WE’RE NOT JUST BUILDING A TRAIL,
WE’RE CULTIVATING A LOCAL ECONOMY!
The Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT) is a visitor-directed experiential “journey of discovery” connecting “aqua-artisan” oyster businesses, producers/purveyors, seafood restaurants and raw bars, pairings with wine and craft beers and spirits, experiential eco-tours, unique lodging and cultural sites in Virginia’s distinctive coastal region for the ultimate Virginia Oyster travel experience.
ENROLL NOW TO ENJOY THESE BENEFITS
MARKETING AND BRANDING
Free lease of a “Virginia Oyster Trail” metal locator sign for active trail members.
Inclusion in the trail’s related marketing promotions (exclusive exposure is available per opt-in sponsorship/marketing placements applies).
Use of the Virginia Oyster Trail logo for PR (Brand Usage Policy applies).
UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS PROFILE
Individual business profile serves like a “demi website” on the Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT) website:
interest photos and logo display
your “call to action” business tagline
hours of operation with narrative option
location map with visitor trip planning functionality
visitor enticement - “save to my itinerary” invitational call out
professional distinction listings & shell recycling button
description with full editing/image and linking capabilities
comprehensive contact information
option to link to your website
social networking buttons to your Facebook, Virginia.org, TripAdvisor, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube and Etsy.
CALENDAR AND DIGITAL MARKETING
Promote your upcoming Virginia Oyster related events and promotions on the Virginia Oyster Trail Calendar of Events.
The monthly Virginia Oyster Trail White Boot Blog reaches oyster lovers worldwide to share interesting Virginia Oyster-related topics on a more personal level.
SOCIAL MEDIA & VISITOR TRIP PLANNER
Virginia Oyster Trail social media feeds are a quick and easy way to share content with multiple social media sites.
The Virginia Oyster Trail positioned as a great resource for oyster related content to help visitors plan their adventures and as a conduit for tourism in Virginia.
DYNAMIC GOOGLE MAPPING & VISITOR TRIP PLANNER
One of the most used features on the Virginia Oyster Trail is the dynamic Google map system with it’s trip planning features to help visitors navigate their way along the trail.
On your member profile pages, visitors see exactly where you are on an interactive Google map. Your map pin shows your location, displays your name, tagline, address, and links directly to your profile page.
From your individual page, visitors can save your information to their trip planner for future reference as they plan their oyster adventures.
See who's on the trail!
Trail Site Links
Choose a button below to explore the many oyster-related places, activities and experiences that are waiting for you.
What Others Are Saying About The Virginia Oyster Trail
- General
- Oyster Watermen/Aquaculture
- Restaurants
- Agri-Artisans
- Lodging
- Cultural
- Artists/Art Venues
GENERAL CRITERIA – ALL VIRGINIA OYSTER TRAIL SITES
- The trail site features and promotes a genuine Virginia Oyster visitor experience.
- The trail site focuses and guarantees Virginia Oyster authenticity and quality.
- The trail site celebrates the cultural diversity of the region and reflects positively on its heritage.
- The trail site is well marked with a business sign (a VOT trail sign will be provided once qualified).
- The trail site specifies and maintains regular business hours. Seasonal hours are acceptable. Businesses that are open to the public “by appointment only” or fewer than two days per week will be considered.
- The trail site is visitor friendly, clean, safe and provides adequate restrooms, ample parking, directional signs, icon denoting handicap accessibility, etc.
- The trail site’s parking area is easily accessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles (4-wheel drive only access areas do not qualify).
- The trail site promotes, connects and collaborates with other trail site participants on the Virginia Oyster Trail.
- The trail site is featured or agrees to be featured on the Virginia Tourism Corporation website: Virginia.org (Note: other Virginia Oyster Industry related website participation is recommended however not required for trail participation).
Program Disclaimer: All trail site businesses/owners are solely responsible for complying with zoning regulations, ordinances, health and business licensing requirements as well as any required or discretionary insurance liability coverage in addition to taking steps to reduce/eliminate risk due to negligence.
Open enrollment on the Trail is year ‘round with exposure online in real-time, all the time. The enrollment application is subject to review to ensure the business meets participation criteria. Once you are approved, you will receive an official 'welcome' with the login codes and a trail sign will be made available.
OYSTER WATERMEN/AQUACULTURE BUSINESSES
Examples: Watermen, Oyster Growers, Watermen Tours, **Farm/Seafood Markets
- The oyster business must be open to hosting visitors.
- The oyster business business must provides an interpretative experience of the Virginia Oyster.
- The site has qualified as a business by presenting evidence of at least one of the following for approval: photo, exhibits, demonstrations, tours, workshops, maps, brochures, video or another expressed written method.
- **Farm/Seafood Markets must feature Virginia Oysters on a regular basis.
$50 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee
CLICK HERE to download a printable application
RESTAURANTS
Examples: Restaurants, Oyster Bars, Diners, Night Clubs, Cafés
- The restaurant must specifically feature the Virginia Oyster on a consistent basis and as a main item on their menu. Suggested methods of interpretation:
- Feature and promote at least one Virginia Oyster producer’s product while offering different menu preparations (half?shell, roasted, fried, baked, stewed, seasoned, etc.).
- Creates a separate Virginia Oyster story sheet (akin to a wine list).
- Describes the type of Virginia Oyster being served, i.e., the region it came from and distinguishing taste characteristics.
- Notes the name of the Virginia producers or watermen who supplied the oysters.
- Option, yet highly encouraged: Recommend pairings where Virginia-made beverages, condiments, produce, meats, dairy products are served.
- Feature a monthly Virginia Oyster Night emphasis.
$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee
CLICK HERE to download a printable application
AGRI-ARTISANS
Examples: Visitor experience agricultural businesses such as *Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Cideries
- The Agri-Artisan site provides a cultural heritage interpretative experience of the Virginia Oyster.
- The site has qualified as a business by presenting evidence of at least one of the following for approval: photo, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, maps, brochures, video or another expressed written method.
- The site’s agricultural and food products feature Virginia Oysters and prioritize locally grown or produced goods.
- *Wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries must exhibit proof of one of the following:
- Participates or hosts a minimum of 2 Virginia Oyster Events/year.
- Serves Virginia Oysters either as a menu option or in pairings regularly.
$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee
CLICK HERE to download a printable application
LODGING
Examples: Bed & Breakfast; Campsite; Cabin; Inn
- The lodging site is locally-owned/managed in the Virginia Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore and/or Coastal Virginia regions. Franchises and chains will only be considered in areas where lodging is at an extreme minimum.
- All lodging sites must feature/promote the Virginia Oyster, providing Virginia Oyster Trail interpretive materials that tell about the local Virginia Oyster.
- In the event a lodging property does not qualify, yet the property has a restaurant serving Virginia Oysters, it may qualify as a “restaurant” (see Restaurants tab for specific restaurant criteria).
$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee
CLICK HERE to download a printable application
CULTURAL POINTS OF INTEREST
Examples: Historic & cultural centers; museums; information/ interpretive; educational; recreational; events/festivals
- A point of interest site specifically features the Virginia Oyster’s cultural heritage within the region.
- A point of interest site features educational activities that are open to the public and provide content specific to the Virginia Oyster whether artistic, environmental, historical, or business related.
- A point of interest site features recreational and/or event activities that specifically revolve around the Virginia Oyster.
$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee
CLICK HERE to download a printable application
ARTISTS AND ART RETAIL VENUES
ARTISTS
Examples: Painters with watermen and/or Virginia Oyster subject matter; jewelers/sculptors and other craft artisans utilizing Virginia Oyster shells in their works; Production level artisans creating authentic Virginia Oyster collectibles
- The artist is creating original works that specifically feature the Virginia Oyster on a consistent basis and as a main line of their media.
- The artist’s studio has qualified as a business by presenting evidence of at least one of the following for approval: website; photo, maps, brochure, video or another expressed written method.
- The artist’s studio may also provide demonstrations and/or workshops on their art.
- The artist’s studio features 5 or fewer artists (including the owner of the studio). If more than 5 artists are featured, the site must upgrade to “venue”.
ART VENUES
Examples: Locally-owned business where retail sales are made such as: galleries; retail shops; gift shops
- The venue promotes original works and/or exhibitions featuring local artists who specifically feature the Virginia Oyster in their media.
- The venue, gift shop and/or gallery prioritizes “American-made” with an emphasis on locally created art from the trail region. Shops with a strong product line of imports or crafts made from kits may not qualify.
$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee
CLICK HERE to download a printable application
Sponsors
