As fires continue to threaten communities across California, I hope you, your families, friends and colleagues are safe.

As with any crisis, our thoughts are with residents in the affected areas and the first responders who bravely rush into danger to protect life and property. We are incredibly grateful for their work. 

Visit California has activated its Crisis Communications Plan. Our website, call center and social media channels are communicating accurate and up-to-date information to potential visitors around the world. Our network of international offices is analyzing media coverage to inform ongoing response efforts. All 13 international offices are working with travel trade partners in each market, providing the latest information on areas impacted by the fires. We remain in close contact with the Governor’s Office and the Office of Emergency Services, among others.

Many of you have asked how you can help. We’ve compiled a partial list of organizations that are working to help the affected communities recover. The Office of Emergency Services has recommended only financial donations at this stage of the crisis, since there are limited locations to warehouse supplies or other items. If you would like to donate items, OES recommends making donations to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a similar organization that can stockpile goods. Some organizations are also looking for volunteer help.

• California Volunteers
• United Way of the Wine Country
• Community Foundation of Sonoma County
• Napa Valley Community Foundation
• Red Cross
• The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership
• Napa and Sonoma County Fire Relief Go Fund Me
• Redwood Empire Food Bank
• Redwood Credit Union
• Restaurants Care

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires, and we’ll continue to help offer updates on any changes that may impact the visitor experience.

In February, Visit California and more than 600 industry leaders from across the state will toast the best and brightest in tourism promotion efforts as the Poppy Awards return to 2018 Outlook Forum.

The Poppy Awards are held every two years to honor the individuals and organizations that embody the California spirit and elevate the Golden State brand. The event serves as the grand finale to Outlook Forum, the California travel and tourism industry’s flagship annual conference. 

Following the success of last year's sold-out event, 2018 Outlook Forum is shaping up to be a truly unforgettable experience, held this year at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim Feb. 14-15, 2018.

Each year, California's top tourism leaders and influencers come together to network and gain insights for two days of immersive sessions focusing on the latest issues shaping the global travel landscape. Sessions feature a diverse lineup of speakers and take on a variety of dynamic formats. The 2018 Poppy Awards will punctuate the week the evening of Feb. 15. Winners are selected by a panel of marketing experts in 10 categories, including best public relations campaign,  best digital campaign,  best regional collaborative marketing campaign, and more.

In 2016, the top campaigns across the state took home awards in 11 different categories in Oakland, and hundreds of industry leaders were on hand to celebrate the winners. Highlights of the night included several outstanding campaigns submitted by destination marketing organizations, including:

• Best Overall Marketing Program ($2M and up): Welcome to Koalafornia at the San Diego Zoo
• Best Public Relations Campaign (more than $20k): Two Guinness World Records set by Visit Huntington Beach
• Best Overall Marketing Program (less than $500k): Visit Oakland city-wide branding

Visit California is accepting submissions for the 2018 Poppies Oct. 2-27. Submit your nominations for a wide range of categories, including:

• Best Overall Marketing Program - $2 million and up
• Best Overall Marketing Program - $500,000 to $2 million
• Best Overall Marketing Program – less than $500,000
• Best Digital Campaign
• Best Social Media Campaign
• Best Content Marketing Initiative
• Best Cooperative Marketing
• Best Public Relations Campaign
• Making a Difference/California Cares

Registration for 2018 Outlook Forum is open, and rooms can be booked now at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Downtown Disney District. Space is limited, and the event is sure to sell out. Industry partners who register now can take advantage of special early-bird and bundle rates before Dec. 15.

Don't miss out on your chance to experience the magic at 2018 Outlook Forum. Stay tuned for more details regarding speaker information, special events and more.