Innovative marketing
At the recent West Virginia Governor's Conference on Tourism, the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCCVB) received the
“Most Innovative Marketing Campaign” award. The “Most Innovative” award is presented to
the marketing organization that identified and implemented a new idea during the
past year.
The GCCVB won the award after nominating its 2009 Spring Blitz social media campaign. With assistance from CRA, the GCCVB implemented the concentrated campaign which spanned the end of March through April 19. The web presence of the GCCVB was promoted on the organization's homepage and in multiple e-mail messages to key audiences. Specific activities included development and implementation of a Twitter page, updating Facebook icon to reflect comprehensive branding initiatives, and incorporated timely updates to social sites with news from the Greenbrier Valley (i.e. Delta blog and statements on the state of The Greenbrier). Additionally, radio, internet and print advertisements targeted markets within a 250 mile radius to and noted the online presence.
The results were award worthy. In just 20 days, the GCCVB increased its Web site visits by more than 2,000 visitors as compared to the previous 20-day period with a
notable average of 4.63 pages per visit. Visits and calls to the Visitors
Center increased 27 percent over 2008, the largest single increase in 18 months for the
GCCVB.
Further, the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival, which fell within the timing for the Spring Blitz enjoyed tremendous success as a result. The crowd (estimated at an
increase of 10 percent over 2008) included more than 3,000 individuals.
Adding to this well-deserved recognition, Sharon Rowe, senior consultant for CRA and GCCVB board member, was recognized with the Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement award for
her contributions to the tourism industry in West Virginia. Congratulations,
Sharon!
View work
for the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau.