Podcasts about visit sacramento

KFBK has confirmed that a prestigious international food conference bringing hundreds of thousands of tourists and millions of dollars into the region will be coming to Sacramento in late September. Terra Madre Americas is an offshoot of a similar event held in Turin, Italy. Patrick Mulvaney — owner & purveyor of one of the city's most renowned restaurants, Mulvaney's B & L — told KFBK he's been spearheading the project, along with Visit Sacramento.

Join me, Kelly Brothers, as I engage in a captivating conversation with Mike Testa, CEO of Visit Sacramento, who shares his fascinating journey into the world of destination marketing. Growing up in Davis and spending time in the East Bay, Mike eventually returned to Sacramento, where he discovered his passion for showcasing the city's unique appeal. He opens up about the complexities of his role, especially in challenging times, and the importance of fostering a genuine belief in the city's potential. From conventioneers to sports enthusiasts, Mike discusses Visit Sacramento's strategy to attract a diverse range of visitors, highlighting the organization's funding structure and its pivotal role in enhancing the city's economic landscape. Listen in as we explore Sacramento's cultural and culinary evolution, inspired by successful music festivals like Aftershock and Golden Sky. Mike shares insights on how these events have transformed Sacramento's image and contributed significantly to the local economy. With an influx of visitors and substantial economic impact, these festivals underscore the city's potential to redefine itself beyond its government town roots. The conversation also touches on the logistical challenges of hosting such large-scale events and the importance of strategic planning in a competitive market. Our discussion further uncovers the potential for Sacramento to enhance its tourism offerings through developments like amateur sports facilities and soccer complexes. Mike emphasizes how such initiatives could attract tournaments and boost local tourism, while also enriching the city's identity. We delve into Sacramento's vibrant culture, from its "Farm to Fork" movement to its status as the "City of Trees," and the importance of embracing its multiple identities. The episode concludes with a focus on innovative marketing strategies to showcase Sacramento's appeal to a broader audience, leveraging various media platforms to reach potential visitors and strengthen the city's reputation. You can learn more about Visit Sacramento by visiting: https://www.visitsacramento.com/ For more information on what we provide at CAPTRUST visit www.captrust.com. You can contact me, Kelly Brothers, through the show at: bisifipodcast@gmail.com To reach me at CAPTRUST visit www.captrust.com/locations/sacramento-ca/ Chapter Summaries (00:00) Attracting Tourism to Sacramento Mike Testa shares his journey into destination marketing and Visit Sacramento's multifaceted approach to attract diverse visitors. (09:55) Cultivating Sacramento's Cultural and Culinary Identity Music festivals in Austin and Sacramento have transformed cities, generating economic impact and facing logistical challenges in a saturated market. (25:05) Transforming Sacramento's Tourism and Identity Building a soccer complex in Sacramento can attract tourism, benefit local teams, and showcase the city's vibrant culture and multiple identities. (34:33) Economic Development Ideas for Sacramento Regional collaboration, economic development, and sports fields are discussed to enhance Sacramento's appeal and vitality. (46:33) Marketing Strategies for Sacramento Marketing strategies for Sacramento include targeted advertising, social media, and a significant annual investment in leisure travel promotion.

From Aftershock to Golden Sky, Sacramento is quickly becoming a tourist attraction for music festivals. KFBK's Mark Demsky sat down in a one-on-one interview with Visit Sacramento CEO Mike Testa....

The annual 4-day Aftershock Festival got rolling yesterday out at Discovery Park. It's the largest hard rock event on the west coast with 130 bands. Mike Testa is with Visit Sacramento and says there's a reason Aftershock is so popular...

The proclaimed Farm To Fork Capital of America is Sacramento, California where the signature event of the Farm to Fork Festival is the Tower Bridge Dinner. Over 1,000 are on the Bridge to prepare, serve and enjoy a delicious locally grown and sourced dinner by some of the country's top chefs and  Northern California's top farmers. The event is sponsored by Visit Sacramento and Farm To Table Talk's Rodger Wasson is on the Bridge at the dinner with Visit Sacramento's CEO, Mike Testa and two of the featured Chefs: Brock MacDonald of Beast & Beauty and Ceil Rhoodes II of Nash and Proper. The 2024 Tower Bridge Dinner was a terrific start to the Annual Farm To Fork Festival and perhaps an invitation to other parts of the country to challenge Sacramento for the title of Farm To Fork Capital. www.Visitsacramento.com https://www.farmtofork.com/events/the-tower-bridge-dinner/

Yolo and Solano counties issue a health advisory about bird flu present in raw milk and raw dairy products. Also, the push to bring back Oak Park's public library. Finally, the Terra Madre Americas inaugural food festival is in Sacramento. Bird Flu Warning in Raw Milk  The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) has been spreading across the United States since 2021 - jumping from wild birds to domestic poultry, and now to dairy cattle and humans as well. Health officials in Solano and Yolo counties recently issued a health advisory, cautioning residents to avoid consuming raw milk and raw dairy products, due to the detection of H5N1 in these goods. Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Health, and Solano County Public Health Officer Dr. Bela Matyas, shed more light on this virus and the reasoning behind the advisory. Bringing Back Oak Park's Library There is a push to bring back a public library in Sacramento's Oak Park neighborhood. The effort comes from the community grassroots movement Friends of the Oak Park Library and has the support of its councilmember, current Sacramento Vice Mayor Caity Maple, who is now working to find the funding to reestablish the public library. Michael Benjamin II is a longtime Oak Park resident and District Director for Vice Mayor Maple. He joins Insight with the history of the Oak Park public library, which closed decades ago. Terra Madre Americas Food Festival If you want good food, wine and coffee this weekend - in the spirit of health and the environment - an international food festival based in Italy is breaking ground in the U.S. for the first time - and Sacramento was selected as the inaugural host. The Terra Madre Salone del Gusto welcomes upwards of 350,000 people to Turin, Italy. Mike Testa is the President & CEO of Visit Sacramento and Darrell Corti is the owner of Corti Bros market. They join us about the Terra Madre Americas festival, a three-day event May 17-19 at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium that is free to the public, and connected to the Slow Food movement.

Visit Sacramento and Slow Food are joining forces to host Terra Madre Americas, the American version of the internationally acclaimed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto food conference. The Sacramento event will bring together food producers, scientists, cooks, and researchers to share ideas and learn more about slow wine, slow coffee and slow food. Hear from Visit Sacramento Director of Events Annie Mosley and Chef Brad Cecchi on this week's episode as they explain the event, why it's coming to Sacramento and how you can be a part of it.

Join us as we dive deep into the heart of Sacramento with two pivotal figures driving the city's renaissance: Mike Testa, President & CEO of Visit Sacramento, and Michael Ault, Executive Director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership. In this enlightening episode, we're exploring the economic development, vibrant culture, and future potential of downtown Sacramento. Co-hosted by Ashley Haney, a leading real estate expert in the region, we uncover why Sacramento is becoming one of the most valuable places to live, work, and play. What You'll Discover in This Episode: The strategic visions of Visit Sacramento & Downtown Sacramento Partnership for the city's growth. Insightful discussions on the economic revitalization efforts in downtown Sacramento. The role of tourism and major events in boosting the local economy. Future trends in the real estate market within the urban core of Sacramento. Personal journeys of our guests and their deep-rooted passion for Sacramento's development. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to the series on Sacramento's value 1:51 - Mike Testa's journey and the impact of Visit Sacramento 4:14 - Michael Ault's vision for downtown revitalization 6:49 - The value of diversity and culture in Sacramento 10:59 - The inspiration behind the iconic Tower Bridge Dinner 19:34 - The economic impact of major events and festivals 28:30 - Year-round events that shape Sacramento's social scene 37:52 - The symbiotic relationship between Sacramento and its neighboring communities 45:02 - How the community can support Sacramento's growth and development ________________________________________________________________ If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region.  - Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_​...  -   Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz  -   Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney​  Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney​  Website: http://haneybiz.com​  Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273​   Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney - This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors.  This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.  Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement. #thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur  #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento #SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor #Podcast

City of Sacramento reports a nearly 19% drop in violent crime. How other countries have responded differently to mass shootings. Visit Sacramento launches a new Spanish-language podcast “Bienvenidos a Sacramento.”    City of Sacramento Reports Drop in Violent Crime Sacramento Police and city officials touted a roughly 18% reduction in violent crime so far in 2023. The city also announced $3.2 million in grants to community-based organizations working to interrupt violence in Sacramento. CapRadio Reporter Kate Wolffe dives into the early report. How Other Countries Reduce Mass Shootings An issue that can deeply divide us in the United States is gun control. While the U.S. is home to the largest number of mass shootings among developed countries in the world, and gun violence remains the number one cause of death for children, some argue that our constitutional right to a firearm continues to get in the way of meaningful and sensible gun control laws. Dr. Michael “Mick” North is the author of a book called, “Dunblane, Never Forget” after losing his 5-year-old daughter Sophie in a 1996 school shooting in Scotland, in which a gunman killed 16 students and their teacher before turning a gun on himself. Dr. North joins us Insight to talk about how he, and other parents who lost children, were able to change laws that resulted in a dramatic decline in gun-related deaths in the U.K. North also offers what he thinks can be done in the United States to bring the gun violence epidemic under control.  ‘Visit Sacramento' Launches Spanish Podcast  Visit Sacramento debuted their new Spanish-language podcast, Bienvenidos a Sacramento, last month. A tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month, the new program showcases the stories and contributions of local Latino and Latina individuals and organizations in the community, from the all-female group Mariachi Bonitas to the Latino Center of Arts and Culture. Host Lilly Cortés Wyatt and Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Visit Sacramento join Insight to talk about how this new podcast was started, the “intentionality” behind their approach, and the growth of Spanish-speaking podcast listenership.

Visit Sacramento recently launched a new, Spanish-language podcast, Bienvenidos a Sacramento. Hear (in English) host Lilly Cortés Wyatt describe the new podcast, where to listen, and why it's important to share the stories of the podcast guests.

Farm to Fork Festival is being held this weekend at Capitol Mall. “The Beatles Guitar Project Rock Orchestra” performs at the Crest Theater on Sunday. Sacramento students will perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival this weekend.   Farm to Fork Festival Street Fair The final and biggest event of Sacramento's Farm-to-Fork Festival is happening this weekend with the annual street fair on Capitol Mall. It features an impressive line-up of chefs, food demonstrations and concerts as well as some new features. Mike Testa, President and CEO of Visit Sacramento joins us to fill us in on all of the details along with Co-owners of the Sugar Sweetery, Justine and Candice Cabanilla, who will share their Farm-to-Fork journey from their perspective as minority, women and LGBTQ business owners. “The Beatles Guitar Project Rock Orchestra” It could go down as one of the coolest musical collaborations in Sacramento.  It's called “The Beatles Guitar Project Rock Orchestra” ... a mix of rock orchestra, set to some of the Beatles' most iconic hits and it's all happening this Saturday at the Crest Theater. Aside from the music, the performance benefits music education right here in Sacramento. CapRadio's midday classical host, Jennifer Reason, is one of the performers in Saturday's extravaganza and she will be joined on Insight by  Benjamin McClara, music director of the “The Beatles Guitar Project Rock Orchestra.”   Sacramento Musicians at Monterey Jazz Festival The 66th Monterey Jazz Festival is this weekend. Each year the festival also features several student bands, like the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo, which was created in 2019 to feature top high school women jazz players from across the country. Only six students get in, and this year two of them happen to be from Sacramento. CapRadio's Excellence in Jazz host Avery Jeffry recently sat down with the two students, Paloma Cobbs-Silva and Salome Ospina, to discuss their journey to Monterey. In Sacramento, you can hear Paloma Cobbs-Silva on October 20th at Twin Lotus Thai and Salome Ospina in the upcoming season of the Camellia Symphony. Both students were involved in the “Teagarden Jazz Camp” with the Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation.

Visit Sacramento's Farm-to-Fork events celebrate 10 years this year. Legends of Wine returns to the steps of the Capitol for the last time, the Tower Bridge Dinner feeds 858 on the iconic span, and two new activations at the Farm-to-Fork Festival join the most impressive music lineup in the festival's history.

Sacramento's Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum not only shares thousands of years of African history, but also brings a focus on the arts, with murals and more throughout the space. On this week's episode, founder Shonna McDaniels tells listeners what the museum has to offer, the history of it and the art pieces inside, and why it's an interesting and insightful place to visit.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who is the first Hmong to lead a major U.S. city. Sacramento Kings are playoff bound! A conversation with Visit Sacramento, Sac Kings analyst Kayte Christensen and announcer Scott Moak. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at Visit Sacramento is passionate about ensuring not only that diversity is added to the programs and events brought to town, and also that the neighborhood communities are “tourism ready” by looking at infrastructure and ways to attract visitors throughout the entire city. One of the programs she is proudest of is the Colour of Music Festival which brings Black classical musicians to Sacramento honoring the heritage of Black composers and musicians, serving to showcase their art, and bringing top-quality classical music to multiple stages. Great news, the festival is returning in November 2023! Learn more about visit Sacramento: https://www.visitsacramento.com/ Instagram & Facebook - @visitsacramento The mission of Visit Sacramento is to market Sacramento as a destination for meetings & conventions, travel trade and leisure travelers to generate economic impact for the City and County of Sacramento. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/iammswanda/support

Serving up messages that resonate, making sure the community is part of the tourism community and leveling the playing field - these are just a few of the tasks Visit Sacramento's Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and member of the Destinations International Board of Directors, is tasked with. How did a shy young girl who liked to hide in the background evolve into a leader in the tourism industry and someone who's shaping palpable change within her city? The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom sat down with Sonya to find out. Take a listen...Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies. Learn how to engage your community, win over stakeholders and get more visitors at tourismacademy.org. Support the show

Just how tough are you? How fearless are you? How adventurous are you? Even the toughest of you are going to blush when you hear our interview with adventure writer, Laura Killingbeck. Laura embodies adventure and endurance and we can't wait to hear her story about finding freedom through cycling and hiking.   Show Sponsor: UCAN Generation UCAN has a full line of nutrition products to fuel your sport. UCAN uses SuperStarch instead of simple sugars and stimulants to fuel athletes.  UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products. UCAN also has hydration products focused on giving you the sodium you need when hydrating, including several clean and light flavors. Steady energy equals sustained performance and a faster finish line!   Use UCAN in your training and racing to fuel the healthy way, finish stronger and recover more quickly!  Use the code 303UCAN for 20% off at ucan.co/discount/303UCAN/ or ucan.co   In Today's Show Feature Interview with Laura Killingbeck Endurance News Ironman California 2021 Boston Marathon champ Diana Kipyokei suspended U.S. American Women Dominate the 2022 World Beer Mile Title What's new in the 303 National Cycling League and Its August Colorado Race, More about the League Transitioning Back To Training After Injury Video of the Week IM CA Race Recon by TriDot   Feature Interview: Laura Killingbeck Laura is a writer and photographer covering topics like adventure, ecology, biking, backpacking, tiny houses, food, foraging, absurdity, hope, humor, and despair. Her work is filtered through the lens of intersectional feminism and is committed to authentic stories that spark healthy physical, emotional, and social motion.  Laura's writing and photography have appeared in Bicycling Magazine, The Adventure Cycling Association, CyclistaZine, The South Coast Almanac, Edible South Coast, The Tico Times, Permaculture Design Magazine, Communities Magazine, Kona Bikes, Outdoor Research, and more.   Some of her stories: In Search of The Wild Reindeer, Bicycling Magazine When Men Take Off Their Pants, Adventure Cycling Association Embracing Absurdity Can Be An Act Of Defiance, Outdoor Research Laura Killingbeck (laurasstories.live) News Sponsor Buddy Insurance: Buddy Insurance gives you peace of mind to enjoy your training and racing to the fullest. Buddy's mission is simple, to help people fearlessly enjoy an active and outdoor lifestyle.    Get on-demand accident insurance just in case the unexpected happens. Buddy ensures you have cash for bills fast.  Go to buddyinsurance.com and create an account.  There's no commitment or charge to create one.  Once you have an account created, it's a snap to open your phone and in a couple clicks have coverage for the day.  Check it out!   Endurance News:   Nearly 4,000 athletes coming to Sacramento for Ironman Sacramento Bee BY HANH TRUONG The Ironman California race, part of the Vinfast U.S. series, is coming to Sacramento again, inviting thousands of athletes to the region for the multi-course competition. Ironman California features a 2.4 mile downriver swim starting in the American River and ending near the Tower Bridge in the Sacramento River, a 112 mile flat bike course and a 26.2 mile run.   The triathalon offers 55 slots to the 2023 Vinfast Ironman World Championship in October 2023 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. More than 3,900 athletes are competing in this year's race. Registration for the contest is sold out. Last year's race, which anticipated roughly 3,500 participants, was canceled due to an October storm. When the 2021 event was announced, Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento's Sports Commission, said Ironman projected $15 million in economic impact for the region.   This year, then, will be the city's first Ironman triathlon. According to forecasts by the National Weather Service, athletes and supporters can expect highs near 74 on Sunday. The race is on Sunday, Oct. 23. The courses will run through Sacramento, from its rivers and agricultural regions to Discovery Park. You can see where the athletes are competing for each course online.   Athletes will arrive in Sacramento this week. Check in is on Thursday and Friday. Saturday will host the IronKids fun run. Monday will be the “celebration day” and award ceremony at the capitol. STREETS IMPACTED Several streets will be impacted on the day of the race, with some closed for multiple days. Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article267438982.html#storylink=cpy     2021 Boston Marathon champ Diana Kipyokei suspended and her agent doesn't hold back: “Diana is completely guilty. I am sorry.” By Jonathan Gault October 14, 2022   On Friday, the Athletics Integrity Unit announced the provisional suspension of two Kenyan marathoners, Diana Kipyokei and Betty Wilson Lempus, for anti-doping rule violations. Kipyokei, 28, won the 2021 Boston Marathon and was suspended for testing positive at the race for triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticoid that is banned in-competition. Lempus, 31, who owns a 65:47 half marathon personal best, tested positive for the same substance. Lempus was not charged for the positive test but an AIU investigation into her explanation resulted in a tampering charge for which she was suspended.   U.S. American Women Dominate the 2022 World Beer Mile Title Thirteen countries battled in Belgium for this year's Beer Mile World Championship. The most important rule? Don't throw up. OCTOBER 17, 2022 BRIAN METZLER from OUTSIDE ONLINE   American Elizabeth Laseter and Canadian Corey Bellemore put on quite a show at the Beer Mile World Classic on Saturday afternoon in Leuven, Belgium. When it comes to chugging suds and running fast 400-meter laps around a track, they were the best-in-show among the 65 runners from 13 countries participating in the de facto Beer Mile World Championships.   Running a beer mile is simple: a runner chugs a 12-ounce (or 355ml) beer, runs one lap around a track and repeats that three more times, a beer for each lap, as fast as possible – all without having it come back up, what is politely referred to as a “reversal of fortune.” The clock stops for each runner after the fourth lap is completed, unless they spew, when an additional fifth 400-meter penalty lap is required.   There are only a few basic rules to keep these speedy time trials in Belgium from looking like raucous beer-guzzling scenes choreographed to polka music at Oktoberfest in Munich. One rule is to make sure the beer in each can is fully finished. A second rule is that each beer is completed within the 9-meter “chug zone,” between the waterfall starting line and the finish line of each lap.   Laseter is a competitive runner—she ran for Johns Hopkins University in college and runs for the Bat City Track Club running club in Austin, Texas. But the 33-year-old food writer and photographer is also an exceptional beer chugger, a critical skill when it comes to running a beer mile for the podium.   Unfortunately, Laseter—as well as several other top runners in the women's race—was flagged for appearing to step outside of the “chug zone” before she had finished drinking a beer at the start of her fourth lap, thus negating what would have been a world-record 6:15 mile and a 25-second victory.   Aside from that small hiccup, those who watched the livefeed of the event—yes, the beer mile world championships was broadcast via livefeed—had to admire her high-performance execution. (Her effort broke down to roughly 25-30 seconds of chugging while running a 5:45-5:50 mile.)   Not only was Laseter given an “unofficial” finish, but so too was runner-up Laura Riches of the United Kingdom, who originally finished second in 6:30. That left American runner Melanie Pozdol, the third runner to cross the line in 6:41, as the one who was declared the winner of the women's race. (Her pace was fast, too, roughly the equivalent of a 6-minute mile with 40 seconds of chugging beers.)   What's New in the 303:   National Cycling League and Its August Colorado Race, More about the League By Bill Plock   Oct 20th, 2022–303Endurance spoke to the National Cycling League and learned a few things behind the scenes if you will. As publicly released the league's majority investors are professional athletes and entertainers and most notably all-pro Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.   There will be four races across the country; South Beach in Miami, Atlanta, Denver, and Washington DC. The race in Denver will be in August (firm dates released soon). The hope is to have a venue with more than a bike race experience. Think music and other entertainment and an energetic “gotta stay and play” atmosphere. The event will work hard to have a positive impact on underserved communities and spectators. The majority of investment will come from minorities and women.   Each race will technically be an “invitational”. While sanctioned by USA Cycling, by being an invitational they can deviate from traditional scoring and offer a more entertaining race. According to our source, each lap will count. “It won't be a traditional crit where you sit back and then pounce on the lead on the last lap, it will be much more compelling than the traditional primes that are offered.”   The league will feature two in-house teams with eight men and eight women and will have a couple of racers in development (think practice squad in the NFL). These teams will race against each other and eight other teams invited to join soon. What's interesting, all teams will have to have an equal number of men and women. But, if you are a team like the DNA Cycling women's team, you can partner with a men's team and compete. If you think you have what it takes to be on the in-house team or manage a team who wants to travel and compete, here is a link to apply: https://www.nclracing.com/regis   As previously reported the league will have unprecedented prize money with the largest prize purse in U.S. crit racing history with a $1 Million up for grabs. To win their share of the purse, 10 teams (2 NCL teams and 8 invited teams) will compete in four NCL Invitational races in 2023, to be held in Miami Beach, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Denver, Colo.; and Washington D.C. The races will start in March and end in September.   David Mulugheta, the NFL's most powerful agent and a co-founder of the NCL, said, “I've been in the sports industry for 15 years and this is the most exciting opportunity I've seen. Beyond the substantial number of people who bike, the ability to build the league from the ground up allows us to get the business, the values, and the ownership structure right. This is why so many professional athletes, entertainers, and people of influence are so excited about what we are building.”   The venue in Denver will be announced in the coming weeks and we are excited to be part of it and will bring you news shortly. We were told there will be a prominent Colorado cyclist on one of the in-house teams and we will be excited to talk with him/her soon!   TRANSITIONING BACK TO TRAINING AFTER INJURY By John Hansen | Oct. 14, 2022, 5:07 p.m. (ET)   An athlete holds their knee and shin as if they are experiencing leg pain.Injuries are a common and negative aspect of triathlon training and racing. They can sideline you for weeks, sometimes months. With proper recovery protocols, however, you can transition back to full training and racing. There are several considerations when returning to training in order to prevent injury relapse and make your transition back to normal training productive:   Avoid dramatic changes in volume and intensity. Allow the injury to heal completely. Stay consistent with training, avoiding long, 2-3+ week breaks. Engage in an all-body dynamic stretching routine prior to every strength and/or high intensity workout. Follow a slow warm up of at least 5-10 minutes prior to any swim, bike or run workout. Engage in yoga or an all-body static stretching and rolling, stick and/or myofascial release routine after every workout. Engage in an all-body strengthening routine 3+ times a week. Avoid lifestyle situations that may re-aggravate a recent injury – examples: aggressively participating in sports that your body is not conditioned to support, sitting or standing for prolonged periods, walking or climbing stairs in excess, lifting heavy or awkward objects, etc. Videotaping - videotaping can help you make form or technique changes once you return to full training and you don't feel any lingering effects of the injury that might alter your form. Videotaping your technique, especially while swimming or running, may uncover form flaws that may have contributed to the injury. This is valuable information for recovery and injury prevention. Beyond these general return-to-training measures, there are specific elements to consider if an injury occurs in the key phases of training: base, build and competition. Please note: these elements are dependent on how severe the injury was. More severe injuries require longer recovery periods and a more conservative approach. It also assumes that you have medical clearance and/or are finishing physical therapy but will follow at-home therapy recommendations, allowing you to return to training.   Base Phase If the injury occurs in the base phase, you stand the best chance of returning to normal training and having minimal effect on your season. Most injuries in this phase are mild to moderate and are caused by training volume, not intensity, so the severity is lessened. Key considerations when returning to training in this phase include:   Alter training surfaces and terrain – ease back into training by running on softer surfaces and limit the amount of hill training (run and bike) early in this phase. Gradually reduce but don't eliminate softer surface running and slowly increase the amount of hill training. Rebuild volume modestly – since each situation is unique, there is no specific protocol to follow, but use a 40-20 rule as a conservative guide. Start out with a training volume that is 40% of the volume you were at prior to the injury and add 20% of the new volume every 1-2 weeks. For minor injuries, this may be too conservative, and for more severe injuries, it may be too aggressive, but it can be a good starting point. In addition, since volume is the focus during this phase, reducing intensity may not be necessary. Walk-run protocols – for more severe running-specific injuries, consider a more conservative approach given the impactful nature of running. Start with 2-3 minutes of running and 1-2 minutes of walking and limit the workout to 15-20 minutes. Each week, add 1 minute of running and reduce the walk by 30 seconds. Keep at least 30 seconds of walk for every run segment. Once you reach 10 minutes of running per 30 seconds of walking, you should be able to run the entire workout. Trainer workouts – using a trainer for bike workouts adds stability and may be necessary to avoid the unpredictability of riding outdoors, especially after a severe and/or upper body injury. Strength training – general strength and/or dry land swim training can be a good transition back to training. Note: if strength training was the root cause of the injury, avoid or minimize those exercises that led to the initial injury until completely symptom-free. You may need to follow other recovery elements such as managing volume and intensity. Equipment adjustments – Make the following equipment adjustments as early as possible in this phase to allow your body to adjust to the change(s): Bike fit – Having a well-fit bike has several positive implications related to most joints in the body including wrists, neck, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. It also affects your lower back, hamstrings, calves and Achilles. The fit may address the injury itself such as moving the cleats on your shoe and/or raising/lowering the seat if you had a knee injury. Use a professional bike fitter for this option. Running orthotics – if orthotics are recommended to you, get these as early as possible. You must adjust to your new running biomechanics before increasing training volume and intensity. Continue to see a PT for follow up and progression checks – I often recommend having periodic appointments with your PT to ensure you are maintaining proper rehabilitation protocols, especially if returning from a chronic injury. A physical therapist helps a patient use a foam roller on his calf.   Build Phase If your injury occurs in the build phase and is either mild or moderate, you should be able to return to normal training with minimal effect on your racing season. If the injury is more severe, it may affect early-season races. Some considerations regarding your racing schedule may need to be made. Key considerations when returning to training in this phase include the following:   Strength Training – heavier lifting and/or plyometric workouts, which put a lot of strain on your body, are often a part of this phase. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need to return to lifting by using lighter weights and more reps. Moderately rebuild volume and intensity – many factors affect how aggressively you return to normal training including the severity of the injury, the length of this phase, when races are scheduled, and more. Follow the same 40-20 guide mentioned earlier if a conservative approach makes sense and the injury is more severe. Sometimes, a more aggressive approach may be required, but build volume to at least 75% of normal before adding lower levels of intensity. Equipment adjustments – Make the following equipment adjustments as early as possible in this phase to allow your body to adjust to the change(s): Bike seat position – height and forward/back – only minor adjustments based on the bike fit in the base phase. Consult with your bike fitter prior to making any adjustments. Running shoe wear and tear – due to training volume, running shoes may need to be replaced. A good rule of thumb for shoe replacement: if the shoe has 300-400 miles of use. Reduce the use of swim paddles/buoys – due to the overall volume and/or transition to higher intensity, reduce the use of paddles, even if they are used sparingly. Competition Phase If the injury occurs in the competition phase, you should be able to return to normal training. However, it will likely have a pronounced effect on your racing season depending on several factors, including the severity of the injury and how long of a race season you have scheduled. Key considerations when returning to training in this phase include the following:   Re-adjust racing schedule – it may be necessary to find races later in the season that allow you to rebuild fitness in order to meet your desired racing goals. Moderately rebuild volume and intensity – like the build phase, many factors affect how aggressively you return to normal training, including the severity of the injury, the length of this phase, when races are scheduled during this phase, and more. Follow the same principles outlined in the build phase unless a more aggressive approach can be tolerated. Don't get so aggressive that you reinjure yourself – there's often a thin line between getting reinjured and resuming normal training. Day-to-day adjustments may need to be made. This is a very vulnerable stage for reinjury due the sense of urgency races create. Equipment adjustments - equipment adjustments are only advised in extreme circumstances at this point of the season. If they must be made, they should be very minor and following the advice of your bike fitter. A productive return to training is possible when you follow a well-thought-out transition plan that is progressive in nature, not too aggressive, and incorporates the proper elements mentioned above.   DON'T GET SO AGGRESSIVE THAT YOU REINJURE YOURSELF – THERE'S OFTEN A THIN LINE BETWEEN GETTING REINJURED AND RESUMING NORMAL TRAINING. One final thought: the most vulnerable time for reinjury is when you feel normal as you return to training. Feeling normal in the early phases of recovery can be misleading since your volume and intensity are typically reduced dramatically. You may be anxious to resume normal training, but your body is often not ready. It's important as an athlete to be aware of your body and be able to read what it's telling you with respect to your transition back to training.   Video of the week: 2022 IRONMAN California Race Recon Webinar presented by RaceX       https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article255247916.html   Upcoming Guests: Adventure Writer, Laura Killingbeck, joins us to tell her story about finding freedom through cycling, finding that space to process our lives, and her amazing endurance journey to this life changing discovery. Closing: Thanks again for listening in this week.  Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment.  We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!

Sonya Bradley was the CMO for Visit Sacramento...about as high on the Org Chart as one can get in a DMO without being CEO. But then, she was offered the opportunity to transition to lead the organization's efforts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this fascinating conversation, Bill and Sonya discuss the process of building a culture of DEI both internally and throughout a community. Plus...a Bonus Round story with which so many of us can identify.

A brand-new country music festival experience will call Sacramento home. The GoldenSky Country Music Festival will make its debut in the Cap City this October, following on the heels of the highest-grossing rock festival in the U-S, Aftershock. Mike Testa of Visit Sacramento explains they've partnered with the same producers of that massively successful hard rock festival to double down with a second destination music festival in Sac.

Chef Chris Dann is an amazing Chef and creative entrepreneur who has spent years finding, eating, and creating great food. He has earned a multitude of awards since graduating culinary school, and continues to paint his life being vertically integrated as he is now one of the best Chefs in California earning a listed Michelin restaurant for his restaurant "Localis" . His food is expertly prepared, artfully plated and his journey here is even more inspiring. Tune is and see what Chef Chris Dan is dishing up on Episode 7. Follow Chef Dann on instagram @chefchrisbarnum Visit Localis: localissacramento.com

This week on the Destination Marketing Podcast, John Lambeth from Civitas and Mike Testa from Visit Sacramento join Adam to talk about some of the funding options available to destination marketing organizations. Listen to learn more about different tax options as well as how developing a tourism improvement district can help stabilize funding for years to come. "One of the things that have helped us to grow in Sacramento is that we believe in our city. We are passionate about what we do. I know people in the industry are often like that but you can't fake being passionate about the city that you live in. I think some of that passion has been contagious for our elected officials. They believe in what we do because we know the value of what we do." -Mike Testa Civitas Visit Sacramento Destination Marketing Podcast The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic's services,  please email adam@relicagency.com or visit https://www.relicagency.com/ To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit https://thedmpn.com/. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

Sacramento is a hub of entertainment with popular events like Aftershock and Farm to Fork and a new performing arts center. With COVID cases on the rise, our region is navigating staying safe while trying to return to the things we enjoy as a community. Mike Testa of Visit Sacramento joins host Scott Syphax for a conversation about what's happening in Sacramento – now and in the future.

Mike Testa is the President and CEO of Visit Sacramento & the Sacramento Sports Commission, leading a team dedicated to promoting Sacramento as an attractive travel destination while enhancing Sacramentos image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, Mike and his team strengthen Sacramento's economic position, grow the region's economy, attract development investment, and improve the quality of life for the people who call Sacramento home. In just three years as the CEO of Visit Sacramento, Mike has generated new streams of visitors to the region by investing in and promoting Sacramento's arts community and creating and expanding music and food festivals. He has also focused on growing and securing new and diverse sporting events and advocating for, and ultimately securing, the expansion of the Sacramento Convention Center. Visit California Travel & Tourism data shows that Mike's vision of diversifying Sacramento's visitor platform is working. In 2019, Sacramento generated record revenues from tourism, as visitors spent more than $3 billion into the regional economy. In 2021, Visit Sacramento will help further elevate the Aftershock Music Festival (the largest hard rock festival on the West Coast) into a four-day, 120,000-person music event. Later that same month, Sacramento will host its first Ironman competition. Through Mike's vision, commitment to community collaboration, and consistent innovation, Sacramentos identity has evolved from a sleepy State Capital to a relevant food destination, recognized nationally as America's Farm-to-Fork Capital. Through creating the Tower Bridge Dinner and events like the Farm-to-Fork Festival, Mike's ability to see Sacramento's heritage and reimagine its identity as a food and agriculture leader has brought millions of dollars in revenue to local businesses national earned media to Sacramento. Additionally, Mike Testa is responsible for initiating and creating the relationship with the Paris-based Michelin Guide to generate a California dining guide that spotlighted 14 of Sacramento's restaurants and earned the city its first Michelin-starred restaurant in its inaugural year of publication. Mike is a graduate of St. Mary's College and has spent his career promoting, connecting, and developing relationships to elevate organizational goals. As an expert communicator and seasoned destination marketing executive, he is highly sought after to speak at CEO forums, participate in panel discussions, serve as an event emcee, and facilitate conversations around marketing, tourism development, and community economic creation and development. Mike is also widely known as a thought leader in economic development through festivals and events. In 2017 he was hand-picked to participate in a panel discussion at Austins SXSW about building successful special events and the intricate components of forming relationships between host cities and festival producers. In 2008, Mike was named as a ‘40 under 40 leader' and in 2014 was awarded the Vibe Award from the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, which recognized ‘Visionary Innovators in Building Excellence.' He is active on the boards of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Zoo, Midtown Association, and Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Mike is an educator and enjoys sharing his knowledge as a former media relations instructor for the Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and the UC Davis Extension. On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Mike Testa, who shares his passion for the city of Sacramento and details how Visit Sacramento built a brand as the Farm-to-Fork capital of America. We discuss Sacramento's challenges as a city in California, where there are many bucket list cities, and creative ways his team has carved out positioning that Sacramento can own. Mike also highlights how his organization has creatively collaborated to successfully produce events for the city that are now attracting a vast number of visitors every year. What You Will Learn: All the exciting events that Visit Sacramento has created with its partners to attract visitors to the city, including the Farm-to-Fork Festival Why Mike focuses on building a brand to seek out national and international opportunities, including their collaboration with the Michelin Guides Visit Sacramento's creative plans for the future and how the COVID-19 pandemic has made them reflect on how they attract visitors to the city Why it's so critical to build partnerships during challenging times How Mike approaches destination marketing within the local community Leadership in Adversity In times of adversity, we often see that team members find the strength and confidence to step up to lead and are keen to take on challenges that benefit the whole community. Mike's leadership skills are shaped by his previous experience in a wide range of roles in marketing and community relationship development, and he fosters that ethos in his team. Mike also shares his insights on connecting with organizations in your area and why building deeper bonds ultimately helps you move forward to achieve your goals. Partnership Events With the Farm-to-Fork initiative, Mike and Visit Sacramento designed a 360-degree celebration of what the region had to offer and worked hard to get community and local media buy-in to the event, which has subsequently gone from strength to strength. Mike shares the most significant lessons he learned from building the festival gradually and candidly describes some of the valuable partnerships and collaborations they rely on to attract visitors to their destination. Website: https://www.visitsacramento.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-testa-1082673/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sacramento-convention-&-visitors-bureau Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitSacramento/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/visitsacramento We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more of. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!: https://breaktheicemedia.com/rating-review/

Visit Sacramento is happy to announce that the Farm-to-Fork events are returning in September 2021, with the Legends of Wine evening, Tower Bridge Dinner and two-day Farm-to-Fork Festival all in the works. On this episode, Director of Events Annie Mosley shares details of the events, how to get involved, and the challenges of safely planning events during a pandemic.

Visit Sacramento, like numerous other organizations across the nation, is committing to taking action and making change when it comes to  diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization, the region and the travel industry. As part of that, longtime leader Sonya Bradley is taking a new position as Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Visit Sacramento.On this week's episode of the Visit Sacramento Podcast, Bradley shares her vision for the position, the reasons behind it and how she hopes it will ultimately make Sacramento – one of the most diverse cities in the nation – an even more welcoming destination for all visitors.

Dave Eadie, director of the Visit Sacramento Sports Commission, shares what a sports commission does, how he was able to land multiple NCAA events for the next few years, and how sports will help Sacramento economically recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sacramento's Tower Bridge Dinner To Go lets you experience the great food of America's Farm-to-Fork Capital this year. No ticket, no problem. Area chefs are preparing a fantastic feast for you to take home or eat al fresco, and it lasts all week from Sept. 12-19.

"Bridge Dinner". Who says metaphors can’t stick to your ribs? When a bridge is closed to bring people together over food, you are witnessing a metaphor coming alive. In Sacramento the Tower Bridge Dinner over the Sacramento River in front of the Capitol serves over 800 guests and is the crowning event of the Annual Farm to Fork street Festival attended by over 140,000. A team of chefs, over a one thousand volunteers and local farmers bring their best to the bridge for a delicious dining experience that earns mutual respect and gratitude. Farm To Table Talk was on the (windy) bridge to talk to chefs, farmers and guests.  In this episode we visit with Mike Testa the CEO of Visit Sacramento, Sawyer Hotel Executive Chef Pat Prager, Eilers Farms, Hennii Eilers McIntire and Bridge Chef Molly Hawks of Hawks Restaurant. #SACFARM2FORK

#Reinvention challenges us to defy preconceived notions, to know something well enough to break it apart and build it back up or to find an alternate perspective richer in curiosity, creativity, and criticism. Steven joined the renowned Groundlings Theatre of Los Angeles in 1996 and has served on the board of directors and the school's steering committee. Sonya Bradley is the Chief Marketing Officer for Visit Sacramento and its family of brands: America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, Sacramento Sports Commission, Sacramento365, Film Sacramento and Sac Event Crew.

Karlee Cemo-McIntosh is the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Sacramento365, a brand of Visit Sacramento. In late 2015 her sister Kristi, who lived in New Orleans, surviving Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). This was Kristi and her family's first experience with blood cancer. Life changed dramatically for all during the 18+ months of treatments and therapies in her battle with this disease. As Kristi fought for her her life, the significant distance between them left Karlee with a feeling of helplessness. In 2017, to empower herself and her family and to support her sister, Karlee ran as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year, a 10-week fundraising campaign. Unfortunately, Kristi did not survive, losing her battle with cancer at the midpoint of the campaign. However, Karlee, with the support of her heartbroken family, went on to raise over $231,000 and was able to name and direct four $50,000 research grants in Kristi’s memory.

President and CEO Mike Testa of Visit Sacramento was listening to the Dog and Joe Sho the other day where Dog was railing on Sacramento for not being a destination city, So MIke Testa wanted to set the record straight and let The River Rockers know what is being done to make Sacramento a destination city.

Farm-to-Fork isn’t a passing fad or a marketing slogan in the Sacramento region – it’s the favored way. The region has been an agricultural powerhouse for centuries, boasting a year-round growing season, ideal climate and a "mouth-watering bounty" of crops. The six counties surrounding the greater Sacramento region grows over 150 crop varieties, supports a regional $7.2 billion agricultural economy;  are home to more than 1.5 million acres in active farmland. There is a priority to engage the entire community in the local food system-- helping to feed the nation and the world and celebrate that fact locally. The region is home to more than 40 regional farmers markets—including the largest California Certified Farmers’ Market in the state. Local restaurants utilize the abundance of regionally grown products to create a Farm-to-Fork freshness, whether enjoying a burger or an elegant dinner. And as the seasons change, so do the Sacramento region’s restaurant menus, ensuring a true taste of local flavor. Sacramento's self-recognition of its status in the Farm To Fork world and subsequent declaration was no accident.  To share the journey, the accomplishments and the Farm To Fork promise Farm to Table Talk visits with Mike Testa, the President and CEO of Visit Sacramento, who faced initial criticism when the slogan on the highly visible water tower replaced "City of Trees" with "America' Farm-To-Fork Capital."  

Wide Open Walls (WOW) is the official name for Sacramento's annual mural festival, now in its second year. Between August 10-20, 2017, 50 artists from 12 countries are painting 40 individual surfaces, from small-business walls and back-street alleys on the Grid to silos and water towers in the suburbs. When they look around Sacramento, what will catch their eye? When they put down their brushes and paint-sprayers, what will they leave behind for us? Street art is a big deal around the globe -- think Montreal with its own famous Mural Festival, Wynwood Walls in Miami, San Francisco's Mission District. As the capital of the (currently) 5th largest economy in the world, is it Sacramento's time to join the ranks of international cities known for their colorful, vibrant street-art scenes and communities? If so, what should those look like? What images should be on those walls? Who decides what they should be and where they should go? And how do the non-painters of us living here figure into creating a world-class street-art scene in Sacramento? We hosted a WOW-focused panel on August 9, 2017, at Beatnik Studios, which showed work from every local artist participating in WOW. PANELISTS * Raphael Delgado, a Sacramento artist who recently returned from a residency in Montreal, home to the largest street art festival in North America -- his WOW mural will be on the wall of Jalapeño's on 21st Street in Midtown Sacramento * David Sobon, founder and producer of Wide Open Walls, and a member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission * Mike Testa, the brand-new CEO of Visit Sacramento, the city's convention and visitors bureau, which is a big sponsor of Wide Open Walls * Demetris "BAMR" Washington, a Sacramento-based artist who has painted more than 20 murals throughout the city, with his latest one being for WOW and located in South Sacramento PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 1:50 - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 1:50 min - "'Hey, I curate a gallery, come jump in my car!" - - The panelists introduce themselves * 5:20 min - "It was nothing more than being inspired by walking the dog with my wife in the alleys of Sacramento" - Comparing and contrasting last year's inaugural mural fest to this year's WOW * 11:20 min - "It's something that media will be interested in across the country" - How (and why) the City of Sacramento is supporting WOW * 15:15 min - "They're so into what we are doing, so we have to dictate the trends" - How Raphael Delgado gets inspired, both here in town and outside the U.S. * 19:05 - "They have something to say, so they use my voice" - How BAMR does his murals * 22:05 - "We'd like to give everybody complete control, but we also have sponsors that need to be taken care of" - What WOW artists are told before they start painting * 25 min - "It's 90 feet wide, 25 feet tall and it's filled with poetry" - Should Sacramento's street art reflect the city itself? * 31:50 min - "Put us in the ring with the best in the world. We'll be all right" - What's the right mix of international artists and local artists for the WOW festival? * 37:15 min - "We're going to go paint in areas that are not cool" - Incorporating residents and the community into WOW * 44:55 min - "You're living in a dream world" - The artist/sponsor collaboration, and how that affects the final work * 50:10 min - "Find people who are willing to push" - Cutting the red tape to get artists working more closely with businesses, nonprofits and government agencies * 58:05 min - "It boosts the esteem of an entire community of people" - the political and economic impact of WOW * 1 hr, 2 min - "Great ideas are only great ideas unless people take them off the paper they're written on" - When did this start happening in Sacramento? * 1 hr, 6 min - "Suddenly we see not only Downtown and Midtown full of murals, but the entire region" - What the goal is after WOW ends on August 20