The Sampson County Convention and Visitors Bureau has unveiled a two-page advertisement spread in the October issue of “Our State” magazine, a pricey push to promote attractions, activities and businesses throughout the county in hopes of bringing people across the state — and beyond — to Sampson.
According to Sampson CVB director Vickie Crane, the CVB Board of Directors felt the magazine was the perfect marketing tool because “Our State” readers are some of “the most educated, affluent and influential people in North Carolina … (who) engage with their communities, travel extensively and seek out life-enriching experiences wherever they go.”
Crane put out a press release announcing the two-page layout, which CVB officials said was costly but hoped would prove a worthy investment. With the magazine currently hitting newsstands and stores, that remains to be seen.
“As you might imagine, the cost of ad space in a magazine of this caliber is very expensive,” said Ray Jordan, chairman of the SCCVB. “However, with the Sampson Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Co-Op Advertising Program and its marketing partnership with ‘Our State’ magazine, a portion of the advertising space is funded by the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s making the cost affordable for our industry partners.
“The 3 percent occupancy tax (rate approved by the N.C. General Assembly) collected by lodging providers located in Sampson County generates the funding that makes projects like this possible,” Jordan noted.
Since its inception in 2008, the Sampson CVB has made its goal to promote Sampson County and its agri-tourism, arts and theater, historic sites, museums, festivals and events in a number of different ways.
Last year, the CVB launched its website, at www.visitsampsonnc.com and distributed its first 28-page glossy visitors guide across the county and state. That was followed by the development of a self-guided walking tour brochure and a comprehensive virtual community calendar
Crane said she is thrilled with the final layout, a spread that advertises various local offerings, as well as upcoming events — that includes next month’s annual Court Square Street Fair. She said it was an ideal time to let people know about Sampson on a wider scale.
“The October issue of ‘Our State’ is the perfect time to highlight things to see and do in Sampson County such the Court Square Street Fair, the ‘Milling Around’ public art piece, the Sorghum Festival, Christmas in the City and of course, the County’s number one attraction, the Sampson County History Museum,” said Crane. “With Our State’s readership of over 179,680, Sampson County is getting incredible exposure and I could not be more excited about this opportunity.”
For more information about the Sampson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, please contact director Vickie Crane at 910-592-2557 or vickiec@visitsampsonnc.com, or CVB board chairman Ray Jordan at 910-592-6451 or rjordan@sampsonexpocenter.com. The CVB can also be visited online at www.visitsampsonnc.com.
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.
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