Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 20, 1995                   TAG: 9507200045
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE PLANS TO TALK UP ROANOKE

The Roanoke Valley will play a more visible role in state tourism promotions, as a reward for having made an effort to reach out to visitors.

The Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau earlier this year became accredited by the state tourism division for bringing its marketing efforts to a high level of proficiency. Gov. Allen made the designation official Wednesday by presenting local leaders with certificates of achievement.

It is the eighth region of the state so honored.

What it means is that the Roanoke Valley will be featured with a picture and short article in the 1996 edition of the state travel guide, "Virginia Is for Lovers." The state distributed 650,000 copies of this year's edition.

Tourist information at state welcome centers on major roads will describe the valley as a place that treats tourists right, and state officials will talk up the area with travel writers and photographers. Bureau officials will receive a free consultation with an advertising agency that works for the state.

Those receiving certificates were Tim Gubala, Roanoke County economic development director; Phil Sparks, acting economic development director for the city of Roanoke; Mary Beth Layman, special programs coordinator for Vinton; Judy Griesenbrock, executive director of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce; and Catherine Fox, tourism development manager for the visitor bureau.

In Virginia, tourism is a $9.3 billion industry, employing 162,500 people, which last year generated $652 million in state and local taxes, state officials said.