Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/715764
10 Tourism Winnipeg | 2017 Destination Marketing Plan & Partnership Opportunities In 2016, Tourism Winnipeg continued to partner with priceline. com to offer an online hotel booking system, conducted frontline training and visitor information presentations to 33 hotels, attractions and industry partners; organized two frontline familiarization tours for a cumulative total of 75 attendees, sent weekly "What's Happening in Winnipeg this Week" emails, and staffed visitor information booths for five citywide conventions. Tourism Winnipeg distributed more than 200,000 tourism publications and responded to live chats, online visitor enquiries, and in-person travel counseling. Tourism Winnipeg also promoted leisure travel to Winnipeg at the Red Hawks vs. Goldeyes baseball game in Fargo and the Grand Cities Arts Fest in Grand Forks. INTEGRATED MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Tourism Winnipeg produces and distributes collateral that enhances the perception of Winnipeg and motivates travel to the city. Tourism Winnipeg continues to improve its web strategy and also uses traditional advertising and social media marketing to generate interest for Winnipeg. In 2016, Tourism Winnipeg produced the Visitors' Guide, Events Guides, Winnipeg maps, Winnipeg lure brochure, a Factoids brochure, distributed monthly leisure e-newsletters, launched a photo contest, a Pinterest contest, conducted a winter leisure advertising campaign, a Google adwords digital advertising campaign, a spring break packages and deals promotion and a direct mail flyer targeting 30,000 households in Grand Forks and Fargo. Tourism Winnipeg also incorporated user-generated content to increase stakeholder photos on tourismwinnipeg.com. Tourism Winnipeg increased social media advertising and increased engagement across all platforms through contesting, Facebook boosted posts, Instagram walks, Pinterest boards, Only in the Peg and Peg City Grub Culinary blog posts. COMMUNITY RELATIONS Tourism Winnipeg continues to enhance community relations initiatives to improve visitor experiences and the cohesion of the tourism industry through community engagement and workforce development. In 2016, Tourism Winnipeg celebrated National Tourism Week (May 30 - June 3) through television features of the Grade 5/6 class of Brock Corydon School's tourism in Winnipeg project, a welcome at the airport by Winnipeg mascots; a Bring it Home Awards luncheon, a taxi appreciation day at hotels and major attractions, Celebrate Winnipeg Chamber luncheon and held the 5th Annual Winnipeg Tourism Awards of Distinction recognizing 24 nominees and 12 finalists. Tourism Winnipeg also connected with stakeholders through quarterly From the Desk of Chantal, monthly e-newsletters, weekly media hits and on-going communications through Simpleview's extranet site. FINANCIAL RESOURCES Tourism Winnipeg, a division of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., gets its core funding from the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg by way of an apportionment of the Accommodation Tax. The Special Event Tourism Fund was established by the City of Winnipeg in 2008 to provide financial assistance in attracting major sports and special events. As of July 31, 2016, the Special Event Tourism Fund has committed a total of $6.9 million to 168 meetings, conventions and events spanning 2009 to 2021. These events cumulatively represent more than $144 million in direct expenditures for Winnipeg. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tourism Winnipeg desires peak performance and improved efficiency as an organization to ensure it operates at an optimal level through a destination marketing accreditation program, corporate responsibility, and professional development. In 2016, Tourism Winnipeg held staff team building events at Assiniboia Downs, Lasertopia and Red River College's Culinary school; attended the first anniversary of the ALT Hotel, and Holiday Inn South client event. The Marketing Director also attended the Destination Marketing Association International's Marketing Innovation Summit. Tourism Winnipeg continued to support local charities including the Manitoba Lung Association and Earth Day.