Joint Visitor and Relocation Guide Coming in 2012

The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce they are joining forces to promote Durham to visitors and people relocating, by creating by creating a single joint visitor and relocation guide. 

Called the Official Visitor and Relocation Guide to Durham, the magazine will be published in January of 2012. By combining three existing vehicles (DCVB’s Visitor Guide, the Chamber's Membership Directory and the Chamber’s Make It Durham Relocation Guide,) local businesses will save advertising dollars and hassle, plus reach a larger audience at the same time. More than 100,000 copies will be printed and distributed directly to 130 venues throughout Durham as well as to those requesting a copy through DCVB's marketing and advertising.

Last year there were three publications produced, all with similar and overlapping information. “This collaboration is a no-brainer,” said Shelly Green, President and Chief Executive Officer of DCVB.  “It makes sense because we are the organizations with the most direct access to the request stream. The Chamber and DCVB distribute directly to visitors, and people and businesses in the process of relocating."

The Chamber and DCVB are the recognized organizations in Durham charged with the responsibility of attracting and serving visitors, relocating businesses and new residents. This will be the only Guide used by DCVB and by the Chamber in their visitor and relocation efforts including the Make It Durham program.

“Durham’s star has been on the rise for many years, with the last few years seeing a meteoric ascent in attention. The timing for this move simply could not be better as the world has literally taken notice of Durham,” said Casey Steinbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber.

The production of the guide is already underway.  Businesses and organizations desiring information about advertising opportunities should contact Greg Craft at ads@durham-cvb.com.

Visitors Guide Advertising Still Available, Great New Options Also Offered

With the absolute profusion of online advertising opportunities available to businesses these days, good old-fashioned print advertising seems to have taken a back seat in the minds of some businesses as an effective means to get messages into the hands of interested potential customers.  Truth be told, both are critical in successful marketing.

The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) offers numerous opportunities for local businesses and organizations to put messages in front of some of the 6 million plus visitors to Durham each year. One of the most visible and recognized publications is the Official Durham Visitors Guide. There are 150,000 copies printed and distributed each year.  The guide is also reproduced online with links to sponsors websites...providing a double bang for the buck. Additionally, DCVB offers online opportunities on its various web platforms and sites.

"DCVB has not only expanded its inventory of online space to reach highly-targeted visitors and newcomers, it has also developed several new offerings in traditional outlets, as well," said Shelly Green, President and CEO. "DCVB provides an effective means for local businesses to connect with visitors needing goods and services," she added. 

Industry professionals agree that great marketing requires multiple theaters of operation. "We tend to think first about online and social media, but then add to it whatever else makes the most sense...and usually that means print and/or broadcast," according to Don Pausback, principal of Pausback Advertising in Durham.  Pausback Advertising has recommended to several of its clients inclusion in the Official Durham Visitors Guide as part of an overall strategy of reaching the lucrative visitor market. 

Not advertising to save money is akin to stopping a clock to save time as the old saying goes.  Well-targeted advertising is--and always will be--an excellent move.  Electronic, print or otherwise, a well-produced advertisement in front of the proper audience in the right medium is almost always going to be effective.

Opportunities still exist for the upcoming 2011 edition of the guide, the most informative guide with the largest distribution of any other visitor publication produced in Durham.  Others guides are profit-making vehicles for outside publishers and are not sanctioned by DCVB..  Click here for additional information.