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Greetings!
During our strategic planning process the Sikeston Convention & Visitors Bureau recognized the need to expand our marketing to include the group tour industry. While research indicates the greatest number of travelers to Missouri use personal automobiles, there remains a niche market for regional group tours. In July the Sikeston CVB kicked off its FY-13 Group Tour Advertising Campaign. This campaign consists of print advertising with electronic media components. Additionally, we will partner with the Missouri Division of Tourism's marketing efforts to create regional branding, and lead development. Realizing the group tour industry normally plans tours up to a year in advance, we anticipate increased group tour traffic by late 2013
The purpose of all our promotions is to communicate accurate and timely information to potential visitors, motivating them to visit Sikeston where they will shop, eat and spend the night. We depend on you, the hospitality/retail industry, to provide the experience that brings visitors back to our community. This is an important partnership that we at the CVB value.
Should you have questions or if we can be of assistance please call the CVB Office at 471-6362.
The Management and Staff, Sikeston CVB |
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MARKETING OPPORTUNITY
RV Caravan Coming to Sikeston
We have received confirmation of a RV caravan (26-members) coming to Sikeston on Saturday, October 6. This is an established tourism vendor that hosts a Mississippi River Tour starting in Minnesota and ending in West Memphis, Arkansas. This group is unique in that each member has their own vehicle, and will be free to visit businesses and sites in our area. The Sikeston CVB will be providing welcome packets containing brochures and maps of the area. Our goal is to not only market our local vendors that weekend, but to entice these folks to return to Sikeston on their way home from Arkansas.
We invite area merchants to provide coupons or guest offers to be included in the CVB welcome packet. This is a great opportunity. Tour participants are 45+ years of age with significant disposable income. If you would like to provide coupons, small promotional items or other materials for the CVB guest bags, please drop off your materials at Sikeston City Hall, 105 E. Center St., by no later than Monday, September 17.
If you have questions please contact Linda Lowes or Rhonda Council at 573-471-2512. |
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GROUP TOUR RESOURCE MATERIAL REQUEST
As indicated in our introduction, the CVB is developing resources to effectively manage group tour planner inquiries. CVB staff is developing a resource page on www.visitsikeston.com that will provide the names of local establishments that welcome tour groups. If you wish to be listed on this site, please provide Linda Lowes of the Sikeston CVB with the following information:
- Company name and location;
- Your group tour coordinator's contact information;
- Your hours of operation; and
- Your company's web address (URL)
If your organization has specific guidelines regarding group tours, rates or offers that we should be aware of during preliminary discussions with group tour planners, please provide this as well. You may contact Linda Lowes at Sikeston City Hall, 105 E. Center St., Sikeston, by phone 573-471-2512, or by email at lllowes@sikeston.org. |
LEISURE TRAVEL MARKET CAMPAIGN WRAP-UP
The Sikeston Convention & Visitors Bureau will be finalizing the FY-12 Leisure Travel Market Campaign in the coming weeks. Here is a brief overview of our results:
Components: 5 print advertisements with electronic media components; 1 lead generator Internet sweepstakes promotion; billboards; Internet brochure; mobile phone app; email blast program; brochures - Visitors Guide and Calendar of events; and website.
Primary Markets: Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas
Inquiries Processed: 21,233 national and international, to date
Inquiries from Primary Markets: 11,981 (56.4%)
- Missouri leads total 14.7% of Primary Market; St. Louis and Kansas City are primary in-state markets;
- Illinois leads total 15.6% of primary market
- Texas leads total 13.1% of primary market
- Florida leads total 8.2% of primary market
- Ohio leads total 8.1% of primary market
- Indiana leads total 7.7% of primary market
International Inquiries: Received 773 inquires with Canada generating 80% of international leads. Ontario generated 35.2% of all Canadian inquiries.
Cost per Inquiry: $1.53
This campaign was funded from Sikeston Lodging Tax receipts with matching funds from the Missouri Division of Tourism Cooperative Marketing Program. |
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UPCOMING TOURISM EVENTS
August 1-30 - Creativity x3 Art Exhibit
Sikeston Depot Museum & Gallery, 116 W. Malone, 573-481-9967, Open Tues.-Sat., 10 AM-4 PM; Enjoy the works of local artists Ann Berbling, Marilyn Schwaninger and Beth Thomas.
www.sikestondepot.org.
Sept. 5-30 - Annual Bootheel Regional Judged Art Show
Sikeston Depot Museum & Gallery, 116 W. Malone, 573-481-9967
Open Tues.-Sat., 10 AM-4 PM; Artists from throughout the region display their best in the largest show of the year. www.sikestondepot.org
August 31-Sept. 1 - Neighbor Days Festival
Fair Grounds, Chester St., Benton, MO 63736 Celebrated since 1925, this festival features carnival rides, parade, mud race, greased pole climb and volleyball tournaments. www.visitsikeston.com
Sept. 8 - Annual Horsepower Festival
8 AM-4 PM, Malone Park, Center St. at Scott St. This isn't your run-of-a-mill car show! More than 20 classes of vehicles competing - cars, trucks, and military vehicles. Call 573-703-4594 to register or obtain additional information. www.visitsikeston.com
Sept. 15 - Fall in Love with Downtown Wine Festival
6-10 PM, Center St. in Downtown Sikeston
Relax and enjoy the very best wines from the region's top wineries. Live music with light hors d'oeuvres complement this outdoor event in Historic Downtown Sikeston. 573-380-3801, www.downtownsikeston.org
Sept. 25-29 - Sikeston Cotton Carnival
Jaycee Rodeo Grounds, 1308 N. Ingram Rd., Sikeston
Thrilling rides, games of skill, music, live entertainment and beauty contests combine to delight the crowd each night. Free parking and admission. 573-471-6362
Sept. 29 - Sikeston Cotton Carnival Parade
10 AM, Route travels west on Malone Avennue from Pine Street ending at the Depot Museum in Downtown Sikeston. 573-471-6362 |
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Sincerely,
Sikeston Convention & Visitors Bureau
128 N. New Madrid St.
Sikeston, MO 63801
573-471-6362 |
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