VTV Luncheon of Champions: A Gold Medal Success!

From left to right: Treasurer Chris Hill, Chair Jim McDonnell, Vice Chair Debbie Loge, Roel Almares, Secretary Jennifer Koidal, Chris Carter, Kendra Gaffey, Rhonda Wood, Elmer Reyes and Adam Van de Water with Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert conducting the VTV Board swearing-in. Not pictured: Margie Johnston.

Partnership of the Year Award Winners from left to right: Board Chair Jim McDonnell, Awardees: Lisa Adamos - City of Pleasanton, Jill Bergman - Town of Danville, Pamela Ott - City of Pleasanton, Adam Van de Water - City of Livermore, Hazel Wetherford - City of Dublin and VTV CEO Tracy Farhad. Not pictured: Steven Spedowfski - City of San Ramon.

Spirit of Hospitality Award from left to right: Tracy Farhad, Angel Moore and Jerome Hoban of the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Jim McDonnell.

Visit Tri-Valley was honored to welcome more than 130 Tri-Valley region hospitality partners at the in-person “Luncheon of Champions” on Wednesday, September 15. Program highlights included the swearing-in of new VTV Board of Directors, the much-anticipated “Mayors’ Video,” presentations on Cultural Heritage Tourism and Geolocation Data, as well as the coveted Partnership and Spirit of Hospitality Awards. Guests also received a copy of the VTV 2020-2021 Playbook featuring VTV’s marketing highlights and Dean Runyan Travel Impacts. The gathering of friends and colleagues brought a much-needed renewed excitement to the hard-hit hospitality industry in the Tri-Valley.

We Need Your Arts and Cultural Content

October is National Arts & Humanities Month! Help us raise awareness about the important role that arts and humanities play in our local communities. Get involved by submitting your upcoming or annual events that highlight the diversity, creativity and ingenuity of our region. Submit your events and local happenings to Amber ([email protected]) by Friday, September 24th.

Scottish Games

Tracy Farhad (far left) and Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown (far right) with the Queen of Scots.

Tracy Farhad, along with Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown, met with living-history members of HRH Mary Queen of Scots' royal court during the 155th Annual Scottish Gathering & Games held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds over Labor Day weekend. Mayor Brown and Ms. Farhad welcomed 5,000 guests and participants at the opening ceremonies of the three-day, sold-out event hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco.

Vaccine Mandate Updates

In the past few weeks, we've had some big updates with vaccine mandates. Starting October 1, the Bankhead Theater will be requiring a proof of vaccine, in addition to the mask mandate, to all ticket holders for their shows. You can read the announcement here.

Contra Costa County joined San Francisco, Berkeley and other communities across the United States with a countywide health order that increases COVID-19 safety in restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses where there is elevated risk of the virus spreading. The new order, effective September 22, requires patrons of these businesses to show proof they are fully vaccinated to enter indoor areas, or a negative COVID-19 test result from the past three days. Click here to read the full press release.

Also, President Biden announced that all employers with 100+ employees impose a vaccine mandate or be tested weekly.