(re)Discover Durham with Scvngr

With the profusion of social media applications on the market today, and a slew more coming down the pike, it's hard for the end user to make decisions about which ones to use, what they do and how they can be beneficial.  As a destination marketing organization, the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau is similarly burdened (as all businesses are) to ascertain which applications offer the most end user value for their customers.

After considerable searching through a multitude of mobile applications, DCVB decided on moving forward with Scvngr.  That name's not a typo, it's the word "scavenger" without vowels, and it's a mobile gaming application that actually has strong value for those visiting places with which they are unfamiliar, or for those rediscovering places with which they have become overly familiar.  Let's face it, few can be tourists in the places they live.  The application also has a social component that is enjoyable to use as it allows users to share their experiences with others on social media, and in some instances, win status or prizes.

Scvngr opens the door to discovering places by having users complete challenges.  The challenges usually fall into three categories: answers, photos and scans.  These are as simple as they sound - answer a question, take a picture or scan a QR code.  Doing so typically requires some interaction beyond simply arriving at a place - good challenges require the user to discover the place at which the challenge is taking place.  Challenges are often bundled together to make treks.  For an organization like DCVB, treks equal tours or itineraries with information delivered as each challenge is completed.

DCVB is currently building a series of treks that will open the door to Durham on a few different topics and which should be enlightening to both residents and visitors.  Once complete, those will be announced, but for the mean time, DCVB has a few bits up on the application for folks to begin playing with this service.  All folks need is a web-enabled smart phone to play, and the Scvngr application.  Here's a tutorial on how to use the application, as well.

So, visitor or resident, Scvngr awaits.  Feedback on this tool can be emailed.