Visit Plano received top honors at the Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (TACVB) Annual Conference on Aug. 21, 2024, winning three prestigious awards for their innovative destination marketing efforts.
Competing against other leading contenders, Visit Plano’s campaigns in meetings and events, community engagement and leisure tourism were recognized for their impact on both visitors and local residents.
Visit Plano earned first place in the meetings and conventions promotion category for its “Golden Ticket Business Travel Incentive Campaign.” This initiative, running from January through June, rewarded top business travelers staying at participating Plano hotels. Each month, 15 hotels selected two corporate travelers to receive golden tickets, which could be redeemed for $100 Visa gift cards, as a token of appreciation for their loyalty.
In the community/local engagement promotion category, Visit Plano secured second place for their “Total Solar Eclipse” campaign. As Plano was located on the path of totality for the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse, the city leveraged this rare event to attract visitors and boost local pride. The campaign included the formation of an eclipse task force, a comprehensive marketing strategy, and community initiatives like distributing 25,000 eclipse glasses and hosting a contest at the Visit Plano Visitor Center. The result was an influx of 227,000 visitors to Plano, a significant increase in hotel occupancy, and a surge in website traffic.
The team also took third place in the leisure/tourism marketing campaign category for their “Pet-Friendly Plano” promotion, launched in May 2024. This campaign highlighted Plano’s extensive pet-friendly amenities, including dog parks, restaurant patios and hotels. By aligning the promotion with National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Plano effectively showcased the city as a top destination for pet lovers, engaging the community through creative digital content, social media videos and partnerships with local businesses.
Visit Plano’s Director, Mark W. Thompson, was also recognized for his long-standing contributions to TACVB, particularly during his recent tenure as board chair. Thompson, who has led Visit Plano since 1988, was praised for his leadership and dedication to advancing TACVB’s goals. Additionally, Visit Plano’s Director of Sales, Alysha Carse, was appointed to the TACVB Board for the 2024-2025 term.
For more information, visit Visit Plano’s official website.
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