A marketing promotion that highlighted Hamilton County as a destination for a weekend getaway earned the Indiana Tourism Association’s “Best Leisure Marketing Campaign” designation at the recent state tourism conference. The spring and fall campaign, targeted to the Chicago market, generated $62 million in visitor spending in the region.
“When we create a marketing campaign, we work to produce images, video and messages that we hope can communicate the amazing things to see and do and strategically layer print, radio, television and social digital ads to share our story,” said Ashley Ledford, HCT’s marketing and promotions director. “This award is recognition for a very successful 2018 campaign.”
Ledford
Hamilton County Tourism’s six-member marketing team works with Three-Sixty Group of Indianapolis as its agency of record. Last year, HCT targeted Chicagoland with the layered campaign that generated $372 of visitor spending for every $1 spent on advertising, the best outcome of any marketing campaign to date.
“We are fortunate to have great cities, attractions and strategic partners – like Three-Sixty Group – that help shape our successful efforts,” Ledford said. “The 2018 results took years of research and testing, but we feel our message is truly on target and we look forward to expanding our efforts in the future.”
The annual tourism conference included 250 tourism leaders from around the state at the new Embassy Suites by Hilton in Plainfield with three days of opportunities to network and attend educational sessions. Awards were presented Tuesday evening to honor tourism organizations for their creativity, innovation and maximization of dollars invested.
For more information on the conference, visit IndianaTourismAssociation.com.
About Hamilton County Tourism
Hamilton County Tourism Inc. is a nonprofit, destination management organization that promotes tourism growth through strategic marketing, hospitality and development initiatives providing hospitality to more than four million visitors to Hamilton County each year.
About Indiana Tourism Association
The Indiana Tourism Association’s mission is advocating the value of tourism in Indiana and supporting the best practices of its members. Established in 1980, the association partners with the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, Association of Indiana Restaurant and Lodging and other statewide associations to support tourism investment and promotion as an economic contributor to the state.