BuckeyeLine

Space Still Available at Heartland Travel Showcase in Pittsburgh, Feb. 20 – 22

Heartland Travel Showcase, a regional group tour show for delegates to market Ohio to tour operators, will be in Pittsburgh Feb. 20 – 22, and limited exhibitor space is still available. Register now to participate in prescheduled tour operator appointments and additional networking opportunities. For more information, go to www.heartlandtravelshowcase.com or contact Janet Johnson at jjohnson@heartlandtravelshowcase.com by Dec. 9, 2008

What’s New in 2009?

The Tourism Division Public Relations Office wants to help you promote your area, attraction, lodging facility, restaurant, etc. in 2009. To help us help you, we are asking for information on what’s new in 2009. Please let us know about any new attraction or exhibit openings coming up in the next year, milestone anniversaries, or any unique or interesting tourism opportunities in your area. We will be using the information for an upcoming press release and for suggestions to pitch to the media. If you’re interested in getting the word out about your tourism destination, e-mail your “New in 2009” information to Public Relations Coordinator Jessie Wagner at jessica.wagner@development.ohio.gov by Dec. 15, 2008.

November Advertising Deadlines

Close dates for advertising in the 2009 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events and 2009 Ohio Travel Planner are quickly approaching. To make sure your Ohio tourism attraction, lodging facility, restaurant, etc. is highlighted in Ohio’s official travel publications, contact your Great Lakes Publishing advertising representative today or get in touch with Jillian LaManna, Great Lakes Publishing Advertising Coordinator, jlamanna@ohiomagazine.com or (216) 377-3655.

Advertising close dates:
2009 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events - Nov. 13, 2008
2009 Ohio Travel Planner – Nov. 20, 2008
2009-10 Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events – May 21, 2009

2009 Marketing Assistance Program Guidelines Released, Dec. 1 is Phase I Deadline

The 2009 Marketing Assistance Program is ramping up for another year of helping Ohio tourism entities leverage their marketing dollars to reach new audiences. For those not familiar with MAP, it works essentially like a standard retail co-op. In exchange for businesses and attractions helping to extend the Ohio brand by using the Ohio State of Perfect Balance logo, the Division reimburses participants a percentage of eligible marketing expenses.

For complete program details, including guidelines and online registration forms, visit http://industry.discoverohio.com/media/537/355.pdf and refer to pages 27-34. Questions concerning the program should be directed to Joe Vargo at jvargo@odod.state.oh.us or (614) 644-0786. The deadline to register for Phase I of MAP (for marketing activities that take place between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2009) is Dec. 1, 2008. Applications must be submitted in hard copy by 5 p.m., Dec. 1, 2008 and must be accompanied by a licensing agreement and media plan. Late registration forms will not be considered.

The Division Requests Your 2009 Information!

With 2008 coming to an end, we’ve seen many great celebrations, anniversaries and steps forward in promoting Ohio’s many amazing tourism destinations, and it won’t stop there, either! The Division would love to hear from Industry Members all over the state about what is new in 2009. Whether you have a milestone anniversary approaching or an exciting new exhibit opening, please let us know. We’ll be using the information for an upcoming press release and for suggestions to pitch to the media. If you’re interested in getting the word out about your tourism destination, e-mail your “New in 2009” information to Public Relations Coordinator Jessie Wagner at jessica.wagner@development.ohio.gov by Dec. 15, 2008.

Group Tour Itineraries Deadline Extended to Oct. 15

Convention & Visitor Bureau Group Tour Reminder: If you haven’t already submitted four new experiential group tour itineraries, please do so by Oct. 15 to be included in the 2009 tour promotions. We are seeking at least four group tour itineraries that target the student performance/educational and/or the senior/adult markets. The submission form is accessible online at http://discoverohio.com/edit/login.asp.

Once you log in, select “Itinerary Manager” to begin the process. The collection of itineraries will be used in multiple ways to assist tour planners with packaging Ohio trips, including the group tour section of DiscoverOhio.com (to be re-launched later this winter). For more information, contact Celeste at Celeste.Krolak@development.ohio.gov.

Watch for Publisher E-mail Confirming Spring/Summer Events for Calendar

If you submitted an event by the Sept. 5 deadline to be considered for the printed 2009 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. 13 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 “2009 Ohio Spring/Summer Calendar of Events Verification.” If you do not respond to the audit, your listing may not be considered for inclusion in the printed calendar. If you do not receive an e-mail verification and you have submitted a listing for consideration, please contact Jenny at (216) 377-3653.

Division Publications Advertising Deadlines Upcoming

If you’re interested in advertising opportunities in the Ohio Tourism Division’s travel publications please contact your advertising representative or Jillian LaManna, Great Lakes Publishing Advertising Coordinator, jlamanna@ohiomagazine.com or (216) 377-3655.

Advertising close dates:
2009 Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events - Nov. 13, 2008
2009 Ohio Travel Planner – Nov. 20, 2008
2009-10 Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events – May 21, 2009

SafeLite AutoGlass Partnership Ramps up for 2009

As we shared with you during our recent Town Hall meetings, the Ohio Tourism Division and Safelite AutoGlass have teamed up to create a coupon book containing money-saving or added-value tourism coupons redeemable at various travel destinations throughout Ohio. Now Ohio Travel industry members have the opportunity to reserve space in the coupon book for the 2009 calendar year.

2009 Marketing Assistance Program Guidelines Released, Dec. 1 is Phase I Deadline

The 2009 Marketing Assistance Program is ramping up for another year of helping Ohio tourism entities leverage their marketing dollars to reach new audiences. For those not familiar with MAP, it works essentially like a standard retail co-op. In exchange for businesses and attractions helping to extend the Ohio brand by using the Ohio State of Perfect Balance logo, the Division reimburses participants a percentage of eligible marketing expenses.