TravelHost, a publication that greets visitors in motel and hotel rooms across much of the country, is now coming to Wilmington.
 
For more than 50 years TravelHost has served as a destination resource guide for travelers, and an advertising and marketing tool for local businesses. It is found nationally in hotel rooms, at TravelHost.com and on smartphone apps. TravelHost says it serves more than 100 million travelers a year.

In North Carolina, there are already local TravelHost editions in Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and the Triangle. 

The Wilmington edition should make its debut in the spring.
 
“We're expected to launch our inaugural issue in May, and we will be quarterly,” said Wilmington publisher and owner Keith Dawn. “Our website, mobile app and Facebook/Instagram are under construction, but should be fully operational by the end of February.”

As publisher, Dawn is responsible for all marketing and sales activities for the TravelHost’s Wilmington print magazine, as well as online and mobile services.

"It's hard to say how many folks I'll employ, but later this year I'll be looking for people in sales, marketing, content generation and distribution," he added.

Dawn believes the inaugural issue will be about 48 pages.
 
TravelHost consists of a network of independent publishers who are involved in their communities, establish relationships with their local businesses and with the travel and hospitality industries. The company is based in Dallas.
 
“Keith brings tremendous media experience, and a track record of success to TravelHost," said Bill Schroeder, TravelHost’s president and CEO, in a news release. “With more than 25 years of industry experience in advertising, sales management and executive leadership, we look forward to Keith making Wilmington a model of success by connecting travelers with local businesses.”
 
Dawn said he is excited to bring the publication to the Cape Fear region. He moved here from New Jersey earlier this month. Dawn’s experience includes serving as publisher/COO of The Press of Atlantic City to associate publisher for Advance Publications in Staten Island. 
 
“As publisher of TravelHost Wilmington, I will offer local businesses access to travelers eager to discover new places to shop, dine, entertain and visit,” said Dawn in a company news release. “I love it here. I was drawn to this area because of its beauty and the abundance of outdoor activities."