by The Editors on December 23, 2008
We’ve been a little rough on the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors’ Bureau over the past couple years, but it looks like we haven’t been too far off, according to a story in the North County Times.
No one really knows what a “convention and visitors’ bureau” does and the one in Carlsbad doesn’t even organize conventions even though that word is part of its name, Nayudu said. The new name in all likelihood will be the one the bureau already uses on its Web site —- visitCarlsbad.com —- she said.
Now that executive director Kurt Burkhart is gone the organization has the chance to reinvent itself, with the help of a six-month $350,000 contract with the Irvine, California based consulting company MindGruve.
$350,000 for six months? We are definitely in the wrong business. . .
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on August 23, 2007
Sometimes we have to ask ourselves if the crew at the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau is on the program. Their latest press release, designed ostensibly to bring tourist dollars into the city, hinges entirely on how great the fall bird watching is here.
Let your wild side take charge and come to Carlsbad on San Diego’s beautiful North Coast when birding is at its best. . . In the fall, Mother Nature fills the sky with voluminous white clouds and the migratory birds begin long flights to winter homes. A vital sanctuary along the migratory path and a winter destination is Carlsbad’s Batiquitos Lagoon, one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the southern California coast.
We’re David Allen Sibley fans too, but is hiking around the lagoon with binocs really that big a vacation drawn for Carlsbadistan? Follow the link for the entire release.
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by The Editors on December 1, 2008
A week after reports of a $350,000 re-branding campaign by the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District surfaced, the Director of Carlsbad’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kurt Burkhart has announced that he is leaving Carlsbadistan to take a job in his home state of Virginia, according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times.
I don’t think there’s anybody that could put their heart and soul in (to the job) like Kurt did,” bureau board Chairwoman Nancy Nayudu as she discussed the many tourism-related boards and commissions that Burkhart has served on in his eight years as the bureau’s leader.
We’d say we were going to miss Kurt, but we’ve never really noticed anything he or the Convention and Visitor Bureau has ever done.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on May 27, 2009
We’ll all be able to taste the flavors of The Village this Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 3-6 PM as 20 of Carlsbadistan restaurants serve of samples of their cuisine during The Carlsbad Village Associations Flavors of the Village Restaurant Tour.
“Come sample our broad array of international foods in the Village” invites Robin Young, Executive Director of the Carlsbad Village Association (CVA), “The Flavors of the Village in Carlsbad offers Irish, French, Mexican, Italian, Vegetarian and, of course, American cuisines – literally something for everyone”. . . Participating restaurants include: Beach City Smoothies, Caldo Pomodoro, Carlsbad Chocolate Bar, Dini’s Bistro, El Puerto, Fish House Vera Cruz, Gregorio’s, Hennessey’s, Knockout Burgers, Knockout Pizza, Las Olas, Le Passage, Naked Café, Ocean House, O’Sullivan’s, Pizza Port, Pollos Maria, Senor Grubby’s, Submarina and The Wine Spot.
Strangely, many of our favorite restaurants aren’t participating, but we’re going to use this as a chance to get off our well-worn path and try something new.
[Link: Friends of the Village]
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by The Editors on June 3, 2008
Carlsbadistan students who are planning on getting a post-secondary degree in hospitality and tourism management can apply with the Carlsbad Convention and Visitor Bureau for their chance to win one of three cash scholarships worth approximately $1,300.
These scholarships are a long time coming,” commented Kurt Burkhart, the bureau’s Executive Director. “Our desire has always been to do this in partnership, and we feel fortunate to have found a partner with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and, to the best of our knowledge, we’ll be the first tourism bureau in San Diego County to directly award cash scholarships to students.”
With the cost of college these days, it looks like these scholarships could go a long way toward the average college student’s beer tab, at least for a quarter. Entries are due July 15, 2008. Follow the jump for all the details.
[Link: Visit Carlsbad]
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by The Editors on May 10, 2008
We often wonder what the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau does. Not because we think they don’t do anything, but more out of plain, simple ignorance. For instance, where is the Carlsbad Convention Center? But we’re wandering from the point: The new Carlsbad Travel Planner has arrived.
The vibrant 40-page magazine-style Guide is filled with helpful information such as lodging accommodations, restaurants, shopping, local attractions (LEGOLAND, Leo Carrillo Park, The Village), outdoor fun, special events (Carlsbad 5K, ArtSplash, Village Faire, Carlsbad Marathon) and, of course, directions on “how to get to the beach!” Stunning photography and directional maps provide the perfect complement to this year’s Guide.
The CCVB printed 80,000 copies of the guide proving that at least in Carlsbad people still believe in the printed word regardless of the fact that most of the planners will probably sit in boxes all year. If anyone notices an increase in business based on their advertising in the planner, please let us know.
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by The Editors on August 31, 2007
Want to test out 15 different Carlsbad restaurants in one afternoon without being a total pig? Then roll up to the 11th Annual Taste of Carlsbad on September 22, 2007 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Armada Drive above the Flower Fields.
Participating restaurants include some of our favorites: Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, Knockout Pizzeria, Tuscany Ristorante, Pelly’s Fish Market and Café, Lola’s Mexican Market and Deli and the startlingly tasty Tri-City Medical Center Cafeteria (no, we’re not kidding.)
Tickets cost $20 and are on sale now at the Carlsbad Educational Foundation office 5651 Palmer Way, the Carlsbad Unified School District office at 6225 El Camino Real and the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 400 Carlsbad Village Dr. or to order tickets call: (760) 929-1555.
[Link: Taste of Carlsbad]
by The Editors on August 19, 2007
Carlsbad’s Village Improvement Program is looking for board members.
The board will consist of nine members representing various groups. Among the categories are property owners, residents and retail business owners, as well as a representative each from the Carlsbad Village Business Association, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau.
If you know someone who would do a good job guiding the Village of Carlsbad down it’s road to the future, please visit http://friendsofthevillage.blogspot.com for a nomination form. And no, we’re not interested. But thanks anyway.
[Link: Friends of the Village via North County Times]
by The Editors on March 21, 2013
Hey, Carlsbadistan! Did you know that you can Celebrate Carlsbad Day at Legoland Callifornia for only $20 on April 27, 2013? Did you know that by doing this you’ll also help the Carlsbad Education Foundation a little? Oh, but don’t think you’re going to “spend the day at Legoland.” Nope. As usual, Legoland says the Celebrate Carlsbad Day tickets are only good from 1 PM to 8 PM. That’s right, the turnstiles open at 9 AM, but Celebrate Carlsbad Day ticket holders won’t get in until 1 PM. And what’s more, only “a portion of the proceeds” from these special ticket sales actually goes to the Carlsbad Education Foundation.
So hey, use this as an opportunity to visit Legoland at a moderately affordable price, but don’t think Legoland is doing any huge favors because it really is the least they could do.
Tickets for Celebrate Carlsbad Partial Day can be purchased by calling the Carlsbad Education Foundation at (760) 929-1555, downloading this ticket form, or by visiting one of the locations listed after the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 22, 2009
We’ve been meaning to get out to Legoland, we really have, but the $63 entrance price has been what we like to call “cost prohibitive.” While we’re sure we wouldn’t hesitate to spend the money while on vacation, we never seem to be able to empty our wallets so close to home.
That all changes on May 2, 2009 from 1 – 9 PM as Legoland and the Carlsbad Education Foundation present “Celebrate Carlsbad Day” at the theme park with $15 tickets.
Specially-priced $15 “Celebrate Carlsbad Day” tickets include admission to LEGOLAND with park hours extended until 9:00 p.m. Admission also includes a special fireworks display at 8:00 p.m. . . LEGOLAND will donate the proceeds from the event to the Carlsbad Educational Foundation in support of new district-wide music and hands-on science programs as well as educational innovation. The Foundation has set a goal to raise $100,000 in ticket sales and has established expanded opportunities for corporate sponsors to partner for this special event.
So it’s kind of like donating money to Kids Are Worth A Million and getting 8 hours at Legoland thrown in for free. Now we have no excuse. And neither do you.
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