Get 2015 off to a great start – now’s the time to plan ahead for all of the tourism marketing opportunities offered by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, a division of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Here’s a look at what’s in store for this year – mark your calendars and get involved!
• Connecticut Governor’s Conference on Tourism – Sponsorships Available
• 2015 Marketing Outreach Meetings: March 3 – 5, 2015
• DNE Summit & International Marketplace: April 27 – 29, 2015
• 2015 Advertising Co-op Programs:
o NEW – Amplified Storytelling Co-op
o Connecticut 2015 Spring Getaway Guide
• Short & Long Lead PR Opportunities & Media Coverage
• Save the Dates
Connecticut Governor’s Conference on Tourism – Sponsorships Available
Connecticut’s annual tourism industry conference is going to be bigger and better than ever before. Now renamed the Connecticut Governor’s Conference on Tourism and once again managed by the DECD Connecticut Office of Tourism (in partnership with the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau).
Make plans now for reaching tourism/hotel/ restaurant/arts/travel industry partners! Mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 8 am – 4 pm at the Connecticut Convention Center.
For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Randy Fiveash, Director, Connecticut Office of Tourism at (860) 256-2769 or at Randall.Fiveash@ct.gov; or Susan Henrique, Business Development Director, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau at (860) 882-1101, (203) 209-2244 or at susanh@ctcsb.org.
2015 Industry Marketing Outreach Meetings – Save the Dates!
Connecticut Office of Tourism will host its annual series of industry partner marketing outreach meetings throughout the state this March – save the date for the meeting in your area:
Tuesday, March 3
9:30-11 a.m. – Hilton Mystic, Mystic
2-3:30 p.m. – Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center, Storrs
Wednesday, March 4
10-11:30 a.m. – Hilton Garden Inn, Norwalk
2-3:30 p.m. – The Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington
Thursday, March 5
9:30-11 a.m. – Madison Beach Hotel, Madison
2-3:30 p.m. – The Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford
More information to follow on the Industry Outreach Meetings; to register early, please email Jennifer Haag, Jennifer.haag@ct.gov.
DNE Tourism Summit & International Marketplace
Join the New England tourism industry at Discover New England’s 20th Annual Tourism Summit & International Marketplace, April 27 – 29, 2015 at Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Maine. It’s the only trade event entirely focused on the beautiful and vibrant region of New England.
This annual event allows New England tourism-based businesses to learn more about how to attract more international travelers and provides a chance to participate in one-on-one introductory meetings with overseas tour operators and New England based companies that contract tours to sell to tour operators.
Register Now and Save!
Early Bird Online Registration is now open – simply click here to get started. The Early Bird registration is only $550 per person and includes all DNE Summit meals and networking events. This is $100 off the standard price. Learn more about the DNE Summit and register now.
Advertising Co-op Programs
The Connecticut Office of Tourism is offering these exciting cooperative advertising opportunities for 2015:
• Amplified Storytelling Program is Underway
There is still time to participate in the new digital co-op program, Amplified Storytelling. Custom-written, long-form stories bring your destination’s experiences to life and drive large numbers of new visitors to your website. Add valuable content to your website and create relationships with travelers. Didn’t have a chance to attend the Amplified Storytelling webinar? Click here to listen (may take a few minutes to load). https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/701076464578477569
• Now Taking Reservations for Connecticut 2015 Spring Getaway Guide
Reserve now and secure your spot in the Connecticut 2015 Spring Getaway Guide. With a printed circulation of 980,000, a digital edition, and a four-month online campaign, you reach eager travelers in key drive markets as they begin to make their spring and summer vacation plans. To review the rate card, click here: http://www.maddenmedia.com/advertising/PDFs/CT/FY15/CTFS15_RateCard.pdf
For more information on these co-op programs contact Madden Media’s Lori Stockman: lstockman@maddenmedia.com. More opportunities are available at: http://www.ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3933&q=302600.
Short & Long Lead PR Opportunities
The Connecticut Office of Tourism is continuing to receive an influx of media requests for Valentine’s Day, President’s Day 2015, spring events and travel deals.. However, we are always looking for what’s new and exciting year-round, from attractions and events to shows and openings. To share your updates with the Connecticut Office of Tourism, send a note to the attention of Kelsey Varwig, Kelsey.Varwig@fleishman.com and copy Jean Hebert, Jean.Hebert@ct.gov.
Recent Media Coverage
Thank you for your participation and help sharing our Holiday Happenings which launched on COT’s social media channels this winter and showcased unique and different seasonal attractions, experiences and destinations around Connecticut in the form of mini-itineraries for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Below, please find a selection of recent stories and social posts from the effort and other media opportunities that the Connecticut Office of Tourism helped secure:
• Newsday, Winter in Connecticut: What to see and do
• Travel with Val, Festivals, Lights, and More in Connecticut this Holiday
• Family Travel Magazine, Mystic Connecticut Family Vacation
• Hamlet Hub, Ten Reasons to Love Connecticut During the Holiday Season
• New England Boating TV, New England Boating TV Season 2: Norwalk, CT Now Online
Save the Dates
• Connecticut Governor’s Conference on Tourism, May 12, 2015. For more information, contact Randy Fiveash, Director, Connecticut Office of Tourism at (860) 256-2769 or at Randall.Fiveash@ct.gov; Susan Henrique, Business Development Director, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau at (860) 882-1101, (203) 209-2244 or at susanh@ctscb.org.
• Connecticut Open House Day 2015, June 13, 2015. To receive information on the 2015 event, contact Rosemary Bove at Rosemary.Bove@ct.gov, (860) 256-2725, or Jean Hebert at Jean.Hebert@ct.gov or (860) 256-2739.