Registration for DMOs and invited journalists is now open! DMOs: Register here Invited journalists: You will receive a registration link via email. MATPRA Marketplace August 27 – 29, 2024 Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge The MATPRA Media Marketplace is a great opportunity for both PR professionals and travel journalists to get together and discuss story ideas, arrange visits to our destinations and talk about what’s new in our backyards. Marketplace Experience Options When you register, you will have the opportunity to rank your choices for your Marketplace Experiences. You will be assigned to two of the three Experiences, so please rank your first and second choices. Journalists’ selections will be fulfilled first. Taste and Sip Easy Outdoor Adventure History and Arts/Culture Pre- and Post-Marketplace FAM Tour Options Supplement your MATPRA Marketplace experience with an optional Pre- or Post-FAM Tour. These excursions are offered by MATPRA Member Destinations to journalists on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that space on these tours is extremely limited. Click here to read about the Pre- and Post-Marketplace FAM Tours Host Hotel Information The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center 110 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 DMOs: You must make their own hotel reservations. Use this link for reserve in the MATPRA room block. https://book.passkey.com/e/50766855 Journalists: MATPRA will handle your room reservations. About Marketplace Destination: Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing a metro mountain mix of exciting outdoor adventure with refined culture. Visit VBR is the official destination marketing organization for Virginia’s Blue Ridge which includes the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke. The region is easily accessible via the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Interstate-81, and Amtrak’s northeast regional route. For more information, go to www.VisitVBR.com. Sponsorship Opportunties: The Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) team is thrilled to welcome our DMO and media partners to the greater Roanoke region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. We have an exciting itinerary planned for our time together in August. The following sponsorship opportunities provide a variety of ways to promote your destination at the 2024 MATPRA Media Marketplace. If you don’t see an opportunity that fits your budget, we welcome your thoughts about how we can create an optimal opportunity for you. We hope that you will partner with Visit VBR by capitalizing on these packages and sharing your brand with the MATPRA audience. Download the 2024 MATPRA Media Marketplace Sponsorship Package (updated January 31, 2024 with available sponsorships) DMO Attendees at MATPRA Marketplace 2022 in State College, PA Apply to Host the 2025 or 2026 Media Marketplace The MATPRA Board of Directors is soliciting applications from destinations interested in hosting the 2025 or 2026 Media Marketplace events. Please download the Request for Proposals for more information and details on how to apply. Past MATPRA Media Marketplaces Visit Montgomery County, Maryland – July 2023 Central Pennsylvania Region – October 2022 Greater Richmond, Virginia Region- September 2019 Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania – September 2018 Winchester, Virginia – September 2017 Talbot County, Maryland – September 2016 Erie, Pennsylvania – September 2015 Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania – October 2014 Arlington, Virginia – August 2013 Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania – September 2012 Calvert County, Maryland – September 2011 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – September 2010 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware – May 2009 Annapolis, Maryland – August 2008 Hampton, Virginia – June 2007 Lancaster, Pennsylvania – September 2006 Richmond, Virginia – May 2005 Washington, D.C. – June 2004