April Beauchamp, account manager, North Carolina Division of Tourism in Canada; Ruth Williamson, Discover America Canada; Charmaine Singh, North Carolina Division of Tourism in Canada; Wit Tuttell, director of tourism marketing, North Carolina Division of Tourism; Heidi Walters, North Carolina Division of Tourism; Frank Carrico, US Commercial Services; and Doug Jacobson, Discover America Canada

Last night, at Toronto’s Fifth Grill & Terrace, North Carolina set up a speed-dating like event geared towards getting the travel industry familiar with attractions around the state.

Travel agents were invited to speak with representatives from The Outer Banks, The Heart of North Carolina, Visit Charlotte, The Nascar Hall of Fame, Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Heidi Walters, director of international marketing, North Carolina Division of Tourism

Heidi Walters, director of international marketing, North Carolina Division of Tourism, told TRAVELHotNews.com that the purpose of the event was for trade partners to promote their newest products and offers.

“[It is] a familiarization tour outside of North Carolina for our partners and trade [members] here in Toronto,” Walters said. “What we really want is for families to come back and visit, snow birds to extend their stay, [and people that are] driving through, to get off the highway and see some of the [things] North Carolina has to offer.”

Wit Tuttell, director of tourism marketing, North Carolina Division of Tourism, also announced the latest campaign: Project 543.

“[We want] to showcase that [travellers] can have a distinct experience in North Carolina for every mile that [they] go and see. We’re [writing] a blog every day and [by the end] we’re going to [have] release[d] 543 things that [travellers] can only do in North Carolina.”

For more information, visit project543.com.