|
|
Darke County Visitors Bureau
State Tourism
organization recognizes county efforts
DUBLIN, OH (October 11, 2012) – The Darke County Visitors Bureau was
presented with two RUBY (Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance) Citations of
Excellence Awards during the Ohio Travel Association’s annual
Conference on Tourism in Dublin, Ohio on October 11, 2012.
The first award presented to the bureau was in the Visitor Guide
Category, with a budget of less than $300,000.
“It is a huge honor to receive this award since our budget is less than
half of most of our peers in this category,” stated Deanna York,
designer of the guide and executive director of the Darke County
Visitors Bureau.
In designing the Official Visitors Guide for Darke County, two main
objectives were set: 1.) solid messaging that would reflect that Darke
County carries and delivers a spirited, urban-country vibe - keeping
the messages clear, spirited and targeted, and 2.) strong emotional
appeal - use of more imagery and storytelling throughout the guide to
transport readers into the experience and content spoken in the
piece.
“The Official Visitors Guide for Darke County was designed to resemble
the look and feel of a lifestyle magazine. The cover titles invite
readers to open the magazine and discover the urban-country spirit of
Darke County,” stated York, “When developing the layout and feel of the
guide, one of the main ideas was to share the warm hospitality and
smiling faces found in our community.”
The 40,000 copies printed will be distributed over an 18 month period
to individuals interested in discovering all that Darke County has to
offer. The guides will be on display and available at tourist
information centers, attractions, accommodations and restaurants across
the State of Ohio. Local folks are encouraged to stop by the Visitors
Bureau in downtown Greenville to pick up copies for family reunions,
weddings or for visiting friends and family, or visit any one of the
brochure racks located in attractions, accommodations and restaurants
across Darke County. Guides are also available at local festivals and
events, and by calling the bureau at (937) 548-5158 or via email at
info@visitdarkecounty.org. Information and daily updates are also
available on Facebook on the bureau’s fan page, “Darke County Visitors
Bureau.”
The second award presented to the Darke County Visitors Bureau was in
the Website Category, with a budget category of under $300,000.
The objectives of the Darke County website were two-fold: 1.) to share
and present all relevant and important information in the most
appealing manner and 2.) make it as easy as possible for the visitor to
quickly find, search for and retrieve the information to enjoy the
online experience while on the website. Travelers searching for ideas
on day trips, extended stays or relaxing getaway weekends in western
Ohio will find a wealth of information and entertainment thanks to a
redesign of VisitDarkeCounty.org, Darke County’s travel and tourism
website. Visitors will find a comprehensive online photo and video
library showcasing Darke County in fabulous mid-western hospitality and
small town charm. The website boasts a new “searchability” feature for
visitors to browse the county’s extensive database of calendar of
events, dates, and other specific categories of interest; including a
full host of shops, restaurants and accommodations.
“The new website captures the legendary spirit of Darke County and
supports the bureau’s mission to enhance the economic growth of Darke
County through the promotion and development of tourism,” stated Larry
Boos, Chairman of the Darke County Visitors Bureau Board of
Trustees.
The Darke County Visitors Bureau has been a member of The Ohio Travel
Association for 15 years. In addition, Executive Director, Deanna York
served on this state board for 2 terms, and holds the honor of 2011
graduate of the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy.
To learn more about Darke County Tourism, go online to
VisitDarkeCounty.org
|
|
|
|
