Partner News March 2011

FingerLakes.org: A “Winning” Website

Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance has been recognized by two different organizations for its redesigned website. 

FingerLakes.org took the Bronze Medal overall in the Rochester Business Journal’s 2011 Best of Web Awards on March 8. It was also awarded top honors in its Hospitality/Tourism category. The Best of Web Awards are presented to acknowledge Rochester’s finest business websites. With 33 finalists in 11 categories being honored based on the nature of the business, a panel of judges was selected to choose the websites they felt should receive recognition for their success.

FingerLakes.org was also recognized the week prior, when Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance was awarded with The New York State Travel and Vacation Association Tourism Excellence Award for its website redesign in the “Visitor Service” category. This category recognizes tourism entities that have “gone the extra mile” to serve visitors. Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance President Cindy Kimble accepted the honor at The Empire State Tourism Conference, which was held in Albany from March 1-3.

The revamped FingerLakes.org was launched in April 2010 in cooperation with county tourism promotion agencies. Rochester-based interactive marketing agency Corporate Communications designed the site. New website features include an interactive map of the region, photo/video galleries, a search tool, and a customizable trip planner. The renovated FingerLakes.org is more attractive, easier to navigate, and more user-friendly than its previous incarnation. FingerLakes.org has been operated by Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance since 1998.

“Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance has worked hard to make FingerLakes.org informative to visitors and useful to our many tourism partners,” said Kimble. “We are proud to see the site being recognized.”

 

Where in the World is FLTA? Consumer Show Update

First quarter has been very busy for Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance as we gear up for a great spring and summer! Read on for an overview of where we’ve been and where we’re headed, including a few new announcements.

Where We’ve Been

Wilkes Barre, PA: AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Expo

Philadelphia, PA: AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Expo

Edison, NJ: New Jersey Flower & Garden Show

Detroit, MI: Heartland Travel Showcase

Albany, NY: Empire State Tourism Conference

Foxboro, MA: AAA Travel Marketplace

Baltimore, MD: AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Expo

Where We’re Going

Ottawa, ON: Ottawa Women’s Show (Brochure Distribution available for $200)

Toronto, ON: Toronto Women’s Show (Booth Sponsorship available for $1,000, Brochure Distribution available for $300)

*NEW London, ON: London Travel & Recreation Show (Booth Sponsorship available for $300, Brochure Distribution available for $200)

Please contact Director of Sales Mark Illig at marki@fingerlakes.org if you are interested in any booth sponsorship or brochure distribution opportunities.

 

Promote Your Business on FingerLakes.org

Looking for low-cost, high-impact exposure this spring? Look no further than FingerLakes.org. FingerLakes.org receives up to 70,000 unique visitors/month during the spring and summer. In addition to the many web benefits that come with an FLTA partnership, banner ads and tile ads are available for as little as $150/month.

Web ads are a great way to reach potential visitors while they are seeking information. If you are interested in learning more or signing up, please contact Director of Sales Mark Illig at marki@fingerlakes.org.

FLTA Announces Partner Referral Program

In an effort to thank existing partners for positive word-of-mouth, FLTA is offering a referral discount for 2012 partnership fees.

For each new partner you or your business refers to FLTA, you will get $25 off your partnership fee. You can receive $25 per partner until you reach the $325 mark (in essence covering your entire partnership cost). Any questions about the program can be sent to Director of Sales Mark Illig at marki@fingerlakes.org.

When the new partner sends in their sign up form, simply place your business name on the “Referred By” line. If you are interested, please click below to download the sign up form. 

Send Us Your Spring Events!

Do you have a great event coming up this spring? If so, please send event name, date/time, location, brief description, and a URL with more information to Marketing Coordinator Sarah Osterling at saraho@fingerlakes.org. Events will be posted on FingerLakes.org and may be used in a regional press release.