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Leisure Marketing
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One of the MCCVB's most active areas, leisure marketing targets the individual traveler through various means including destination advertising, cooperative programs, national and regional promotions, and travel media.
Destination Advertising�The FY 2004-05 MCCVB advertising campaign included targeted placements in VIA, Sunset, 7x7, and American Express publications (Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure Golf, Travel + Leisure Family, Departures and Food and Wine. As an added-value component with the American Express advertising buy, the bureau is coordinating more than $450,000 worth of direct mailings, email blasts and in-magazine promotions. The MCCVB continues to partner with regional stations for radio promotions, and is also moving forward with search engine optimization projects, website improvement, and an internet advertising campaign.
Cooperative Programs and Promotions�MCCVB off-season programs were expanded in 2004-05, to include not only the annual Holiday Bounty promotion (www.holidaybounty.com), but also the new Monterey's Wild For Nature (www.wildfornature.com) and Girls' Goodlife Getaway (www.goodlifegetaway.com). These programs are designed to drive business when bureau members need it most, and target a variety of niche audiences. The bureau also coordinates print co-op spreads in targeted magazines and tourism publications, as well as radio trade promotions throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley. In FY 04-05, print co-ops have run in the and VIA; radio promotions have run in San Jose, Merced, Sacramento and Modesto.
National and Regional Promotions�The MCCVB explores opportunities to increase awareness of the county by partnering with the California Travel and Tourism Commission and other regional, national and international organizations. Recent promotional partnerships include Albertson's grocery stores, Sunkist, Kleenex, Europe Mastercard, Jelly Belly and Preferred Alberta Liqour Stores. Contact the MCCVB for more information.
Travel Media�The MCCVB Communications Department actively promotes Monterey County to travel journalists, producers, and electronic media, both in the U.S. and worldwide. During fiscal year 2004-05, the bureau assisted 578 journalists (including 115 who visited), and assisted with 324 published articles worth $6,808,647 in advertising value.
Staff Contacts:
John McMahon, Executive Director, [email protected]
Jennifer Filice, Director of Marketing, [email protected]
Shannon Marshall, Director of Communications, [email protected]
Nat Rojanasathira, Marketing Coordinator, [email protected]
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Internet
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The MCCVB website, www.montereyinfo.org, provides information to prospective visitors, meeting planners, media representatives and MCCVB members. From events calendars to travel planner request and online reservations forms, and from press kit information to member announcements, this comprehensive site is a resource for nearly anyone interested in Monterey County. In addition, click through to view regular CVB e-newsletters:
What�s New (sent quarterly to journalists)
Monterey County E-News (sent monthly to nearly 18,000 potential visitors)
Member Link (monthly member newsletter)
MCCVB members can also promote their business through monthly E-specials, a quick and affordable way to reach 10,000 subscribers. Simply put together a special discount or promotion, upload an image and copy, and pay online by credit card � promotions are then sent in an email with up to nine other offers. For more information, or to send out an E-special, please click here.
Staff Contacts:
Jennifer Filice, Director of Marketing [email protected]
Nat Rojanasathira, Marketing Coordinator [email protected]
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Group Sales and Services
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The MCCVB can assist all sizes and types of groups (corporate, association, incentive and more) looking to book meetings in Monterey County. Group sales staff process leads for groups requiring ten guest rooms or more, and they send leads to member hotels and properties who can then bid to host meetings and events. The MCCVB also coordinates a number of other group services, including housing assistance, collateral materials, spouse programs and more.
Recent group sales efforts include a June 2005 sales blitz and luncheon in Denver, a meeting planner familiarization tour in March, and participation in the May Sunset Travel Show.
Staff Contacts:
Kathryn Carlton, Director of Sales, [email protected]
Stephanie Turman, Guest Service Manager, [email protected]
*Housing Inquiries: Stephanie Turman, Membership and Conference Services Manager, [email protected]
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Membership
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Members of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau are the true "customers" of the organization. MCCVB programs are designed to bring and increase business to our members. Member benefit highlights include free listing in the annual travel & meeting planner, a link on the MCCVB website, access to the convention calendar, media and advertising exposure, and more.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Turman, Guest Service Manager, [email protected]
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Visitor Services
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The MCCVB operates two visitors centers, located at Lake El Estero in Monterey and in the MCCVB offices at 150 Olivier Street. The El Estero site is staffed seven days a week by trained Visitor Information Specialists; the MCCVB office site is open 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. MCCVB members may post their materials at the CVB offices site; members and any business located in a city that financially funds the El Estero Visitors Center may post information there.
Staff Contacts:
Karin Radford, El Estero Visitors Center Manager, no email; please phone 657-6400 for details.
The MCCVB also operates a call center that provides telephone support to inquiring visitors. Two toll-free lines (877-Monterey and 800-221-1010) are answered by Visitor Information Specialists who can provide up-to-date information on hotel availability, current events, weather and more.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Turman, Membership & Conference Services Manager, [email protected]
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Granting
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The MCCVB administers a grant program each year which funds various organizations and events designed to draw visitors from outside of Monterey County. Because of budget changes, the annual grant program for local events has been suspended in fiscal year 2004-05; it will be reinstated when funding is available.
Staff Contact:
Nat Rojanasathira, Marketing Communications Coordinator, [email protected]
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