Loudoun County Selected to Host 2015 Wine Tourism Conference

LEESBURG - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Loudoun County will host the 2015 Wine Tourism Conference.  Secured in coordination with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Visit Loudoun and with assistance from the Virginia Wine Marketing Office, the conference will make its East Coast debut in 2015.  Wine tourism leaders from across the country and world will travel to Virginia November 18-20, 2015for the fifth annual Wine Tourism Conference at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg.  Jackie Saunders, Vice President of Marketing with Visit Loudoun, was present for the announcement at the 2014 Wine Tourism Conference held earlier this month in Paso Robles, California.

“We are thrilled that the 2015 Wine Tourism Conference will be hosted by Virginia and held in Loudoun County, one of the most iconic wine destinations in Virginia,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “I congratulate Loudoun County and the Virginia team for securing this nationally recognized conference.  As the nation’s fifth largest wine producer, Virginia is quickly becoming the premier international destination for wine and culinary travelers.  The conference will offer an exciting opportunity to showcase our award-winning wines and world-class wine industry.”

The Wine Tourism conference is organized by Zephyr Adventures and is expected to attract more than 200 wine tourism professionals from across the world.  Open to winery owners, journalists, wine associations, wine destination marketing organizations and tour operators, the conference serves as a networking forum and provides extensive educational opportunities for this growing industry.  Previous conferences have been held on the West Coast in the premier wine destinations of Napa and Sonoma in California and Portland, Oregon. 

“Securing the Wine Tourism Conference is another win for Virginia’s efforts to become the premier East Coast destination for wine and wine tourism,” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.  “With our wines garnering international acclaim, sales at a new all-time high – surpassing 521,000 cases in the last fiscal year – and more people visiting our wineries than ever before, Virginia is already recognized as a rising star in the global wine trade.  The 2015 Wine Tourism Conference will further that well-deserved attention and reinforce all that we have to offer as a wine destination.”

“Virginia is a top destination for wine lovers across the country, with more than 1.6 million tourists visiting our wineries last year bringing instant revenue to the Commonwealth,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “By hosting the 2015 Wine Tourism Conference, Virginia becomes the first East Coast destination for this annual event, once again showing the country and the world that we are a top location for wine tourism.”

“We are excited to be bringing the Wine Tourism Conference to Loudoun County and to Virginia,” said Allan Wright with Zephyr Adventures.  “We know both the county and the state have done a great job at promoting wine and tourism and think our attendees from other areas will be very impressed with the local hospitality.”

“Loudoun is thrilled to be hosting the 2015 conference and that organizers recognize Loudoun and Virginia’s important and growing role in the wine tourism industry,” said Visit Loudoun President & CEO Beth Erickson.

Recognized as one of the top wine destinations in the world by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the Virginia wine industry continues to thrive in both Loudoun County and across the Commonwealth.  Currently, there are 3,100 acres of vineyards and 250 wineries in Virginia, more than 40 of which are in Loudoun.

Virginia currently ranks fifth in the number of wineries in the nation with more than 250.  Virginia is also the nation’s fifth largest wine grape producer.  According to a 2012 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry employs more than 4,700 people and contributes almost $750 million to the Virginia economy on an annual basis.  In addition, more than 1.6 million tourists visited Virginia wineries in 2013 according the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Virginia has been listed as one of the best wine travel destinations in numerous media outlets including Wine Enthusiast, USA Today, Food & Wine Magazine and the Washington Post, noting the state's picturesque landscapes and friendly winemakers set Virginia apart as an excellent wine destination.  Visit www.virginia.org/wine to learn more about wine travel in Virginia or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free Virginia is for Lovers travel guide to start planning a trip to Virginia.  LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.  For more information, please visitwww.virginia.org.

About Visit Loudoun                                                          

Visit Loudoun is the destination management organization for Loudoun County, Va., known as DC’s Wine Country®, located 25 miles from Washington, DC.  This not-for-profit organization develops and implements programs that promote tourism and travel to Loudoun and its towns, to increase visitation and generate visitor spending.  The organization showcases Virginia’s culinary and heritage assets, including award-winning wineries, horse country, scenic byways, and towns and villages steeped in history.  Visitwww.VisitLoudoun.org for more information

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Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Establishing The New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and Steering Committee, (The Old One Broke?)

English: Main Terminal of at dusk in Virginia, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today during his monthly appearance on WTOP’s “Ask the Governor,” Governor Terry McAuliffe signed Executive Order 26 establishing The New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and Steering Committee. The executive order establishes the priorities that will form the foundation of the Governor’s economic development plan for the remainder of his term in office.

“This executive order reflects the approach that my administration and I will take to building a new Virginia economy during my term,” said Governor McAuliffe. “If we are going to compete in the global marketplace, now is the time to work together to balance our budget responsibly, protect and expand our world class infrastructure and education systems, and increase our efforts to bring innovative companies here to create jobs and help diversify our economy.”

NUMBER TWENTY SIX (2014)

ESTABLISHING THE NEW VIRGINIA ECONOMY

STRATEGIC PLAN AND STEERING COMMITTEE

Importance of the Taskforce

The Commonwealth of Virginia features vast natural and human resources that serve as the foundation of our economic strength. Our unparalleled educational system, highly educated workforce, competitive business climate, central mid-Atlantic location, and premium infrastructure have afforded Virginia years of recognition as a preeminent state for business and job growth.

            Virginia is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in various high-growth industries with high-wage employment, including healthcare, bio sciences, cyber security, and energy. According to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Commonwealth ranks among the nation’s best knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, IT-driven, and innovation-based economies. Moreover, Virginia has one of the largest higher educational systems and among the most educated populations in the nation. 

            Virginia is an international gateway to move people and products quickly and efficiently, with fourteen commercial airports, including Dulles International. We offer the third largest state-maintained transportation network with six major interstates, an extensive railroad system, and a technologically-advanced port, capable of handling Post Panamax vessels. With agriculture as our largest industry, the Commonwealth will use these assets as we seek to increase agriculture and forestry shipments worldwide and to become the East Coast capital for agricultural exports.

            While Virginia enjoys inherent advantages and assets, we are facing unique economic headwinds. Recent federal budget cuts, reductions in defense spending, and the impact of sequestration have presented pressing challenges for Virginia’s economy. In this season of federal contraction, we must balance public and private sector enterprise for fiscal resilience. This vital imperative can be achieved by enhancing our fundamentals and addressing our challenges as an opportunity. By recalibrating our fiscal pathway and focusing our efforts on diversified, sustainable, and prospering industry sectors, the Commonwealth will excel in the global marketplace strengthened by a New Virginia Economy.

Establishment of the Steering Committee

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia, and Section 2.2-205 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby establish the Governor’s New Virginia Economy Steering Committee (Steering Committee). The purpose of this Steering Committee is to create a four-year strategic plan for economic development, in collaboration with the business community, local and state officials, and economic development professionals.

The Commonwealth must attract new jobs and investment, and cultivate the next generation of job creators and entrepreneurs. My administration’s four-year strategic plan will focus on: 1) enhancing our infrastructure, 2) diversifying and growing our strategic industry sectors, 3) solidifying and promoting our competitive business climate, 4) nurturing a sustainable entrepreneurial environment, and 5) equipping Virginia’s workforce with in-demand skill sets to meet current and future business needs. The plan will also recommend specific executive and legislative actions to achieve these goals.

Composition of the Steering Committee

The Secretary of Commerce and Trade will chair the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will be composed of the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance, and Veterans and Defense Affairs, as well as the Secretaries of Administration, Education, Health and Human Resources, Natural Resources, Technology, and Transportation, as specified in Section 2.2-205 B of the Code of Virginia. The Steering Committee will engage representatives of relevant state agencies, local and regional economic development organizations and chambers of commerce, leaders in sectors significant to Virginia’s economy, and other organizations or individuals as designated by the Governor.

Strategic Plan Priorities:

The four-year strategic plan will address five economic development priorities:

1.      “Project Ready” Infrastructure – Virginia must ensure that our infrastructure assets and resources, such as healthcare, energy, housing, and broadband are ready to attract small, medium, and large scale projects throughout the Commonwealth and advance our competitive position locally, regionally, and globally.

2.      Diversified High-Growth Industries – Virginia must devote vital resources to strengthen thriving industries, while diversifying targeted high-growth industry sectors and expanding trading partnerships.

3.      Preeminent Business Climate – Virginia must ensure that tax, regulatory, and incentive policies sustain Virginia’s position as the best state to start, grow, and locate a business.

4.      Innovation and Entrepreneurs – Virginia must pursue policies and public-private partnerships that attract talent, promote business and social entrepreneurship, business development and investment, and encourage the creation and commercialization of new products and services.

5.      “Skills to Jobs” Workforce – Virginia must align higher education system priorities and resources to supply in-demand workers, transition veterans, and meet current and future employer needs, in the private and public sectors.

Staffing

Staff support for the Steering Committee will be provided by the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the various secretariats and their agencies represented on the Steering Committee, and other agencies as may be designated by the Governor. All executive branch agencies will cooperate fully with the Steering Committee and will render such assistance as may be requested by the Chair. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade will ensure coordination between the development of the New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and the Workforce Initiative.

The Steering Committee will provide a report to the Governor by no later than December 1, 2014, setting forth the Commonwealth’s proposed economic development strategic plan. The Steering Committee shall report annually to the Governor by no later than December 1 on progress toward achieving the goals established in the strategic plan.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 27^th day of August 2014.

Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor

Attest:             _______________________________________

                        Levar M. Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth

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Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Comprehensive Virginia International Terminals Audit

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today issued the following statement upon completion of a comprehensive audit of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA)’s operator, Virginia International Terminals (VIT).  The audit was initiated following the decision earlier this year to terminate the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) process for port operations.

“In April, when the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the PPTA process for port operations and instead initiate a corporate restructuring of the VPA’s relationship with its operator, VIT, I called for a comprehensive audit of VIT prior to the VPA’s assumption of all liability over port operations.  The results of this audit confirmed many of the challenges identified in prior reviews and studies of the port, including the recently completed Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) review.  The audit identified concerns over a lack of proper internal audit controls and complete financial reporting mechanisms, inadequate procurement policies and procedures, executive compensation, a lack of communication and transparency between the VIT and VPA Board under the former organizational model, and increased costs and inefficiency.

“The Port of Virginia is ripe with opportunity.  As the only East Coast port currently capable of handling post-Panamax class cargo vessels, Virginia is at a tremendous advantage in seizing a sizeable portion of what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates to be over 30 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of growth on the East Coast by 2030.  To seize upon this opportunity and grow cargo volumes and create jobs, it is imperative that the Port of Virginia be as cost-effective and efficient as possible.

“The reforms implemented by our Administration and the Board of Commissioners are making great progress towards this aim.  In calendar year 2012, the port had its second highest year on record, with just over 2.1 million TEUs passing through its terminals.  Further, the port’s revenues are improving, and nearly every month this year setting new cargo volume records.

“Many of the challenges identified through this audit are already being addressed through the corporate restructuring.  However, as the audit shows, much work remains to be done.  I am supremely confident that the Board of Commissioners and recently selected Executive Director Reinhart are up to the task.  I look forward to working with them throughout the remainder of my term in office to make the Port of Virginia the number one port on the East Coast.”

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