DISTRICT UPDATES
Fall Major Event Calendar now available
The Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) has released its updated Major Events in Mystic Country online magazine (issuu.com/mysticcountryct) for the fall season. The information piece will be updated again for the 2015 holiday season. If you have a major holiday event* not currently listed in the calendar, please email it torita@mysticcountry.com before Monday, October 19.
For consideration in the 2016 Major Event’s calendar, please email your 2016 events by Monday, November 9.
*Event that draws 1,000 people or more.
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
Partner with the ERTD/Mystic Country for special rates in the 2016 Connecticut State Visitors Guide
The State of Connecticut is moving to the next generation of travel guides. The Seasonal Connecticut Visitors Guides will be published twice a year. The Spring and Fall guides will merge the best of the Connecticut Official Visitors Guide and the Connecticut Getaway Guides to create a powerful storytelling magazine.
Note: one important change will be the absence of individual business listings in these publications. The format will be an all-editorial format featuring stories designed to entice visitors to Connecticut. Lead generation will continue with Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country processing the fulfillment requests.
Advertising becomes more important if you want to assure that your business receives exposure. ERTD/Mystic Country is able to offer special reduced rates to businesses wanting to partner in advertising. Click here to view special rates available only through the Eastern Regional Tourism District. Space is limited.
________________________________________
Request for Door Prizes, Silent Auction Items and Promotional Items
The Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country continues to represent eastern Connecticut at a variety of trade shows. Click here for the schedule for the remainder of the 2015/16 fiscal year.
Getaway Packages: Two of the largest domestic shows, ABA (American Bus Association) and NTA (National Tour Association), offer major Silent Auctions during their marketplaces to help their Foundations and those of the tourism industry, such as Tourism Cares. Mystic Country will attend and have a booth at both trade shows. We also will be supporting the Silent Auctions with Getaway Packages that are popular with attendees and bidders. We need certificates for overnight rooms, attraction passes, restaurant gift cards, discount coupons for shopping and gift items to create great packages. Please contact Janice at jputnam@mysticcountry.com with your donations.
Promotional Items: It’s a fact – trade show attendees are attracted by giveaways and they create vitality for the booth. Do you have a unique, fun item you would like to distribute along with your brochures at the Mystic Country booth? It’s a great way to put the name of your business in front of travel decision makers. Contact Janice (jputnam@mysticcountry.com) if you have promotional items you’d like the District to distribute.
TOURISM RESEARCH & STATISTICS
Connecticut’s New VISION Attraction Index
The Connecticut Office of Tourism announced it’s new VISION Index, a benchmark of tourism activity in the state. A diverse panel of 23 attractions participated in tracking attendance of an estimated 6.4 million leisure travelers from greater metro New York, Boston, Providence, Philadelphia and Connecticut. Witan Intelligence, a Connecticut based marketing and research and strategy firm, is compiling the statistics and identifying trends. Reports will be posted monthly. Click here for the latest reports.
REGIONAL UPDATES
The Last Green Valley (TLGV) has released its fun-filled Walktober brochure in honor of its 25th year of providing amazing autumn activities. This issue outlines 190 unique guided walks, strolls, hikes, bike rides, paddles, tastes, sips, and events. The brochure is full-color and is FREE. To received a copy(ies) call 860-774-3300 or email mail@tlgv.org. You can download a PDF from the website – www.thelastgreenvalley.org.