JULY 2014
   
INDUSTRY E-NEWS
In this issue
MarketingMarketing & Advertising

Word-of-Mouth Marketing with the Comox Valley B&B Association  

 

The Comox Valley Bed and Breakfast Association, comprised of nearly 20 properties, is inviting tourism businesses to participate in their Concierge Program - a unique, cost effective marketing opportunity that will drive B&B guests to other businesses in the region. 

 

Click here for CVBBA invitation and more information. 

Tourism Vancouver Island Vacation Guide & Outdoor Guide
Marketing Opportunities

 

The 2015 Tourism Vancouver Island Vacation Guide and Outdoor Guide advertising opportunities are now available. There are 175,000 printed guides between the two publications that are distributed to over 500 locations year round. 

 

To learn more click here or contact Jane Hay, Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism if you are interested. [email protected] or 250-334-2427 

Promote your Business at the Comox Valley Airport

 

Over 600,000 people go through the Comox Valley Airport each year. There are 52 Backlit Signs that can be used to promote your business. Most are sold; however, there are a few prime spots available in both arrivals or departures. Lease a spot from 1 year or longer. Rates are VERY inexpensive and with a 25% deposit - monthly terms can be arranged. Perfect for Golf Courses, Hotels, Restaurants or to SELL your story. 

 

Call Keith Currie, Comox Valley Echo, at 250-334-4722 or 250-897-5055.

 

Click here to view rate card 

Online Marketing:  #exploreBC  #ComoxValley

Thousands of visitors and BC residents alike are already actively using the #exploreBC hashtag to tag and share their BC experiences, presenting a huge opportunity for tourism businesses and destination marketing organizations to connect with them. There are currently more than 126,000 photos tagged with #exploreBC on Instagram, and content tagged with #exploreBC has a potential monthly reach of 7 million people between Instagram and Twitter.

 

Join the conversation by using #ComoxValley along with #exploreBC to increase the awareness of the Comox Valley. 

 

 Click here for the official Explore BC blogClick here for Destination BC Social Media Handbook

Promote your product with photos that sell

 

Discover Comox Valley is looking for images to include in its online and print destination marketing activities. Images that:

  • Focus on personal experiences
  • Highlight active adventure 
  • Warm and inviting scenes
  • Show connections with local businesses/producers
  • Special spots of the Valley
These images will be used in publications, website, print ads, online ads, social media engagement and collateral, in turn promoting your business and the experiences it encompasses. Please contact Jane Hay, Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism, [email protected] or 250-334-2427
VisitorServicesVisitor Services Opportunities 

Vancouver Island Visitor Centre Quick Facts  

The VIVC has enjoyed incredibly strong 'true visitor' numbers; April was 39% increase, May and June saw 29% increase; over 7100 true visitors were assisted with their trip planning needs by the Centre's team. True visitors are what would be considered as 'tourists' - visitors from outside the Comox Valley area. Visitor inquiries via phone are up 39%, while activity bookings via the Centre are up 69% from this time last year.

 

Make sure the Centre knows about your events, new products and activities; contact them if you are interested in becoming a bookable product through their various sales systems; [email protected]

 

Click here for 2013 Annual Report

Save on Advertising at the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre & DiscoverComoxValley.com

Are you a tourism business that wants to take advantage of the thousands of visitors arriving at the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre this summer? If so, there are special advertising options to boost your traffic!

  • Brochure racking in Visitor Services area   
  • Restroom & Hallway Signage 
  • WIFI Login Screen advertising
  • 30 second on-screen advertising near the Visitor Service counter
  • Feature Display Space at on-site centre locations
  • Special Events Banner
  • Small Road Welcome Sign Sponsorship
  • Web listing on DiscoverComoxValley.com, iPhone app and mobile web

Book any 3 items and receive a 10% discount! Call Better Mousetrap Marketing to book today at 250.871.8727 - click here to download the current rate sheet!  

 

Free Events Calendar  

Make sure to upload your festivals and events on discovercomoxvalley.com for additional exposure! 
Click here to upload!

MediaMedia Relations

GoMedia Canada Marketplace 2014 

Media Marketplaces hosted by the Canadian Tourism Commission, take place twice a year - in the Spring and late Summer. GoMedia Canada Marketplace is coming up Aug 17-21, in Winnipeg and 114 media have registered. At this show Comox Valley stories will be pitched to media/media outlets from across Canada and overseas including China, Korea, Japan, Australia, UK, and Germany.

 

Both the spring and summer shows provide the opportunity for one-to-one meetings with media during which the focus is on pitching compelling story angles that best fit the outlets' audience. An example of the cycle of the pitch-to-print, is the article that appears in this month's British Columbia Magazine. Andrew Findlay and the editor, Jane Nahirny, attended Canada Media Marketplace in April of 2013. At this show, agri-tourism and the Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour was the focus of the pitch. The story landed, and was placed into the editorial calendar for this summer of 2014. It took 15 months to bring this story to the pages of the magazine. Freshly out on the stands, we've included a sneak peek below.
 

Click here - "Cycle, Sample, Sip" - BC Magazine, Summer 2014

 

2014 Farm Cycle Tour Dates: August 9 & 10

 

Christmas in the Media 

Its time to start thinking about Christmas (the media are), so if you are planning any holiday events, Christmas / New Year packages or have unique Christmas gift ideas, please share them with us along with a brief description, a contact name and email/phone number to follow up with and a cost. Information can be emailed to [email protected]

FestivalEventsFestival and Events 

Sport and Event Attraction and Expansion Grant Program 

- Phase 2 

 

As part of the 2014 Comox Valley Destination Marketing Tactical Plan, with support by the Additional Hotel Room Tax, the Sport and Event Attraction and Expansion Grant Program has been established to support the mandate of expanding existing or attracting new events that have the ability to bring overnight stays to the Comox Valley.


The Sport and Event Attraction and Expansion Grant Program offers financial support to festivals and local organizations hosting events in the Comox Valley. It is intended that this fund will provide the stimulus and funds to assist organizations to bid on, create, expand, host, market, and administer events that can demonstrate attracting out of town visitors. 

 

In early July a Destination Marketing Advisory Committee granted 2 grants for Phase II of the Program. Congratulations to:

  1. Coal Hills BMX for the Canadian National BMX Race July 18 - 20, 2014
  2. Comox Valley Road Runners for the expansion of the Comox Valley Half Marathon March 21 & 22, 2015
 2nd intake of applications is August 31, 2014. Click here for application and Program details. 

Tourism Vancouver Island 51st Annual Conference & AGM

 

Hosted at Tigh-Na-Mara Spa Resort and Conference Centre, Tourism Vancouver Islands 51st Annual Conference and AGM will take place from September 9 - 11, 2014 in the Parksville Qualicum Beach Region. Enjoy 3 days of dynamic speakers, networking opportunities, fabulous food and beverages, activities

and the Gala Dinner and Awards Night featuring live and silent auctions.  

 

Click her to register!

Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour - August 9 & 10, 2014

 

This event showcases local food, local farms, and healthy living. Self-guided cycle tours offer a unique way of visiting working farms and a rare chance to meet local producers and participate in demonstrations and activities put on from each farm. Click here to learn more or to register

 

Follow the Event

#cvfarmcycle  

www.facebook.com/CVFarmCycleTour
NewsIn the News
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Discover Comox Valley
Phone: 250.334.2427
#200 -580 Duncan Ave, Courtenay BC V9N2M7