VISIT ANAHEIM’S COMMITMENT TO GIVING BACK

Some call “giving back” a random act of kindness. Others say it’s The Golden Rule in action. Still others refer to it as just the way things should be done.

Jay Burress, President & CEO of Visit Anaheim since 2013, has gained more perspective each year on what it means to give back to a community. During his tenure, he’s been able to visualize, sustain, and re-shape our vision through an ongoing commitment to doing the right thing.

“Visit Anaheim's mission is to develop, market and promote Anaheim as a premier visitor destination,” said Jay, “while benefiting the economic vitality of our communities.”

Giving Throughout 2018
Visit Anaheim has focused on a great many annual service projects within the community. Some are large, coordinated efforts; others are not so big, but all are important.

Last month, Visit Anaheim team members and our partners volunteered at The Orange County Food Bank in Garden Grove. Seventy-three members of the Anaheim tourism community gathered to stuff 1,530 boxes with food for those in need. “Everyone couldn’t have been prouder of this effort,” continued Mr. Burress.

We Work Closely with Convention Planners
Whenever there is a big convention coming to town, Visit Anaheim works with meeting planners to find the right fit between their clients and Anaheim-based companies and charitable organizations.

For example:
Natural Products Expo West exhibitors donated surplus samples and show products valued at over $172,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank and other local charities.

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) members participated in a Day of Service, as part of the 2018 NAMM Show. Volunteers supported Anaheim Elementary School District’s effort to bolster music education at Orange Grove Elementary School.

The morning began with a choral performance by second and fourth graders, directed by Principal Alex Ramirez, followed by a check presentation of $10,000 to the school district from The NAMM Foundation.

Various technology companies gave back to the school districts with tutoring, software and hardware.

Visit Anaheim and the American Heart Association gave CPR Training Kits to three Anaheim high schools – and will continue that program over the next several years until all Anaheim high schools are equipped with the life-saving training kits.

The Bottom Line: Everybody Benefits from Giving Back
In 2019, Visit Anaheim is looking forward to expanding giveback initiatives throughout the community with “Visit Anaheim Cares.” Mr. Burress plans to take giving back one step further by requesting a much broader reach to programming with Anaheim hotels, attractions, restaurants, and other partnerships.

“If all companies did that,” concluded Mr. Burress, “we’d be a very different society. Personally, I’m proud of the fact that Visit Anaheim is setting such a stellar example by doing this. If every tourism and hospitality organization followed our lead, the industry would realize that it can impact others by giving back. We need much more of that in this world.”