Sarasota County Tourism Receives Boost from Partnership with O's
SARASOTA, Fla., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has seen a significant increase in requests for destination information and visitation from the Mid-Atlantic region, largely due to their continued relationship with the Baltimore Orioles. Over the last three years, inquiries grew 2.2% in 2009, 6.4% in 2010, and 7.3% for 2011 during January through March. The visitor intercept statistics for the same time period show a 44% increase in visitation from 2009 to 2010 and a 6.9% increase from 2010 to 2011.
"The scope and value of the marketing partnership between the Orioles and Sarasota County is unprecedented among Major League Baseball's spring training communities," said Greg Bader, Orioles' communications director. "The numbers indicate that the SCVB's message is resonating with the audiences we are reaching in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond."
This year, the partnership includes promotion of Sarasota County during radio and television broadcasts of spring training games played at Ed Smith Stadium and during all 162 regular season games. Commercials featuring Sarasota County will air during MASN programming, including not only MLB broadcasts but also during the more than 225 live MASN broadcasts of college football, basketball, and lacrosse. SCVB advertising will also be featured year-round on masnsports.com.
The benefits of the partnership also involve promotional opportunities including a presence for Sarasota County at both the Annual Orioles Fan Fest event in Baltimore and at the Greater Baltimore Committee Annual Luncheon, as well as the ability to host travel agents, meeting planners, and media at games in the MASN suite at both Camden Yards and Nationals Park.
Advertising promotional opportunities include SCVB advertising in Orioles Magazine publications, advertisements featured on the back of regular season pocket schedules, special offers for free spring training tickets (courtesy of the Orioles) for Oriole Park at Camden Yards season plan holders, and more. Additionally, at Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles will provide a Visitor Welcome Center in the concourse, which will allow SCVB staff to interact with visitors seeking information about Sarasota County.
The Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau is the sales and marketing organization contracted by the Sarasota County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Sarasota County.
SOURCE Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau
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