Visit Modesto

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Adapting and Reinventing Modesto’s Hospitality and Tourism

 

Todd Aaronson, CEO

Modesto Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

Every cloud has a silver lining…but the last year for the hospitality industry was a hurricane of epic proportions. Thousands of hotels closed across the nation, restaurant closings are predicted to be almost 50% in the U.S. and the special event/theater side of tourism has been shuttered for a year. We are fortunate in Modesto that our local industries are essential (agriculture and manufacturing), helping to propel our community, and county, to weather this storm better than most cities in the nation.

While U.S. hotel occupancy finished 2020 at only 44%, Modesto hotels were able to achieve occupancy above 63% and Stanislaus County hotel results were just over 62% .[1] This displays the incredible resilience of our region when times are the toughest. Our restaurant partners scrambled to provide to-go orders in new packaging, created safe environments, expanded patios, bought heaters for outdoor dining and much more. The community repaid them with strong support and the majority of our favorite dining spots are still there for us to enjoy! Our hotel partners persevered the most unique period and clientele seen in many years while providing a healthy environment for guests and staff alike.

 

The new traveler is driving more, seeking destinations with unique amenities that are close to national parks and are less crowded than favorite city destinations prior to the pandemic. That puts Modesto, the heart of California, right at the center of the travel boom (now called revenge travel). To keep business travelers, drive tourists and other visitors thinking of us Visit Modesto is providing myriads of reasons for them to visit Modesto between ‘here and there’. Programs like the Almond Blossom Cruise brought in thousands of visitors for four weeks running. Our promotions are now featuring all the places you can take your dog to stay and eat, authentic Mexican restaurants and Taco Truck lists (just wait till we launch Taco Quest!) and we recently announced Graffiti Summer for August of this year. While drawing eyes to our social and digital media we share information about DoMo Walls and Modesto’s public murals, the outdoor amenities from disc golf to trail riding to birdwatching and even expanded information about all the farm stands and what is fresh every month to take back home.

Bottom line: Modesto has not only persevered through the toughest of tough times, but we are also building many new ways to attract and welcome visitors in the future. That means every one of us has a mission to do our part when we see a stranger (who may be from anywhere between Seattle and Sanibel Island); Smile, welcome them and make sure you share at least one reason you Love Modesto!

Go to https://visitmodesto.com/ for more information.

 

[1] STR data for 2020 https://str.com/

City Ministry Network

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Article by: Marc Garcia – City Ministry Network, Director of Communications

Since 2002, City Ministry Network (CMN) has been a catalyst in connecting, inspiring, and mobilizing our community toward good work for the transformation
of Modesto’s neighborhoods. CMN formally became a tax-exempt non-profit organization in April 2005. Its first board meeting was held in June 2005, and almost
immediately, there were opportunities to expand the organization’s positive influence.

Our Mission: Motivated by God’s love, CMN exists to listen to and advocate for our most vulnerable communities, connecting community and sector leaders to work collaboratively for maximum effect, so that all families can thrive.

Our Vision: To see our city become a good, safe place for all in which to grow up and to grow old.
Our Strategy: Advocate. Connect. Convene. Develop. Steward.

Featured Spotlight: Latino Leadership Initiative (LLI)

Latinos are a significant represented community in the Central Valley. As such, the LLI seeks to increase the core competencies of emerging Latino civic servants in the areas of growth, change, collaboration, and deep community engagement. The LLI takes a small cohort through a community capacity program that brings in training from experienced practitioners in subjects like business, non-profit management, financial literacy, board commission and advocacy, and more, and then directly applying these concepts within our community. Upon completion, participants will be well equipped with the necessary resources, insights, and skills for properly engaging with those serving our community.

“For our LLI workshop on ‘Effective Board Membership,’ some of my takeaways included: finding and using your inner power, trusting your intuition, speaking your truth, be of cause – you are the cause, and no one belongs in the room more than you  do”, said Monica Hernandez, current LLI member. “Being a part of the LLI cohort this past weekend has shown me how some ‘weaknesses’ are actually strengths when you understand them. I am excited for whatever else is to come,” observed another current LLI member, Nico Solorio. To learn more about the many other ways CMN is actively improving and aiding those who live and work in our area, visit: www.cityministrynetwork.org