Looking Ahead

2020 and 2021 will undoubtedly be years we will never forget. After what was essentially a twoyear pause in traditional destination management and marketing, we are beginning to ramp back up. Without a doubt, we will forever be changed - changed for the better. As we’ve learned from the past two years, we must remain smart, nimble and adaptable to the rapidly evolving world around us.

Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County are primed for an incredible 2022. Events are finally coming back after a two year hiatus, providing even more reasons for visitors to come to our community. Starting with the first ever, in-person Coast Guard Marathon, Visit Elizabeth City will continue to work to tell the nation about our incredible destination and encourage visitation. We have a strong team in place and will leverage opportunities to learn and grow as professionals and together. With huge strides made in destination development, we can continue to build and improve with new opportunities for growth in tourism. Looking ahead to 2022, we currently recommend moving forward on the following important projects, subject to evolve as needed!

• Prioritize our important diversity, equity and inclusion work with Melissa Majors Consulting and weave inclusion into everything we do. • Invest the time required to implement a full evaluation of the Tourism 2019 Strategic Plan; acknowledging accomplishments and making revisions to adapt and adopt a new, 2022

Strategic Plan. • Continue to build on and expand successful campaigns including Christmas in Elizabeth City,

Weddings in Elizabeth City and “What’s New” content. • Leverage all available research in addition to the experience offered by the teams of our agency partners, capitalizing marketing campaigns for maximum return on investment. • Working in collaboration with the City, County and other community partners, consider additional destination development projects so we can continue to offer new and diverse experiences to visitors and locals.