Press Room: Recent News
11/21/08 Experience a High Country Holiday in Flagstaff
11/3/08 Convention and Visitors Bureau Welcomes New Sales Manager
10/16/08 New Marketing Manager joins the CVB
09/08/08 Fall/Winter Calendar of Events
08/15/08 Changes and updates at the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau
Experience a High Country Holiday in Flagstaff
Flagstaff, AZ (Novemberr 21, 2008)— Head north this winter and enjoy a High Country Holiday in Flagstaff. Little America Hotel will officially kick-off the season with the Holiday Lights Festival, November 29. There are also a variety of events taking place throughout December where visitors and residents will have the chance to experience a hometown holiday in true Flagstaff style.
Join Santa at Flagstaff City Hall on Dec. 6 for the annual Winter Wonderland Celebration featuring live entertainment, light refreshments and the much anticipated tree lighting in Wheeler Park. The spirit of the season continues on Dec. 13 when the 10th Annual Northern Lights Holiday Parade rolls through historic downtown. On Dec. 14 take a driving tour through local neighborhoods during the 28th Annual Luminaria Celebration at Coconino Estates. Spend the weekend before Christmas, strolling through the festive downtown streets, browsing unique shops or enjoying a delicious meal at one of the many area restaurants.
Then, on Dec. 31, welcome the New Year in true Flagstaff style at the New Year’s Eve Block Party and Great Pine Cone Drop atop the historic Weatherford Hotel. This popular, long-time tradition is the northland’s version of the Big Apple in Times Square.There is a drop at 10 p.m. for families and another at midnight for adults.
Overall, there is nothing like the holidays in Flagstaff. For more information and a complete calendar of seasonal events, visit or call the Flagstaff Visitor Center at (928) 774-9541. Located in the historic train depot at One E. Route 66, the Flagstaff Visitor Center is open Mon – Sat 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., closed Christmas and New Years Day.
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“Flagstaff, it’s the perfect season!”
The mission of the Flagstaff CVB is to develop, promote and maintain Flagstaff as a year-round visitor destination with professional services that will benefit the community economically, environmentally and socially.
Convention and Visitors Bureau Welcomes New Sales Manager
Flagstaff, AZ (November 3, 2008)— Dave Williamson has joined the Convention & Visitors Bureau as the new Sales Manager. He will be responsible for overseeing CVBs Sales department which includes tour and travel trade, group sales and meeting and event planning.
Before joining the CVB, Williamson worked for 21 years with a wholesale beverage sales and distribution company. He was district sales manager in northern Arizona for 12 years and managed 9 sales representatives. More recently, he has spent the last 8 years with Flagstaff's own Mogollon Brewing Co. & High Spirits Distillery as the managing partner. In this role he was responsible for new product and packaging development.
To reach Dave please call 928-913-3205 or email dwilliamson@ci.flagstaff.az.us. For more information about how the CVB is promoting Flagstaff, visit flagstaffarizona.org, call 928-774-9541 or stop by the Flagstaff Visitor Center located in the historic train station at One E. Route 66.
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New Marketing Manager joins the CVB
Flagstaff, AZ (October 16, 2008) — Jacki Mieler has joined the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau as the new Marketing Manager. Before joining the CVB Mieler was the Business Attraction Manager for the city of Flagstaff.
As Marketing Manager she is responsible for the overseeing of the CVB's advertising and marketing campaigns, as well as the in-house Publications department. "I am thrilled to be back in the tourism industry and to be promoting a destination as amazing as Flagstaff," said Mieler. "I look forward to working with my colleagues and our stakeholders to position Flagstaff as a year-round tourism destination."
Mieler graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Journalism and Business. Before moving to Flagstaff last December, she spent six years with the Arizona Office of Tourism as Director of Media Relations.
"Jacki brings a wealth of tourism knowledge to the position, as well as some new ideas," stated Heather Ainardi, CVB Acting Director.
To contact Jacki please call 928-779-7628 or e-mail jmieler@ci.flagstaff.az.us. For more information about how the CVB is promoting Flagstaff, visit flagstaffarizona.org, call 928-774-9541 or stop by the Flagstaff Visitor Center located in the historic train station at One E. Route 66.
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Fall/Winter Calendar Now Available
Flagstaff, AZ (September 8, 2008) —The new Fall/Winter Calendar of Events is now available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center and CVB. This year's calendar is printed in full color and features 6 months of unique events in the Flagstaff area that take place October through March.
There is nothing quite like autumn in Flagstaff. The leaves are changing colors, the days are cooling off and the city is alive with a mix of concerts, art shows, exhibits and festivals.
Enjoy seasonal activities in Arizona’s high country with the Festival of Science (September 26 – October 5), the Arboretum’s Fall Open House (October 4) and the Museum of Northern Arizona’s 5th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente (October 25-26). Be sure to make time to shop in historic downtown, explore the starry skies at Lowell Observatory, take in the historic charm of the 19th Century Riordan Mansion or discover Native American cultures at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
The summer travel season is drawing to a close, but tourism is showing no signs of slowing down. With that in mind, the time is right to head north. Fall into Flagstaff’s captivating autumnal foliage as aspen leaves dust the forest floor in a blanket of color with shades of golden yellow, orange and auburn.
Flagstaff’s perfect seasons offers a variety of events like no other. Experience cool temperatures, amazing scenery, exciting festivals, events and outdoor activities throughout the Fall and Winter. There is something for everyone and the Flagstaff Calendar of Events is the perfect guide.
For more information or for a complete event listing check out flagstaffarizona.org or call the Flagstaff Visitor Center at 928-774-9541 or toll free at 888-697-7778.
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Changes and updates at the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau
Flagstaff, AZ (August 15, 2008) — As part of a plan to improve customer service and become more economically and socially sustainable, the Flagstaff City Council approved a new city organizational structure, creating an Economic Vitality Division which includes the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and Community Investment.
Stacey Button has been promoted from CVB Director to the newly established Economic Vitality Director. Flagstaff City Manager, Kevin Burke understands the importance of tourism to the city's financial viability, and therefore selected a candidate who can help sustain Flagstaff's economic growth. Stacey's new position will include not only coordination of the tourism sector through the CVB, but also Flagstaff Pulliam Airport operations, as well as business attraction, retention and Brownfields redevelopment.
During the transition into the new city structure, Heather Ainardi has been appointed as the Acting CVB Director in order to continue smooth operation and growth of Flagstaff tourism. Heather is currently the Public Relations Manager and Film Commissioner for Flagstaff and will continue these roles during the transition.
In addition to these structure changes, both Jerry Thull and Patti Tencza will be moving on to new positions at Northern Arizona University. Jerry has been with the Flagstaff CVB for over four years in Sales and Marketing. He will begin teaching Public Relations at NAU this fall. Patti, who joined the CVB as Sales Manager last winter, is returning to her roots in higher education and will be working with the NAU Distance Learning program. We look forward to working with each of them in this new capacity.
For more information regarding these changes, please contact Heather Ainardi at 928-779-7645 or hainardi@ci.flagstaff.az.us.
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