Participate in a Dollar-for-Dollar Tourism Advertising Partnership

In January 2017, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut formed a working committee, the Greater Mystic Tourism Marketing Committee (GMTMC), to facilitate and streamline the region’s efforts to grow eastern Connecticut’s legacy as a premier tourism destination. This is being accomplished by engaging tourism businesses throughout eastern Connecticut in regional marketing through advocacy, partnership advertising, and cross-promotional packaging.
 
With resource support from the Chamber and the investment of volunteer energies from regional tourism entities, the GMTMC is working to provide a host of services to support the region, including:

• Serving as the region’s tourism partner with the Connecticut Office of Tourism (COT) and the state’s tourism website: www.CTVisit.com
• Coordinating partnerships with state-wide tourism groups, associations, and vendors to serve as an advocate for tourism
• Convening tourism and communications professionals to help define and shape the strategic direction of our region’s brand
• Facilitating regional workshops and partnership meetings designed to inform the community of state-wide developments and foster greater collaboration
• Assisting with social media outreach
• Coordinating the development of cross- promotional tourism packages
• Updating and promoting a robust regional calendar for both residents and tourists
• Serving as the fulfillment center for destination magazines and other promotional materials
• Coordinating partnership advertising opportunities 

It is on that last point that we have exciting news to share with you.

In cooperation with the State of Connecticut Office of Tourism, the Chamber has developed a partnership advertising program that will match advertising investments dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000. This program is available to any local attraction, restaurant or lodging property that signs on as a partner to the new initiative. It is designed to promote Greater Mystic businesses within the framework of the statewide advertising campaign, drive traffic to the specific partner listing pages on CTvisit.com, and generate leads in the form of website clicks, emails or calls.
 
Here are the campaign specifics:
 
Timing:
July – August 2017
 
Target Audience:                            

• Adults 25-54 with HHI of $100,000+, college educated, and who have vacationed in the US within the past year
• Out-of-State: primarily Manhattan, Boston, Springfield MA and Rhode Island

Key Tactics:
1. Features in the statewide campaign creative – including guaranteed inclusion in digital display, out-of-home or content marketing tactics for the state
2. Mystic-only creative supported by $100,000 in media aimed at promoting the Mystic region with:  
We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to Mystic-region businesses. It provides turnkey implementation for participants and the cost of media is subsidized by the Office of Tourism. This program is all about maximizing partnership with the State of CT efforts. If you would like to participate, please contact Cara MacDonald at cmacdonald@chamberect.com. This is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so reach out to Cara as soon as possible.
 
The Greater Mystic Tourism Marketing Committee is designed to be a regional platform from which all businesses can work together to represent and promote our region. This partnership is just one example of how that can happen. In the months ahead, you will hear more about workshops and meetings where tourism businesses can engage in the process. I encourage you to attend any of the sub-committee meetings that will be held or the regional workshops that will be developed. I also encourage you to reach out to the Chamber and share your stories and social media opportunities.
 
We live in a beautiful place that has drawn millions of visitors over the years. It is a place filled with nature, culture and life. Working together, we can strengthen this vibrant destination and ensure its significant economic impact for many years to come.
 
Thank you for all that you do and we look forward to working with you as we move ahead.