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New Marketing Director Hired
Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance Expands Marketing Initiatives
The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (FLTA) announced today that Jeff Gutridge has joined the organization as Director of Marketing. Gutridge will lead FLTA’s marketing and advertising efforts and be responsible for expanding market awareness of one of New York’s most popular tourism destinations.
Gutridge brings 10 years of diverse marketing knowledge to FLTA, including experience in the hospitality and sports and entertainment industry. Prior to joining FLTA, he worked for the New England Sports Network, spearheading online marketing efforts for the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. He has also led the online efforts for key New England tourism destinations such as Bretton Woods Ski Resort and Mt. Washington Hotel and Resort. More recently as a senior communications manager, Gutridge has played prominent roles in developing and executing marketing/advertising strategies for various software companies in Boston.
"We are thrilled that Jeff has decided to lead our marketing team,” said Cynthia Kimble, president of FLTA. “Jeff’s vast marketing expertise combined with his internet marketing experience will help us advance all of our marketing efforts. His background in online marketing will allow us to boost the Finger Lakes’ presence online and reach a new segment of visitors to the region.”
A former newspaper editor, Gutridge holds a Master’s degree in Print Journalism from Boston University and Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam.
“I’ve always loved the Finger Lakes region,” said Gutridge. “The region has a great reputation with so many hidden attractions. I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to enlighten others about the beauty and excitement of the region.”
Plan to attend The 2008 Governor’s Tourism Conference
May 14-16
The 2008 Governor’s Tourism Conference will bring you a new look at how to promote your New York. We will reveal the details of the I LOVE NEW YORK brand re-launch, share innovative marketing strategies, and provide key insights on new marketing and tourism trends. The conference agenda is filled with first-hand examples and fresh ideas from around the country and your backyard. You’ll meet your peers from around the state to share business models and best practices. Reimagine your New York at the 2008 Governor’s Tourism Conference!
For complete details http://www.iloveny.com/NEWSInformation/GovernorsConference.aspx
Engagement of Smith Marketing Services as the Public Relations Agency
for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance
In our comprehensive search for a PR company for FLTA, the TPA PR Selection Committee, under the leadership of Carol Eaton, developed and distributed an RFP to qualified companies in the Finger Lakes....and beyond. Over 15 proposals were received. The committee ranked each proposal, and the top three companies were advised that they had made the first cut, and were given an assignment to work on as part of their formal presentation to the committee. Of the three final candidates, one pulled themselves out prior to the final presentation which left two companies to present. The committee spent the better part of a day listening to each company's formal presentation, including an extensive Q&A. The committee graded each company based on their presentations and a variety of other criteria outlined in a metrics worksheet developed by Cindy. Funding for this company is included in the TPA's matching funds budget.
The committee was unanimous in their selection of Smith Marketing Services, a public relations and marketing firm located in Ithaca, NY.
Smith Marketing Services handles a variety of tourism and manufacturing clients in the areas of public relations, marketing, media services and project management.
Matt Montague, SMS Public Relations Director, who will be our primary public relations account executive, has extensive experience as a journalist and PR guru, including experiences as a Navy public relations specialist, editor and journalist. Matt has lived in the Finger Lakes region for many years, and has traveled extensively throughout our region. Matt and his associates, Doug Smith (President) and Paula Tarallo (Media Director) exuded tremendous passion and knowledge for our region, and invested significant time into their presentation and proposal.
Smith Marketing Services "gets it." The members of the Smith Marketing team have all lived and played in the Finger Lakes for many years, and they demonstrated an understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face as a region and organization. SMS shared many great ideas on how to grow visitors to the Finger Lakes through public relations and we are inspired. We think you will be too.
You can visit Smith Marketing Services' website at www.onlinesms.com to learn more about them.
LAST CALL FOR LITERATURE EXCHANGE SIGN UP
Click the picture to print out sign up form
If you have not reserved space for the Literature Exchange, please do so immediately
so
we can include you on the program information.
In Recognition of National Tourism Week,
employees of our tourism partners are invited to experience Pure Shopping Bliss
at Waterloo Premium Outlets.
Click logo for a special for you!
Be sure to shop AFTER the Literature Exchange Wednesday May 21, 2008!
Welcome New FLTA Partners!
Pennsylvania Yankee Theater Co./Sampson Theatre, Penn Yan
Sunset on Seneca B&B, Watkins Glen
Vanguard Printing, Ithaca
Rasa Spa, Ithaca
Dr. Konstantin Frank receives 46 Gold Medals
for their wine & champagne in 2007
Here is a list of just a few of the magazines and newspapers they have been recently highlighted in: Wine & Spirits, NBC Today Show, Democrat & Chronicle, Wine News, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast.
For more info on their award winning wines, visit www.drfrankwines.com
REMINDER TO ALL FLTA PARTNERS:
The Summer Travel Season is almost here!
Send us your Spring/Summer discounts & incentives.
FOR ACCOMMODATION PARTNERS:
If you have Sunday/Monday packages, please send them as well.
Also, if you have any Mother’s Day or Father’s Day Specials, please send them for consideration to alisonp@fingerlakes.org
NY's Pro-Am Chef Cook-Off
May 15th, 2008 4pm-7pm
New York Wine & Culinary Center, Canandaigua, NY
Taste the foods of the Finger Lakes at over 30 tasting stations; watch chefs work with celebrities and wander through the Aprons on Parade Exhibit. For more details click here.
Restructure Announced for FLTA
The Board of Directors approved a staffing restructure that allows for a refocus on marketing efforts for the region. The restructure resulted in the addition of a full time Director of Marketing, a full time Analyst/Bookkeeping position and a part time Technology Assistant role. One position, the position of Program Director, was eliminated during this restructure with segments of that role being assumed by other members of staff. That role was formerly filled by Sally Berry. Sally has elected to pursue other career opportunities. We wish Sally well and thank her for her efforts during the years of service to FLTA.
Jeff Gutridge, as previously announced in this newsletter, will fill the Director of Marketing role. Michelle Radcliffe will move into the Analyst/Bookkeeping position, leaving vacant an Administrative Assistant position. In Michelle’s new role she will provided the daily bookkeeping transactions with the overall bookkeeping function and reporting managed by an outside vendor. She will also analyze and report statistics including web traffic, phone and fulfillment inquiry assessments, track ROI, report on budget variances and a host of other items. The Technology Assistant will work to enhance our electronic marketing efforts, an area of sustainable potential for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance. FLTA is currently looking to fill the open Administrative Assistant position as well as the part time Technical Assistant role. Should you know a viable candidate with experience in either of these roles, please have them forward their resume to cindyk@fingerlakes.org.
If you want to learn about articles featuring the Finger Lakes region,
visit www.fingerlakes.org and click on the 'Finger Lakes Spotlight News'
From Paychex:
You wouldn’t dream of paying your employee’s salary a year in advance…
Stop paying your workers’ compensation all at once. Before you start or renew your Workers’ Comp Insurance, check out the Paychex Workers’ Compensation Payment Service.
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FLTA is excited to announce its e-store at Lands’ End!
ces.landsend.com/Finger1
*Things to remember when ordering FLTA logo merchandise:
Color/Style – Please be mindful that there will be three different versions of the Finger Lakes logo for you to choose from, depending on the color item you order. Also, if you order a ladies v-neck or scoop neck shirt, our logo will be too big to accommodate the logo. Lands’ End customer service is extremely helpful.
If you have any questions while ordering, or any other questions,
feel free to give them a call 800-338-2000, or call Alison at FLTA 315-536-7488.
Share this newsletter with a business friend
that may wish to consider joining FLTA.
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