March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

Find It Here, AAACCVB launches new campaign

Tourism_Week_Banners_--_low_resolutionTourism and economic development leaders in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are teaming up to promote the destination with a single compelling message – “Find it here”. During a National Tourism Week event held at the 26 West Street Visitors Center last week, officials from the City of Annapolis, Annapolis Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) announced their commitment to using the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau’s (AAACCVB) “Find it here” branding to entice businesses to set up shop in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

AAACCVB President and CEO Connie Del Signore is convinced the collaborative use of a single brand by tourism and economic development offices is destined to yield impressive results. Since launching the campaign in July 2013, the AAACCVB has experienced an increase of nearly 133,000 unique visits to its www.VisitAnnapolis.org website. According to Del Signore, “Our ‘Find it here’ brand has been extremely effective at attracting new visitors to our destination. Based on its track record in the tourism sector, all indications are the brand will be a good fit for enticing business leaders as well. Corporate decision makers looking for a superior quality of life for their employees will ‘Find it here’ in Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay.”

Economic development partners in attendance, including Maryland State Senator John Astle; Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides; AAEDC Director of Marketing and Communications Rosa Cruz; and AEDC President and CEO Lara Fritts, spoke of their commitment to rally around the “Find it here” slogan during a video viewed by dozens of AAACCVB members and partners participating in the National Tourism Week festivities. Attendees also viewed a City of Annapolis-produced “Find it here” public service announcement now airing in movie theaters throughout Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

Since the start of fiscal year 2014, the AAACCVB has spent $1.3 million promoting the destination with its “Find it here” message via traditional and emerging media outlets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Northern Virginia, DC, New York and New Jersey. The AAACCVB’s International efforts have included outreach to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Wales, France, Germany and Brazil. Aggressive promotion of the brand over the past nine months has played a significant role in increasing hotel occupancy and enticing visitors to the region.

Earlier this month, area residents and visitors received a sneak preview of Tuesday’s announcement when City of Annapolis employees placed “Find it here” banners on 56 streetlight poles along Main Street, Maryland Avenue and City Dock. In addition to highlighting the destination’s unique attractions, the AAACCVB-produced banners tout the organization’s partnership with the City of Annapolis, AAEDC and AEDC.

Annapolis and Anne Arundel County’s travel and tourism industry generates $3.4 billion annually. “As the destination marketing organization for the city and county, our priority is to continue to grow the numbers,” said Del Signore. “The surest way to do this is by partnering with local businesses and working with city, county and state officials.”

The depth of the collaboration was evident at the National Tourism Week festivities, where AAACCVB partner businesses including McBride Gallery and Alpaca International had their products on display and Annapolis Ice Cream Company and Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom were giving out samples. Medieval Times’ Lord Chancellor and Colonial Tours of Annapolis guide Gary Glossop mingled with the crowd and greeted area residents and visitors who stopped by for the Tourism Week festivities. Lunch was provided compliments of Honey’s Harvest Market & Deli.

The AAACCVB is a nonprofit, membership-based destination marketing organization that generates revenues for the local economy by promoting Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay to leisure and business travelers across the country and around the world.

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