Dana Huber accepts the John H. Minta Award from past president Mark Bliss (left) and executive director Jim Epperson.
Nearly 60 tourism professionals gathered for the annual meeting of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau. The Bureau distributed its 2014 Annual Report at the luncheon meeting, which was held at Lakeside Reflections in Jeffersonville on Wednesday, March 18.
Executive Director Jim Epperson introduced the 2015 Board of Managers including new member, Rick Lovan, who was appointed by Jeffersonville Mayor, Mike Moore. Past President Mark Bliss thanked members of the Bureau’s 2014 Board of Managers for their service and thanked Nancy Kraft, who retired in 2014. Click to view a complete list of the current Board of Managers.
Bliss also presented the John H. Minta Award to Dana Huber, VP of Marketing & Distribution for Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyard. Huber accepted the award on behalf of the business and her entire family. Jack Vissing, the Bureau’s attorney, installed the Board of Managers’ 2015 officers, which includes Ed Haire, President; Cindy Knopp, Vice-President; Tony Singleton, Secretary; and Carlene Bottorff, Treasurer.
Epperson highlighted the Bureau’s 2014 accomplishments in a presentation to attendees. It included the addition of new staff members, who are tasked with carrying out the Bureau’s goals to increase the number of out-of-town visitors who come to Clark and Floyd Counties. He also reviewed the Bureau’s sales, marketing, and communications accomplishments.
2014 Highlights Include:
Leisure Travel Marketing
- Website – more than 35,000 unique visits
- Publications – 40,000 visitor guides distributed
- E-Newsletters – 13,408 distributed with a 23.5% open rate
- Social media
- Facebook: from 615 to 7,976 likes
- Twitter – 188 followers
- YouTube – 1,925 Views
- Media Relations – more than 300 million impressions with an ad value equivalency of more than $500,000
Group Tour Marketing
- 299 Leads
- 12,558 Potential Visitors
- $2.29 million in potential economic impact
Sports Tourism Development
Clark and Floyd Counties has or will have a critical mass of sports facilities (soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball). How do we fill hotels and restaurants with sports teams? 2 Cities + 1 Town + County Parks + Non-profit + For Profit = Critical Mass of Sports Facilities Partnerships are essential to this equation. The Bureau will continue to keep its eye on the ball in this market segment. The complete 2014 Annual Report is available. If you would like a copy of the Annual Report, please visit our offices or view the Annual Report online.