CALL FOR VIDEO
for use in the ’14 Mystic Country Summer Advertising Campaign
The Eastern Regional Tourism District and Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau are currently looking for B-roll/video of eastern Connecticut attractions, scenery and accommodations for use in the 2014 Mystic Country summer advertising campaign. To be considered for inclusion, please send your video to rita@mysticcountry.com.
Ways to send your B-roll/video:
DropBox – www.dropbox.com
WeTransfer – www.wetransfer.com
Hightail – www.hightail.com
FTP: (You will need a FTP program, like Fetch or Filezilla, to use these instructions.)
FTP credentials:
server: 64.251.63.87
username: digitalmedia
password: In Bruges
Click on “Public” folder. Upload video to “Andy Wood_Mystic Aquarium” folder.
Please note: We can only accept high-quality video created using the MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.264 video compression methods. Not sure if your video meets this standard? Feel free to email and we’ll let you know. Also, the video must be the property of the establishment submitting it, and you must be willing to sign a video/footage release form if selected.
Deadline for submission: June 20, 2014.
Connecticut’s 10th Annual Open House Day Saturday, June 14th
This day is a great opportunity for all Connecticut residents to discover, and rediscover, all that the State, and especially the eastern district, has to offer. From historic homes, vineyards, art galleries and studios, museums and more – doors will open offering a variety of incentives such as discounted or free admission, free gifts or special exhibitions. Coordinated by the CT Office of Tourism, this is a great day for a family exploration. Click here for a full list of properties and their offerings.
New England Bus Association Annual Conference June 19-22 – Co-op Marketing Opportunity – Deadline: June 13
The New England Bus Association – newenglandbus.org – is holding their annual conference June 19-22 at the Mystic Hilton. This group of 125 attendees (all NEBA members) will enjoy a round of golf, tour attractions via FAMs, attend a lobster bake at Mystic Seaport and enjoy all that Mystic Country has to offer.
You have the opportunity to meet, greet and mingle with the NEBA attendees as an event sponsor for the opening reception hosted by the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. The date is Friday, June 20 from 5-7 pm.
The cost for sponsorship is $150. Tables will be available for sponsors to display materials and images about their business/attraction. Sponsors will also be allowed to include an item in the Welcome Bags that will go to each attendee and will receive a discounted annual NEBA membership rate the following year.
Take a look at the influential members of NEBA at www.newenglandbus.org/operator then become a sponsor of the NEBA reception. Please contact Janice at jputnam@mysticcountry.com for more details or to become a sponsor.
Co-op Advertising Opportunity in the Official Discover New England Travel Guide – Deadline: Space reservation June 25
The Discover New England Annual Summit and International Marketplace, recently held at the Mystic Marriott was a resounding success! One hundred international buyers and 300 New England suppliers were hosted by CT Tourism partners. Nearly 1.8 million overseas visitors come to New England every year, and every year visits continue to grow. International visitors stay longer and spend more – a lucrative market for New England destinations. To keep the momentum going to promote Mystic Country to International visitors, a co–op advertising opportunity is available.
Yankee Publishing is partnering with Discover New England to produce The Official 2015 Discover New England Travel Guide – the only publication, both print and digital – that is specifically designed to attract the international visitor to New England. The Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country has secured a full color page in all three editions: UK, Germany & Japan. Substantial discounts are offered to coop partners with Mystic Country, plus FREE translation services. Contact Janice Putnam, jputnam@mysticcountry.com, to take advantage of this great opportunity. For more information and rates, click here.
Connecticut’s Visitor Intercept Study Results
The 2013 Connecticut Visitor Intercept Study is a survey of our State’s tourists. It is the only tracking study of visitors during their visits to a statewide, representative cross-section of attractions. The study began in 2001 and its database now includes over 38,000 interviews. It includes both area residents (as tourists, hosts and ambassadors) and visitors from other states and countries.
The study is designed for tourism marketing, fundraising and economic development professionals who need to understand visitors in order to get the most from their marketing dollar.
To view a summary of the study, click here.
The state’s annual Fan-Favorite: Town program will be launching on June 12– and now is the time to plan how you will mobilize people to vote for you to win the coveted accolade of still revolutionary Fan-Favorite Town, and destination, of the year!
Starting Thursday, residents and visitors will be asked to vote on the Visit Connecticut Facebook page (via designated tab).
We encourage you to take advantage of this program to promote your town and/or business destination or attraction. Last year, Niantic won big by mobilizing more than 30 destinations in their town to participate in a fun promotional video. Organize with other destinations, post to social media, share the voting link at point of sale, post flyers to excite the community and more – the sky is the limit on your creativity!
Fan-Favorite Town seeks to shine a spotlight on the state’s unique towns and experiences. The socially-driven program calls for people to vote for the Connecticut town that they think most embodies the spirit of the state’s brand, still revolutionary — a haven for original ideas and innovation that offers a dynamic blend of experiences. Participants will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite business, destination or attraction within that town. By voting they will automatically be entered to win a Connecticut getaway.
The winning town and destination will receive:
• still revolutionary Town of the Year award and bragging rights for the year
• PR support and promotion to raise awareness for your town and place
• Advertising support from the Office of Tourism
• Honorary plaque presented by the Office of Tourism
• Editorial feature in the 2015 Connecticut Visitor’s Guide
• Week-long social media takeover across Visit Connecticut’s social channels
Visit www.cultureandtourism.org in the coming weeks for a promotional flyer, campaign logo and social media status update suggestions to help you promote!
For more information/questions contact Kathleen Stevens, kstevenspr@gmail.com, (203) 605-1838.
Mystic Pass Card continues to offer visitors summer savings
Now in its seventh year, the Mystic Pass Card – a unique promotion originated by Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium –continues to provide discounts and added value to visitors during the summer vacation season and beyond. The joint promotion includes savings on admission to Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium and/or the Mashantucket Pequot Museum (Mashantucket Pequot Museum is included with the Mystic Pass Card Plus) with additional savings at over 30 shops, restaurants, accommodations and attractions around the Mystic Country region. For more information about the Mystic Pass Card and Mystic Pass Card Plus, click here.