RTO 9 Marketing Programs 2021-2022 - RTO 9

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RTO 9 Marketing Programs 2021-2022

New program joins existing digital program in helping members with marketing initiatives

Drive for Excellence Program

Kingston, ON — (June 28, 2021) — RTO 9 is pleased to introduce a new funding program developed to help start, build or grow organizations’ marketing programs.

The Drive for Excellence Program has been designed for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Destination Marketing Program (DMPs) partners to support everything from strategy development to marketing campaign support, to operator training and many other options.

“We’re excited about this new program and believe this will have a real impact on helping destination marketing programs for our members,” said Bonnie Ruddock, executive director of Region 9 Tourism Organization

RTO 9 and their agency of record, Alphabet Creative, collaborated with each destination to provide direct access to professional services and knowledgeable marketing support. Below are the support programs that have been initiated for each destination for the 2021/2022 season.

Destinations were asked to map out how the destination and operators wanted to develop over time; business, market, and trade ready as well as allow destinations and operators to self-identify their current readiness and understand what kind of support was required.

RTO 9 and Alphabet Creative collaborated with each destination to provide direct access to professional services and knowledgeable marketing support. The following support programs have been initiated for the 2021-2022 season.

Destination Drive for Excellence Program Support

Prince Edward County – Governance Strategy, Plan Your Visit Paid Search Strategy
Bay of Quinte – Content Creation, Digital Asset Development
Kingston – Meeting & Conventions Landing Page and Asset Development, Influencer/FAM Trips
Cornwall – Influencer/FAM Trips, Product Development Proposal
SDG Counties – SDG Jail Strategy, Video Development
1000 Islands Gananoque – FAM/Influencer Trips, Digital Marketing Campaign, Content Creation
Lennox and Addington – Digital Media Campaign
Frontenac County – Tourism Strategy with RTO11, Open Farms Media Plan
Brockville – Content Creation and FAM/Influencer Trips
1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways – 1000 Islands/Leeds and Grenville RFP Rideau Canal Strategy

Digital Marketing Support Program

The Drive for Excellence Program joins the Digital Marketing Support Program, which provides members of the RTO 9 Digital Marketing Committee with the opportunity to partner on digital marketing tactics for their destination.

The RTO 9 Digital Marketing Committee includes tourism partners from throughout South Eastern Ontario and is aimed at providing assistance to RTO 9 in their upcoming content marketing initiatives for their consumer brand, South Eastern Ontario. This year, RTO 9 will be partnering with these members on a Digital Marketing Support Program that includes Facebook advertising and storytelling content.

“Digital marketing is a key component to the successful marketing of a destination and our digital marketing support program really helps destinations to get the word out about their initiatives,” said Ruddock.

The committee will capitalize on the following initiatives for the 2021-2022 season:
Facebook Advertising Program
Committee members will be able to promote an experience or event of their destination’s choice on the South Eastern Ontario Facebook page with a Facebook Ad. Management of the Facebook Ad will be administered by RTO 9.

Storytelling Program
This program includes social media advertising, using RTO 9’s remarketing lists, new photos, as well as the creation of engaging storytelling blog content to give each destination and operator more visibility. The program also includes all expenses for content, giveaway prizes and promotion, and the content will be promoted through South Eastern Ontario’s social media channels and website.

The Digital Marketing Committee members consist of:

  • 1000 Islands Accommodation Partners
  • Brockville Tourism
  • County of Prince Edward
  • Frontenac County
  • Ontario Festival of Small Halls
  • SDG Counties
  • Town of Prescott
  • What’s On Westport
  • Bay of Quinte
  • Cornwall Tourism
  • Lennox & Addington
  • Kingston
  • Merrickville

About RTO 9

RTO 9 is a regional tourism organization established in 2010 that is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. RTO 9 actively promotes tourism for the South Eastern Ontario region and works to support and grow the tourism industry through marketing, product development, investment attraction and workforce development initiatives. The regions of South Eastern Ontario are 1000 Islands Gananoque, Bay of Quinte, Brockville, Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Counties, Frontenac County, Kingston, Lennox and Addington, Prince Edward County and the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways.
Media Contact
To arrange an interview with Bonnie Ruddock, Executive Director of Region 9 (South Eastern Ontario) Regional Tourism Organization, or arrange high-res images please contact:

Erin O’Driscoll
Beattie Tartan
erin.driscoll@beattiegroup.com
Direct: 416.319.8296