Plans Include Record Presence In Orlando, Annual Takeover In NYC |
St. Pete/Clearwater (Dec. 15, 2017) – At two meetings last week with local tourism industry professionals, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) unveiled all-new marketing plans for 2018, which leverage big data in ways the destination’s never seen. “Research is going to dictate our behaviors and direction like never before,” said VSPC President & CEO, David Downing. “This state-of-the-art technology allows us to evaluate millions of data points and build a plan around it that we never could have done before.” After a year-long analysis of visitation patterns using AirSage—a pioneer in population analytics and location-based insights—VSPC is significantly ramping up its marketing presence in Orlando, which is the area’s greatest source of year-round visitation. New York and Tampa Bay round out the top three feeder markets—and increased initiatives are planned there as well—but Orlando, which delivers more than 30 percent more visitors than New York, will be a main focus in 2018. VSPC Chief Operating Officer Tim Ramsberger also gave an update on the organization’s structure, including the development of an all-new Sports & Events department, and introduced Kristin Coryn as the new Community Relations Manager. In addition, Media & Interactive Director Leroy Bridges outlined the latest industry digital trends, including the use of virtual reality in the promotion of meetings spaces and a first-of-its-kind pilot program with tech-giant Google. Here are some highlights from the marketing efforts planned in Orlando for the upcoming year, which will continue with the all-new, lifestyle-intensive creative VSPC rolled out earlier this year:
Other new efforts this year include Connected TV, which allows VSPC to get its message to “cord cutters” through streaming services, including Hulu and Roku. Of course, VSPC is still taking over New York City with its annual wintertime marketing blitz, complete with wrapped double-decker buses, commuter trains, subway cars, broadcast TV and urban panels. VSPC also rolled out its largest co-operative advertising program ever, which features programs starting at $100 and includes everything from print to video, digital retargeting, email and, new this year, Snapchat filters. Learn more here. Other resources: |