By Taylor Hall
OTRD recently launched ECO, Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma, which seeks to promote, encourage and develop sustainable travel practices statewide. The ECO program is a dynamic partnership between the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
As part of this exciting new program, OTRD and DEQ have developed an ECO certification which identifies businesses that have made a commitment to reducing their environmental impact. This certification is open to businesses and organizations throughout the state who wish to implement sustainable practices.
We are currently working with seven pilot programs including the Colcord Hotel, Maple Place Bed and Breakfast, Science Museum Oklahoma, Keystone State Park, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Blackwell Tourism Information Center, and Tulsa’s Polo Grill. These locations have filled out checklists identifying sustainable practices, worked with program leaders to develop an action plan, and implemented “Green teams” to oversee the improvements. OTRD offers continual support to these organizations every step of the way through education, marketing, and consultation throughout the process.
ECO makes certification simple, and OTRD is even offering free workshops throughout the state to provide businesses and organizations with information on this exciting new program. The workshops also provide insight into the marketing components offered through the ECO program, plus additional education about sustainable travel and the efforts going on in the community.
Upcoming workshops will be held in the following communities:
January 12, 2010 Oklahoma City – Science Museum Oklahoma (10 a.m.-noon)
January 27, 2010 Tahlequah – Armory Municipal Center (10 a.m.-noon)
February 9, 2010 Duncan – Simmons Center (10 a.m.-noon)
February 11, 2010 Enid (10 a.m.-noon)
We welcome anyone who is interested to participate in the ECO certification or a free Sustainable Travel workshop. For more information about the ECO program, please contact Jessica Blackstock, Sustainable Initiatives Coordinator, at (405) 230-8415 or Jessica@TravelOK.com.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sign Up Now for November 19th Training Camp!
A few spaces are still available for our next OTRD Training Camp coming up November 19th.
Held four times a year, these full-day sessions provide the chance to meet and interact with OTRD staff, learn about programs and get assistance with specific areas of focus or concern. For your convenience, we will get all the right people together at one time.
Participants meet in our Oklahoma City office and get to know who we are and what we do. Then, you will have access to our staff for individual appointments in the areas of public relations, development, grant funding, online marketing and our director.
Meet with our frontline call center staff and let them know about your community or attraction. Learn how you can work with the Oklahoma Film & Music Office and what special requirements are needed for this industry. You will also have an opportunity to pitch your story to our public relations staff and Discover Oklahoma.
An overview of our newly redesigned website, TravelOK.com, will also be provided and includes ways to maximize your organization's presence on one of the state's premier marketing engines.
For more information about this exciting, interactive program, please contact Barbara Elder at (405) 230-8409 or Barbie@TravelOK.com.
Held four times a year, these full-day sessions provide the chance to meet and interact with OTRD staff, learn about programs and get assistance with specific areas of focus or concern. For your convenience, we will get all the right people together at one time.
Participants meet in our Oklahoma City office and get to know who we are and what we do. Then, you will have access to our staff for individual appointments in the areas of public relations, development, grant funding, online marketing and our director.
Meet with our frontline call center staff and let them know about your community or attraction. Learn how you can work with the Oklahoma Film & Music Office and what special requirements are needed for this industry. You will also have an opportunity to pitch your story to our public relations staff and Discover Oklahoma.
An overview of our newly redesigned website, TravelOK.com, will also be provided and includes ways to maximize your organization's presence on one of the state's premier marketing engines.
For more information about this exciting, interactive program, please contact Barbara Elder at (405) 230-8409 or Barbie@TravelOK.com.
Monday, October 19, 2009
2009 Governor's Conference on Tourism Streaming Online
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is offering industry professionals a unique opportunity to view the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Please join us by tuning in to the new OklaVision.tv on October 19 & 20, where we’ll be streaming video live from the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel.
Coverage begins at 8:45 a.m. Monday with the Conference Welcome and is followed by the Opening Session, which features a message from Governor Brad Henry. All general sessions will be televised live; taped workshop segments will air between the live presentations.
This one-time-only special showing of the Governor’s Conference is a gift brought to you by Oklahoma Tourism and OklaVision in an effort to enable a broader audience to benefit from the information being presented.
To view the broadcast, you will need a high-speed Internet connection and Adobe Flash Player 10 installed on your computer (download it here for free).
When you tune in tomorrow, you’ll experience the unveiling of OklaVision — a state-of-the-art network of vibrant online channels presented by the Chickasaw Nation. It works hand-in-hand with TravelOK.com to provide visitors with the finest travel planning tools in the nation.
OklaVision features live programming five days a week, plus a vast landscape of broadcast content — more than 2,000 videos are available on demand. And it’s all brought to life brilliantly in HD.
OklaVision features live programming five days a week, plus a vast landscape of broadcast content — more than 2,000 videos are available on demand. And it’s all brought to life brilliantly in HD.
We hope you’ll take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to enjoy the 2009 conference.
Coverage begins at 8:45 a.m. Monday with the Conference Welcome and is followed by the Opening Session, which features a message from Governor Brad Henry. All general sessions will be televised live; taped workshop segments will air between the live presentations.
This one-time-only special showing of the Governor’s Conference is a gift brought to you by Oklahoma Tourism and OklaVision in an effort to enable a broader audience to benefit from the information being presented.
To view the broadcast, you will need a high-speed Internet connection and Adobe Flash Player 10 installed on your computer (download it here for free).
When you tune in tomorrow, you’ll experience the unveiling of OklaVision — a state-of-the-art network of vibrant online channels presented by the Chickasaw Nation. It works hand-in-hand with TravelOK.com to provide visitors with the finest travel planning tools in the nation.
OklaVision features live programming five days a week, plus a vast landscape of broadcast content — more than 2,000 videos are available on demand. And it’s all brought to life brilliantly in HD.
OklaVision features live programming five days a week, plus a vast landscape of broadcast content — more than 2,000 videos are available on demand. And it’s all brought to life brilliantly in HD.
We hope you’ll take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to enjoy the 2009 conference.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Register Now for Governor's Conference on Tourism
Please join us at The Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Tourism, October 18-20, 2009 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Cox Convention Center.
During these challenging times our individual and collective success depends on our ability to strategically combine our resources. This year’s conference theme stresses the importance of working together to move our industry forward and will provide inspiration and insight for the actions we need to take.
This is the “don’t miss” event for our industry, featuring two days of workshops, keynote presentations and opportunities to connect with colleagues. (You may even have some fun!) I guarantee you will leave the conference with several ideas you can put into action the minute you return to your office. You will also learn how to take advantage of the hottest trends in the travel and tourism industry.
Workshops and general sessions will cover topics such as using and optimizing social media, finding your personal leadership style, developing tourism initiatives with American Indian tribes in Oklahoma, attracting film projects to your community, writing itineraries that work, engaging value seekers, exceeding customer expectations and more. Click here to see a full schedule and register for the conference.
And, as always, our industry’s all-stars will be honored during the annual Redbud Awards dinner on Monday night.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Reusable Bag Sponsorship Program
OTRD Lime Green Reusable Bag Sponsorship Program
The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department is initiating a “Go Green” Bag program that can get your logo and Web site on 20,000 Reusable Non-woven bags!
Bag Sponsorship entitles all participants to have their logo and web information on 20,000 non-woven tote bags.
* Bag color is Lime Green with Black handles and 1-color Black screen printing.* Cost is only $500 for Regular Logo Placement.
* 24 Sponsorships will be sold – 12 Logos on each side.
* Special Feature - 2 Premium Side Gusset Placement for $1,000 (Only 2 will be sold).
* Bag size is 16” wide x 12” high with a 6” expandable gusset.
* Bags are non-woven, tear-resistant, 90 lbs gsm, polypropylene with reinforced handles that holds 25-30 lbs. Bags are made 100% from recycled plastic bottles and are bio degradable.
* Each side of the bag will be imprinted with 12 sponsors’ logo along with Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department’s information imprinted at top of each side and on side gusset.
* Each side has Design/Art work size of approximately 10 1/2” x 15” of printable area.
* Each Logo area can be up to 3” high x 3 1/2” wide.
* Each Premium Logo area can be up to 2” high x 10” wide, located on the gusset area.
* The Department will compile logo and create design art work.
Bags will be distributed at all Consumer Travel Shows nationwide.
Sign up will begin on Thursday, July 16 at 8 a.m. You may contact Charlie Wallar by faxing your information and sign up level to 405-230-8600.
The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department is initiating a “Go Green” Bag program that can get your logo and Web site on 20,000 Reusable Non-woven bags!
Bag Sponsorship entitles all participants to have their logo and web information on 20,000 non-woven tote bags.
* Bag color is Lime Green with Black handles and 1-color Black screen printing.* Cost is only $500 for Regular Logo Placement.
* 24 Sponsorships will be sold – 12 Logos on each side.
* Special Feature - 2 Premium Side Gusset Placement for $1,000 (Only 2 will be sold).
* Bag size is 16” wide x 12” high with a 6” expandable gusset.
* Bags are non-woven, tear-resistant, 90 lbs gsm, polypropylene with reinforced handles that holds 25-30 lbs. Bags are made 100% from recycled plastic bottles and are bio degradable.
* Each side of the bag will be imprinted with 12 sponsors’ logo along with Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department’s information imprinted at top of each side and on side gusset.
* Each side has Design/Art work size of approximately 10 1/2” x 15” of printable area.
* Each Logo area can be up to 3” high x 3 1/2” wide.
* Each Premium Logo area can be up to 2” high x 10” wide, located on the gusset area.
* The Department will compile logo and create design art work.
Bags will be distributed at all Consumer Travel Shows nationwide.
Sign up will begin on Thursday, July 16 at 8 a.m. You may contact Charlie Wallar by faxing your information and sign up level to 405-230-8600.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
New Consumer Co-op Ad Opportunities
In case you haven't heard, the consumer co-op advertising program for fall and spring is now open. Full details about the placements and deadlines can be found here.
The Co-op advertising program aims to:
• Raise awareness of Oklahoma as a vacation/getaway destination.
• Provide industry partners an opportunity to utilize top media brands and benefit from OTRD negotiations.
• Establish a larger, more impactful presence than could be achieved by any one partner alone.
• Bring a deeper level of multi-media mix to all partners’ advertising plans.
• Proven to increase awareness and conversion.
• Generate leads and responses as the measurement of success.
Changes to Strategy from FY09:
• New for 2010 is more emphasis in the fall, with the traditional magazine co-op program and a fall newspaper insert.
• Also new is a Winter Texan strategy designed to keep them in Oklahoma longer as they pass through our state.
• Online advertising with consumer magazine brands (e.g., Southern Living and Midwest Living), will be made available to partners who request it, and will be negotiated as part of the overall online co-op program but it is not bundled in with a multi-platform program, it’s an à la carte approach for those who want a deeper mix.
Deadlines are quickly approaching, so please contact Barbara Johnston or Ashley Wilson at Ackerman McQueen with questions or to participate. (405)843-7777
The Co-op advertising program aims to:
• Raise awareness of Oklahoma as a vacation/getaway destination.
• Provide industry partners an opportunity to utilize top media brands and benefit from OTRD negotiations.
• Establish a larger, more impactful presence than could be achieved by any one partner alone.
• Bring a deeper level of multi-media mix to all partners’ advertising plans.
• Proven to increase awareness and conversion.
• Generate leads and responses as the measurement of success.
Changes to Strategy from FY09:
• New for 2010 is more emphasis in the fall, with the traditional magazine co-op program and a fall newspaper insert.
• Also new is a Winter Texan strategy designed to keep them in Oklahoma longer as they pass through our state.
• Online advertising with consumer magazine brands (e.g., Southern Living and Midwest Living), will be made available to partners who request it, and will be negotiated as part of the overall online co-op program but it is not bundled in with a multi-platform program, it’s an à la carte approach for those who want a deeper mix.
Deadlines are quickly approaching, so please contact Barbara Johnston or Ashley Wilson at Ackerman McQueen with questions or to participate. (405)843-7777
Monday, June 15, 2009
Name Change for the Travel & Tourism Division
I am happy to announce we are changing from the Travel and Tourism Division to the Travel Promotion Division. Our new name will better communicate the mission and purpose of our division to promote Oklahoma's travel opportunities and better reflect national industry standards for state destination marketing organizations.
With this change, we have also revised some of the section names within our division. All of our staff and contact information remains the same so you can still reach us by the same phone and email addresses.
Travel and Tourism Administration will now be Travel Promotion Administration. This section is responsible for brand management, contract compliance, the administration of the Multicounty matching funds program, division purchasing/budgeting and the AOK merchandising program.
Our Public Relations section will now be Travel Communications and Publications and oversees the the functions of public relations, media relations, social media, industry communications, publications and a variety of special projects and assignments.
Under the Traveler Response Program (TRIP) we will have the following sub-sections:
Interactive Group – Covers all development and maintenance duties related to our Web site TravelOK.com as well as database development and support .
Customer Relations- Covers all duties related to the call center, warehouse and fulfillment program.
The Travel Development section will now be Consumer and Trade Marketing and continue to be responsible for group marketing, consumer travel shows and international marketing.
Destination Development's name will remain the same and will continue to be engaged in community and attraction outreach, heritage and cultural tourism and grant assistance. Destination Development is adding a “Sustainable Initiatives” program to create and implement steps to help our tourism industry become more environmentally friendly. (More about that later!)
Discover Oklahoma TV will also keep the same name and continue to produce our weekly travel program as well as adding some online elements.
Names have not changed for our Tourism Information Centers or the Multicounty Matching Funds Program.
To access a contact list for our Travel Promotion Division, please click here.
With this change, we have also revised some of the section names within our division. All of our staff and contact information remains the same so you can still reach us by the same phone and email addresses.
Travel and Tourism Administration will now be Travel Promotion Administration. This section is responsible for brand management, contract compliance, the administration of the Multicounty matching funds program, division purchasing/budgeting and the AOK merchandising program.
Our Public Relations section will now be Travel Communications and Publications and oversees the the functions of public relations, media relations, social media, industry communications, publications and a variety of special projects and assignments.
Under the Traveler Response Program (TRIP) we will have the following sub-sections:
Interactive Group – Covers all development and maintenance duties related to our Web site TravelOK.com as well as database development and support .
Customer Relations- Covers all duties related to the call center, warehouse and fulfillment program.
The Travel Development section will now be Consumer and Trade Marketing and continue to be responsible for group marketing, consumer travel shows and international marketing.
Destination Development's name will remain the same and will continue to be engaged in community and attraction outreach, heritage and cultural tourism and grant assistance. Destination Development is adding a “Sustainable Initiatives” program to create and implement steps to help our tourism industry become more environmentally friendly. (More about that later!)
Discover Oklahoma TV will also keep the same name and continue to produce our weekly travel program as well as adding some online elements.
Names have not changed for our Tourism Information Centers or the Multicounty Matching Funds Program.
To access a contact list for our Travel Promotion Division, please click here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
