Seaport Village Shops Showcased at Local Tourism Industry Gathering

Friday, 12 June 2009

Over 150 front-line employees and volunteers working in the local tourism industry gathered at Seaport Village on June 11 for an evening that allowed the shops and restaurants an opportunity to showcase their specialties to the people who can best send more visitors to the waterfront retail center.

"The ultimate goal is to boost our visibility and our sales," said Megan Capizzi, Marketing Manager for Seaport Village.

Called "A Night Out At Seaport Village," the event familiarized people working at the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Convention & Visitors Bureau's International Visitors Center along the North Embarcadero, and Travelers Aid at San Diego International Airport with all that visitors can do and buy there.

"This event also thanks the many tourism employees and volunteers who assisted the cruise lines in April when a dozen ships were diverted to San Diego during the flu outbreak in Mexico," said Rita Vandergaw, director of marketing for the Port of San Diego. "We thank members of the tourism industry for your efforts
to make the unexpected visitors feel welcome and for graciously assisting the thousands of passengers who arrived here."

The event was supported by the Port's Marketing Department, and is part of the Port's Big Bay marketing campaign to increase business for the shops and restaurants along the San Diego Bay waterfront.

The Port of San Diego and the Port Tenants Association recently launched a $200,000 marketing campaign called "This is a Good Day" that promotes special offers from waterfront restaurants, hotels and attractions. The campaign encourages both local residents and tourists to take advantage of these offers. For more information, please visit The Big Bay website.

During "A Night Out At Seaport Village," Buster's Beach House restaurant, Greek Islands Café, Marion's Fish Market, Village Café and Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop provided a taste of their specialties. The restaurants set up serving stations around the East Plaza area of Seaport Village. A fashion show in the plaza gazebo featured resort and casual wear from Island Hoppers and The Haberdashery, hats from the Village Hat Shop, and jewelry from Silver Crossing.

Seaport Village offers over 50 diverse shops, 17 eateries and free outdoor concerts and other entertainment.

"When I meet travelers that have a few hours to spare, I'll send them here to Seaport Village," said Robert DeGuevara, a Travelers Aid volunteer at San Diego International Airport. "It's a nice slice of Southern California."

 

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