BuckeyeLine

2010 Ohio Travel Planner Now Available

The 2010 Ohio Travel Planner, Ohio's official travel guide, is now available for bulk distribution. Quantities of the Travel Planner and 2010 Spring/Summer Calendar of Events may be ordered online.

The free, full-color, 164-page, 2010 Ohio Travel Planner features more than 3,000 listings of attractions, recreation, shopping, dinning, visitor services and lodging, organized by the state’s five travel regions. Each regional listing section begins with a detail mapped. An electronic copy of the Travel Planner is available by clicking here, or click here for the spring/summer Calendar of Events.

Listings featured in the planner were created using data from the DiscoverOhio.com/Buckeye Database. All Ohio travel entities are invited to submit listings, free of charge, to the Buckeye Database to be included in future issues of the Travel Planner. Information also was supplied by the Ohio Bed and Breakfast Association, the Ohio Campground Owners Association, the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association, the Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association, the Ohio Restaurant Association, and the Ohio Wine Producers Association.

NEW! Mobile Web Development Partnership – DiscoverOhio.mobi

DiscoverOhio.com is going mobile and so can you! Are you sure you know the difference between a mobile enabled Web site and a .mobi Web site? If not, we encourage you to click on the link below to make sure you are as informed as possible. Once you know your mobile from your .mobi, check out a dynamic new partnership opportunity from the Ohio Tourism Division and ITI Marketing. The Division is working with ITI to create a .mobi site for DiscoverOhio.com and, as a result, you can take advantage of a variety of options from an enhanced listing for better visibility to a discounted price to create your own customized mobile Web pages or a full mobile Web site.

As the proportion of travelers using smart phones while traveling continues to grow exponentially, it is more important than ever to provide these consumers with a more mobile-friendly Web experience. Research shows that mobile Web users prefer easy access to detailed listing information over a rich graphic experience, so the Ohio Mobile Travel Guide will cut right to the chase. With a clean interface light on graphics, potential travelers will be able to find information about Ohio attractions, dining, lodging, events, etc. Pulling from the Buckeye Database, active listings on DiscoverOhio.com will have a presence on the mobile site. For details on the program and pricing, click here, or contact Franci Edgerly with ITI Marketing at franci@iti-marketing.com or (912) 267-1558.

Heartland Travel Showcase a Great Success!

The Heartland Travel Showcase returned to the Buckeye State for its 25th anniversary, Feb. 19 – 21, and State Tourism Director Amir Eylon and Public Relations Coordinator Jessie Wagner were thrilled to be part of more than 120 Ohio delegates promoting our state to more than 130 tour companies.

The Heartland Travel Showcase event kicked off on Friday, Feb. 19 at COSI, where 700 attendees from Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylvania enjoyed a number of fun activities and a wide selection of foods from dozens of Ohio restaurants. Welcoming attendees were First Lady Frances Strickland, Jack Hanna and exotic animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and historical re-enactors from the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Historical Society. Ohio had the largest delegation present. Many thanks to Experience Columbus for hosting this year’s event!

On Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21, more than 100 Ohio booths welcomed tour operators from all over the country and pitched their experiential tours, hotel packages and group-friendly events.

As a result of all the partnerships and great teamwork from the Industry, the tour operators were able to leave Columbus with a strong awareness of Ohio’s group tour product and the Industry’s appreciation for their business. Congratulations to Ohio’s group tour delegates and sponsors for a successful Heartland Travel Showcase in Ohio!

Ohio Tourism Month Special Announcement Forthcoming

Please watch for a Special BuckeyeLine this month detailing Ohio Tourism Month marketing participation opportunities along with information on Multicultural Tourism Day. The Division is in the final stages of developing an Ohio Tourism Month strategy that will take us on the road, utilize social media and promote Ohio tourism packages and travel incentives in Ohio and surrounding states.

2010 S/S Ohio Calendar of Events Now Available

The new 2010 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events are in and making us all eager for spring, and bulk quantities of the calendar are available.

Initial bulk orders will be limited to one box (100 quantity) of calendars through mid-March to allow us sufficient time to fulfill a majority of consumer requests before resuming fulfillment of bulk orders.

Bulk quantities of the free 2010 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events can be ordered online. 

New York Media Mission Rich with Opportunities

Ohio stormed the Big Apple media scene this year with representatives from six Tourism Industry partners including: Jennifer Burns, Warren County CVB; Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Positively Cleveland; Scott Peacock, Experience Columbus; Susan Fryer, Greater Licking County CVB, Christy Eckstein, Ohio Grape Growers Council; Mary Szymkowiak, Dublin CVB; Ann Marcum, Fahlgren Mortine PR; and Tamara Brown, Ohio Tourism Division. Many thanks to this group for their outstanding promotion of the entire state!

This year, in addition to the travel-specific and women’s service publications we have targeted in the past, we added meetings with a couple of male-focused publications, in-flight magazines and a publication aimed at the very high-end traveler. We learned a lot about these “new” publications and became acquainted with some new contacts at publications we know and love. Our appointment schedule included: MyMidwest (in-flight magazine of Midwest Airlines), GO (in-flight magazine of Air Tran Airlines), Parents magazine, Budget Travel, Country Living, Maxim, Family Circle, Elite Traveler, American Baby, Field & Stream, Working Mother and Fodors.com.

It was encouraging to hear that the in-flight publications have some upcoming Ohio stories in their editorial calendars, and there were only a couple of contacts that were not at all familiar with the Buckeye State, so perhaps we’re making progress. We’ll be reaching out to partners for additional information and images as we follow up on our media contacts’ interests.

The accompanying picture is from our national media splash on The Today Show! It was worth braving the cold temperature and snow to shake Al Roker’s hand and get our O-H-I-O signage in front of a national audience. Al is just like some of the other media representatives we met on this mission – a person may move out of Ohio, but they are still Buckeyes at heart!

(Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Burns, Warren County CVB; Scott Peacock, Experience Columbus; Tammy Brown, Ohio Tourism Division; Christy Eckstein, Ohio Grape Industries Council; Ann Marcum, Fahlren Mortine Public Relations; Susan Fryer, Greater Licking County CVB; Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Positively Cleveland)

DiscoverOhio.com Buckeye Database

On Jan. 7, the Division launched Phase I of our Web site User Enhancements project designed to provide database users with a better online experience. As some of you are aware, we have experienced some minor challenges with the Buckeye Database during this initial launch, and we thank you for your patience while we iron out any remaining issues. The following improvements will make it easier for Industry members to manage your listings.

After listening to user feedback on the Buckeye Database, we made several enhancements to this section of the Industry site to provide you with a streamlined process for entering and editing events and attraction information. These changes include:
• Manage Groups: Many of our partners have several staff members assigned to handle their listings. Our improved Manage Groups feature allows the person who creates and updates their entity’s listing to generate sub-accounts for others in their organization to also manage that information.
• Import/Export: Some Industry members enter information on numerous listings that can be used in places other than the DiscoverOhio.com/Buckeye Database. With the new Import/Export feature, users can export their listings, edit them outside the DiscoverOhio.com/Buckeye database and upload the information in a batch process.
• Auto Search Feature: This new feature alerts you if another attraction or event with the same name is already listed in the system, and will help reduce the number of duplicate listings on DiscoverOhio.com.

We also consolidated the majority of the required listing information into one tab on the submission form with expandable/collapsible boxes. These additional changes include:
• Streamlined hours of operation entry
• GPS location
• Improved text editor for descriptions
• Improved submission process
• Implementation of a terms of service agreement

We invite you to check out a video review of the enhanced submission form that includes tips on how to use the new tools. The video is available at http://Industry.discoverohio.com/media/5/335.swf.

The Division is excited to continue to roll out the new enhancements to both the consumer and Industry Web sites. We strive to offer you the best possible experience in managing your listings, while providing consumers with a visually attractive experience as they search for their next great Ohio getaway. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your experience with the enhanced Web site, please contact Eric Herzog at eric.herzog@development.ohio.gov or Roger Barker at roger.barker@development.ohio.gov.

Ohio Gears up for Heartland

Ninety-nine Ohio group tour exhibitors are getting ready for the 25th Annual Heartland Travel Showcase, Feb. 19 – 21, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Nearly 700 attendees from Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylvania are expected to attend. Ohio will have the largest delegation present—kudos to Experience Columbus for hosting this year’s event! Additional Ohio highlights include FAM tours sponsored by Lake Erie Shores and Islands, Licking County, Columbus and Holmes County. For more information on Heartland Travel Showcase, visit www.ohiotravel.org/heartland.html.

2010 Travel Publications Coming Mid-February!

The 2009 Ohio Travel Planner (400,000 qty.) and the 2009-10 Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events (50,000 qty.) have all been distributed through bulk and consumer request networks. The Division is now referring anyone who requests a publication to the online versions available on DiscoverOhio.com or by clicking here. The 2010 Ohio Travel Planner and 2010 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar will be available in mid-February 2010.

New OHS Partnerships, Leadership for 2010

It has been a challenging year for many of us in the tourism Industry, however, one of the biggest challenge/success stories of 2009 has to be the Ohio Historical Society. Faced with serious funding cutbacks, the society has successfully forged new relationships with local groups to manage the daily operations of 45 of the society’s 58 historic sites and museums. Not only has working with local community organizations kept these historic sites intact and open for visitors, but in many cases, local management has resulted in increased hours of operation for visitors. Please help us spread the word that these amazing sites are open for business and will continue to preserve our history and educate and delight visitors. For additional information about specific OHS historic sites or museums, please visit www.ohiohistory.org/places.

In addition to new business models and partnerships heading into 2010 (and its 125th anniversary), the Ohio Historical Society also has found the individual they feel is best suited to lead the organization through these challenging times and beyond. Please join us in welcoming Burt Logan, new executive director and CEO of the Ohio Historical Society. Logan comes to OHS after serving 14 years as president of the USS Constitution Museum in Boston. During his tenure at the USS Constitution Museum, he structured the museum’s $3-million budget to come from earned income and development efforts; he raised $15 million for capital and special projects; and he increased the museum’s net worth from $2.1 to $8.3 million. For these accomplishments, he garnered the National Award for Museum Service from the American Association of Museums Accreditation Commission.

Industry Member to Receive Gov.’s Award for Arts

Congratulations are in order for Donna Sue Groves, one of the original founders of the Adams County Quilt Barn Project. On April 21, 2010, Donna Sue will be awarded the Governor's Award for the Arts for her role in creating the project and for her leadership in the community, which is part of the Tourism Industry’s Appalachian region. The Tourism Division thanks you, Donna Sue, for your continued support of Ohio’s Appalachian region and the Ohio Tourism Industry!

Meredith Publishing Enjoys Taste of Ohio

Great food was consumed, outstanding story ideas were shared and many new media relationships began during the Ohio Media Mission to Meredith Publishing on Nov. 18 in Des Moines, Iowa. Based on the abundant smiles and laughter throughout our meetings, it probably appeared to outsiders that we had all known each other for years as opposed to 10 members of Ohio’s Tourism Industry meeting Meredith editors and writers for the first time. Our group had the great pleasure of getting acquainted with media representing Parents magazine, Parents.com, Ladies’ Home Journal, Family Circle, Midwest Living, Successful Farming, Living the Country Life (radio writer) and Better Homes & Gardens.

Ohio Travel Industry representatives bonded with the Meredith editors over foods/recipes from the Meredith kitchens/publications and our own Taste of Ohio. What better way to start a conversation than, “Have you tried this?”

Our incredible Taste of Ohio included: Jeni’s ice cream, Esther Price Chocolates, Chef’s Garden vegetables, Wendy Kromer cookies, wines from Breitenbach Winery, smoked pheasant from Hideaway Country Inn, Pistacia Vera cookies, Wyandot snacks, Swiss cheese from Broad Run Cheese House, Taste of Belgium Waffles, Mike-sells’ Potato Chips, ice wine from Chalet Debonne, buckeyes from John Eagle Chocolates and goat cheese spread from Lake Erie Creamery and MacKenzie’s Creamery.

The visit was topped off with a tour of the Meredith facility including their test kitchens, photography studios, tasting room, food pantry, the wood working area and more. Many thanks to all of our partners who shared Ohio’s Tourism Stories and a Taste of Ohio!

(Photo caption: Top row, from left to right—Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Positively Cleveland; Tamara Brown, Ohio Tourism Division; Dee Grossman, Tuscarawas County CVB; Joan Van Offeren, Lake Erie Shores and Islands; Jennifer Burns, Warren County CVB. Bottom row, from left to right—Bev Rose, Dayton/Montgomery County CVB; Scott Peacock, Experience Columbus; Deborah Miller, Hideaway Country Inn; Leslie Holbrook, Fahlgren Mortine PR; and Karen Raymore, Hocking Hills Tourism Association.)

Order the Ohio Travel Planner

A limited number of the 2009 Ohio Travel Planner is still available in bulk quantities through the Industry Web site. This is a great time to check your stock and make sure your brochure racks are full for the holidays before the 2010 Ohio Travel Planner arrives in February.

Division Bids Farewell to Intern Dan Pressly

After three months, Dan Pressly, the Division marketing office intern, is headed back to Kent State University to complete his studies in marketing and business administration. Dan has done an excellent job working on the Division’s e-newsletters, approving database listings and lending assistance to the entire team. Dan has been working with us three days a week and spending the other two days in workshops experiencing various branches and departments of Ohio Government as part of KSU’s Columbus Program in Intergovernmental Issues. We wish Dan the best of luck in his future studies and career!

Division Requests BuckeyeLine Feedback

It has been a while since we asked for your feedback on the monthly BuckeyeLine Tourism Industry e-newsletter. Since this is our primary vehicle for disseminating new, important information and Division program deadlines, we respectfully ask for just a moment of your time to tell us what is working and, perhaps more importantly, what isn’t. Thank you in advance for your feedback and suggestions. Your input will help us better serve you! Please click here to take the survey by November 12.

myOhio Now Live on DiscoverOhio.com

If you haven’t looked at the DiscoverOhio.com home page lately, you will notice a new addition down the right-hand side of the page called “myOhio.” MyOhio is an exciting new content-sharing opportunity for consumers on DiscoverOhio.com, and it is ready to be filled with exciting, experiential content.

At myOhio, visitors can share stories of their Ohio travels by posting photos and videos uploaded directly from their computers or by linking to content from their Flickr and YouTube accounts. It's quick and easy, a great way to share their memories of Ohio getaways and perfect for posting travel suggestions for others to enjoy.

You know Ohio better than anyone, and most likely have plenty of stories to share. So show the world just how awesome your Ohio really is. And of course, encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Visit www.DiscoverOhio.com and look for the myOhio link on the bottom-right corner of the page. We look forward to seeing your Ohio stories on myOhio soon. If you have any questions, please contact Roger Barker at roger.barker@development.ohio.gov or (614) 466-5158, or Eric Herzog at eric.herzog@development.ohio.gov or (614) 466-0338.

Division Staffer Moves On; New Division Group Tour Named

After 14 years of service to Ohio’s Group Tour market and the Ohio Tourism Division, Celeste Krolak, Group Tour Marketing Specialist, has transferred to a position within the Community Development Division of the Ohio Department of Development. Celeste and her dedication to promoting Ohio’s Group Tour market will be missed. While we are saddened by her departure, we are excited for her as she moves forward. Many thanks to Celeste for all of her hard work and service to Ohio’s Tourism Industry.

To maintain the Division’s group tour commitments and keep the lines of information flowing, Jessie Wagner, public relations coordinator, will be the primary contact for Group Tour effective Nov. 9. Please feel free to introduce yourself and send any future Group Tour news or requests to Jessie at jessie.wagner@development.ohio.gov or (614) 466-3734.

Ohio Industry Heads to Des Moines for Nov. 18 Media Mission

We have two spots available for an Ohio Tourism Industry members interested in joining the Nov. 18 media mission to Meredith Publications. The eight Ohio tourism entities signed on to travel to Des Moines so far represent: Warren County CVB, Dayton/Montgomery Co. CVB, Hide Away Country Inn, Experience Columbus, Tuscarawas Co. CVB, Hocking Hills Tourism Association, Lake Erie Shores & Islands and Positively Cleveland. We are awaiting R.S.V.P.s from Meredith’s wide variety of publication editors and writers to confirm meetings. Meredith Publications include: Midwest Living, Better Homes and Gardens, More, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Successful Farming, Parents, Living the Country Life and more.

There is no cost to join the mission. The only costs involved are for your travel, lodging and meals. Anyone interested in attending the mission can contact Tamara Brown at tamara.brown@development.ohio.gov or (614) 466-8591.

Watch for E-mail Confirming S/S Events for Calendar

If you submitted an event by the Sept. 4 deadline to be considered for the printed 2010 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events, the next step is for the publisher, Great Lakes Publishing, to contact you. You can expect an e-mail the week of Oct. 12 asking you to verify that your listing is accurate before it is printed in the calendar. The e-mail will come from Webmaster@glpublishing.com, and the subject line will be “2010 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events Verification.” If you do not respond to the audit, your listing will not be considered for inclusion in the printed calendar.

The calendar will cover events that take place between March and August 2010. Due to space limitations, it is possible that not all events submitted and approved will appear in the printed calendar, however, all approved events will be available on DiscoverOhio.com.

If you’re interested in advertising opportunities in the calendar please contact your advertising representative or Jillian LaManna, Great Lakes Publishing Advertising Coordinator, jlamanna@ohiomagazine.com or (216) 377-3655. The ad close date is Nov. 12.

Order the Ohio Travel Planner

The 2009 Ohio Travel Planner is still available in bulk quantities through the Industry Web site. This is a great time to check your stock and make sure your brochure racks are full for the holidays.