government associations, Life Sciences, and training programs.

Visitors can take an immersive 360-degree virtual tour of some Montco hotels with the VFTCB’s Montco 360 and use an interactive mapping feature to show what’s nearby. To ensure an even cleaner and safer overnight stay, information on cleanliness programs for all Montco hotels can be found on the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s Montco Wellness for Events page.