6 Ways to Set Your Season Up For Success

6 Ways to Set Your Season Up For Success

Marketing Your Maine Hospitality Business in 2024

Spring into action! Before the season kicks into high gear, it’s time to prepare your hospitality business for success. We’ll explore actionable steps to update your visitor’s guide listings, upload your 2024 events and deals, and enhance your web presence with fresh content and captivating photo(s). Let’s dive in and ensure your business is ready to thrive this year.


1. Update Visitor’s Guide Listing

Reading Visitor's Guide, Photo Credit: Capshore Photography

When you partner with Visit Portland, you receive a targeted listing in our annual Visitor’s Guide publication. Partners receive deep discounts on advertising in this widely circulated resource.

With a print run of 150,000; The Visitor’s Guide is everywhere you want to be from hotels to chambers to trade shows to all Maine Information Centers.


2. Attend a Networking Event or Educational Seminar

Aloft Partner Mixer, Photo Credits: Serena Folding

Each of Visit Portland’s exclusive hospitality/tourism events offer insights and connection points within the tourism community – inspiring collaboration and innovation for your business. Join us for an educational seminar, a mixer, or a marketing meeting to stay up-to-date with everything happening in Greater Portland’s thriving tourism/hospitality industry and learn how you can tap into your Visit Portland partnership and resources.

NEXT EVENTS:
MARKETING MEETING – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 Register
PARTNER MIXER – WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 Register
FRONTLINE ORIENTATION – MONDAY, JUNE 10 Save the Date


3. Update Your Business Brochure at our Information Center

Ocean Gateway interior, Photo Credits: Serena Folding

Partners should take full advantage of their brochure distribution benefit at our visitor information centers for maximum exposure and engagement with potential customers. These centers serve as prime locations where visitors actively seek information about local attractions, accommodations, and activities. By placing brochures in these centers, partners can effectively reach their target audience and increase brand visibility. To make your brochure stand out, consider using vibrant colors, high-quality images, concise yet compelling content, and clear contact information.

Additionally, ensure that your brochure is properly sized to fit standard brochure racks, as a 4 x 9 tri-fold. By following these pro tips and utilizing the brochure distribution benefit, partners can enhance their marketing efforts and attract more visitors to their business or destination. All partners receive distribution at our Ocean Gateway location. As a tier III/ACC II partner you receive distribution at the Ocean Gateway and Jetport. Any partner may upgrade and add on a location at any time. More details can be found in our Partner’s Brochure, here.


4. Feature Upcoming Deals + Events

Merrill Auditorium; Photo Credit: Lauren Peters at Visit Portland

Our team is working behind-the-scenes to drive additional traffic to our popular Events Calendar and Deals + Packages pages.

We do this by organically posting and sharing with media/community partners, but we also schedule year-round paid ads across our digital platforms.

Utilize this boost to your endeavors by posting your events + deals to our website through your Web Dashboard.


5. Optimize Your Destination Web Listing

Fore River Sports Fishing cruising on water, Photo Credit: PGM Photography

Audit your web listing(s) annually to assure your hours, location, and other business offerings are correct. Visit Portland sees over 2.2 million web views a year and you want to make sure you have up-to-date photos and a call-to-action ready.

Update listing copy online by logging-into your Web Dashboard. Email us to inquire about sending photos. Share via your photo gallery system or we will provide you an easy drag-and-drop upload link.


6. Maximize Group Lead Potential

Tented event on waterfront, Photo Credit: Ian Wagreich Photography

Group sales leads could be inquiries for accommodations/venue space, catering, group tours, welcome gifts to kick-off the event, etc. We work with planners from the beginning to finalizing loose-ends – bringing those connections straight to your inbox.

But, you can get a jump start by making planner connections, offering special group deals, and utilizing our Booked Events Calendar to bring your business to the next level.


partner resources

Access your benefits easily anytime by logging into our partnership tools below.

Tommy's Park, PC: Lauren Peters

WEB DASHBOARDaccess support
*Add Events/Deals
*Update Web Listing
*Pay via Paypal

PARTNER PORTALaccess support
*Access Leads
*Update Account Contacts
*Manage Publication Listings
*Communicate via Partner Forum
*Pay via Credit Card

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