Oklahoma Lakes and Countries Association

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Purpose of this project is to build a stronger, more innovative and more diverse economy for the tourism industry in rural Oklahoma. The tourism industry suffered devastating losses due to the negative economic impact. During the pandemic, rural Oklahoma did not have a strong enough digital presence. This three-year plan of recovery gives us an opportunity to lead for tomorrow by providing a stronger digital presence. The proposed three-year plan will refresh websites, increase digital advertising, enhance social media management, and provide the ability to track our travelers. Project Outline: Website Design and Development for each association. This will include strategic planning and research for sites developed specific to the tourism industry, content collection, discovery and training sessions, and the site launch. Association will be able to monetize website with an expert consultant. Digital Marketing with paid search, display advertising, and video ads, and Social Media Management to include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This will provide coordination between SMM and Digital Marketing, monthly reports, calendar of events maintains, daily post with paid boost, and the gathering of information, photos, and partner logos. Professional photography and Video Production for website and YouTube This project will serve all 77 Oklahoma counties.

EVIDENCE

Tourism is Oklahoma?s third largest industry, offering huge returns on marketing investments. Tourism drives tax revenues for state and local governments, and provides economic impact for the businesses and communities. According to Digital Generator, it is a given that digital marketing is the most cost-efficient channel for reaching potential travelers and building awareness of Oklahoma?s many destinations. Most destination marketing organizations in Oklahoma lack staff, digital marketing expertise, and the budget to compete for travelers in the digital arena. OLCA can help solve this dilemma, by joining forces in their regions of Oklahoma, allowing engagement in professional digital marketing services.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The depressed tourism sector has caused municipalities, counties, and the state to lose tax revenue. It has caused businesses to experience decreased revenues, losses or even to close their doors. Lost bed taxes have undermined the ability of many local destination marketing organizations to continue their marketing programs. The economic ripple effects from the lost revenue have had a particularly detrimental effect on rural Oklahoma. The top 10 counties in Oklahoma based on the share of their jobs in the tourism industry are all rural counties where second homes, tribal casinos and destination resorts create employment opportunities and economic impact.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The Oklahoma Lakes and Countries Association will contract an Administrative Coordinator to oversee the project, maintain documents and distribution of the funds. Each association will be provided monthly reports for social media accounts, digital marketing performance, display advertising results, video advertising results, website performance, and traveler demographic information. The Administrative Coordinator will monitor the progress the project and compile monthly report to track the project performance measures. This individual will review, compare and manage payables, and prepare the monthly financial statement. The monthly progress reports will record the projects impact on all 77 Oklahoma counties.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma