Transcript Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force

Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
11 tasks assigned by Harlingen 100
• Significant progress to date, thanks to CVB
Exec Director and others
• Tourism has declined less in Harlingen then
neighboring communities
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Certified Retirement Community Status
obtained – “icon” on CVB website; separate
CRC committee working to attract retirees.
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Hospitality Training Program – up and
running for over a year.
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Website – dynamic, interactive, with new
logos – www.visitharlingentexas.com - try
it out!
Website Services
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Hotel reservations
Rental car reservations
Movie ticket sales
Provides map of area
Souvenir sales
Provides information on local restaurants
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Develop an effective “ brand” for Harlingen –
Dutch Name, Texas Heart – on brochures,
website, and billboard
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• “Targeting” groups – several efforts ongoing,
including increasing birders, sports groups and
retirees
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Develop visitor’s package – many new
publications, several on display here.
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Tracking Models – have contracted to obtain
quarterly reports on hotel reservations and
bookings, and economic impact
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Strategic Partnerships w/groups – working
with birding groups, HAHM, and others to
encourage tourism
Jalapeno 100
The CVB worked with this committee
specifically on marketing and
promotion. This past February
participation increased by 20%
In addition the CVB provides meeting
space and helps welcome
participants. For the first time this
year, the CVB organized a bicycle
safety workshop the week before the
event.
RGV Birding Festival
The CVB works very closely with this
committee in the marketing and
promotion efforts including the
participation in several trade shows
around the country. The CVB also
assists with the hospitality booth
providing visitors with information on
services and attractions in Harlingen.
Cinesol
The Harlingen CVB works closely
with this committee providing
assistance in the marketing and
promotion of this event as well as the
36 Hour Run. The CVB also assists
with the hospitality services for out of
town guests.
Harlingen Heritage Festival
The CVB partners with this group to provide
assistance in the marketing and promotion
efforts. This year the festival increased
participation by 80% and is already working
with the CVB planning a two day event for
next year. It will be a one of a kind event in
the Rio Grande Valley
Taste of Harlingen
This very successful event planned by the
Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum
Association has partnered with the
Harlingen CVB and will introduce the first
annual Food Festival named “Sabor del
Campo Fest” this coming October. The
CVB has supported this event in the
marketing and promotion efforts.
Alliance for Hispanic
Arts & Culture
The newest division of the
Harlingen CVB and soon to be an
independent 501c3 organization, the
AHAC has produced a cultural
calendar of cultural events to be
held at Gutierrez Park this coming
Fall and Winter. A successful clean
up day was organized thanks to the
downtown office and Harlingen
Proud committee.
Blues on the Hill
For the first time this year, the CVB was
involved with this committee in providing
support with the marketing and
promotional efforts. It is a great
partnership and is currently working on
extending concert dates and music genres.
Arroyo Youth Soccer League
The CVB was part of this great
effort put together by the Parks &
recreation team and the Arroyo
Youth Soccer Club by providing
assistance with hospitality and
housing coordination ensuring that
our visitors enjoy a wonderful stay.
PONY National Tournament
The PONY organizers has a tremendous
event this past July and the CVB was
happy to help coordinate the hospitality
services. For the first time this year, the
CVB offered the “Dougout” a place
where players could cool down and rest
between games and an ideal place to
conduct a survey to see how visitors
rated Harlingen’s services.
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Viral Marketing – continuing effort to
“spread the word”
Harlingen is featured
through several social
networks like Tweeter, You
Tube and Facebook.
Harlingen 100 – Tourism Task Force
• Remaining tasks (sign plan; hotel) off the
table