TORONTO, February 5, 2010 – The Economic Developers of Ontario (EDCO) has presented another award to Elgin County in further recognition of its exemplary strategy for promoting tourism and economic development.
Elgin County received the Product Development, Strategic Plans award today for its Tourism Development Strategy and Marketing Plan, created in conjunction with the City of St. Thomas. The award was presented at the Ontario Economic Development Awards ceremony held during the 53rd Annual Conference and Showcase at the Eaton Centre Marriot Hotel in Toronto.
Elgin County was also a finalist for the “Elgin County - Internal e-Update” in the Business Development, Publications category. The quarterly newsletter is sent to municipal partners, County staff and key stakeholders in the community.
"Elgin County Council and Economic Development has recognized the value of tourism as a strong economic generator for the area and has chosen the perfect time to initiate a plan that will see tourism become a vital contributor to this changing and growing sector of the economy. This award recognizes the sound decisions of County Council and the hard work of the Economic Development team," said Warden Bonnie Vowel.
The brand and initiatives arising from it, including the Tourism Development Strategy and Marketing Plan, were all created with the assistance of Yfactor Inc. in collaboration with consulting firm Millier Dickinson Blais Inc.
The two companies worked closely with the economic development and tourism advisory committees of Elgin County and St. Thomas. The cooperation and partnership between the two independent neighbouring governments was one unique aspect of the tourism marketing initiative.
The branding of Elgin County dictated the tourism positioning, which is to promote the County as being “Progressive by Nature.” This theme was carried through in the tourism development and marketing strategy.
Alan Smith, Deputy Director, Community and Cultural Services, for Elgin County, commented: “This plan provides tremendous value as a map for the development of tourism assets and the implementation of tourism marketing. We believe this innovative strategy will have significant impact on tourism attraction in our County.”
The marketing strategy is focused on achieving the three goals:
1.Increase the number of people who visit Elgin/St. Thomas;
2.Increase the length of time that visitors stay;
3.Increase the amount of money that visitors spend.
To accomplish these goals the Tourism Development Strategy and Marketing Plan lays out an integrated set of marketing tactics based on an extensive quantity of tourism products in Elgin/St. Thomas. It recommends the development of three iconic attractions: the Elgin County Culinary Trail, the Ports of Elgin County and the Railway Capital of Canada, the latter based on the historic importance of St. Thomas as a railway centre. The plan recommends activities that will draw specific target audiences to each of these attractions.
Elgin County’s attractiveness and its bold marketing strategy are on display at www.progressivebynature.com. For a profile of the Elgin County investment attraction project and other success stories, visit www.yfactor.com/Public/Default.aspx?I=566&n=Projects.
For more information please contact:
Kate Burns
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
County of Elgin
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas, Ontario, N5R 5V1
www.elgin-county.on.ca
Phone: (519) 631-1460 Ext. 137
Fax: (519) 631-4549
kburns@elgin-county.on.ca
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