Walton County Tourism is committed to filling the role of excellent resource for local partners, providing insights and information that help your business grow and thrive. Though many such businesses have the potential to benefit from the Co-Op Partner Advertising program, a survey in January 2023 revealed that the biggest reason many of them didn’t was simple: they didn’t know the program existed. Further feedback confirmed the need for a more visible, user-friendly experience in terms of the annual co-op sales period, with clear communication about what the program offers: an opportunity for local partners to promote and align their business with the powerful South Walton brand in high-quality, paid media placements at minimal expense. Partners can expect to see changes to the upcoming co-op program, with more opportunities offered and multiple touchpoints leading up to the sales period.
Both bed tax collectors and non-bed tax collectors can buy media at reduced fees–as little as $300–and reap the benefits of a proven, strategic marketing program. Partners can take advantage of as many opportunities as their budget allows, and Walton County Tourism’s fully digital experience streamlines the sales process, making it a breeze for anyone to use. Supplemental digital ad opportunities are available year-round, with each campaign launching five weeks after the initial ad submission.
By becoming co-op partners, businesses are capitalizing on Walton County Tourism’s successful, multi-million-dollar marketing efforts, building awareness of their establishments and services among a highly sought-after audience. Your participation means reaching households with annual income at and above $175,000, driving average daily rates rather than occupancy. Being featured in top-tier national publications like Condé Nast Traveler, Garden & Gun, Bon Appétit and Better Homes & Gardens elevates your brand’s visibility and status at a fraction of the price it would otherwise cost. In the current fiscal year, total print circulation is over 11 million, with over 37 million digital impressions across the nation.
Walton County Tourism takes on at least half the media costs of all four seasonal digital campaigns, including online banner ads, social media ads, TripAdvisor Native Mobile, VRBO Display and Connected TV Video. For Group Sales audiences, dedicated meetings emails and LinkedIn ads reach the most desirable potential customers, as do wedding ad placements on Pinterest. Partners can track results through performance reports provided at the completion of each digital campaign, which include important data like impressions, click-throughs to their pages on VisitSouthWalton.com, traffic to their websites, total video views and more.
How to Participate
Sales for fiscal year 2023-2024 open Monday, May 22nd at 9am CDT and close Friday, May 26th at 4pm CDT, with a sales kit and workshop offered beforehand. During the sales period, partners can easily explore the full menu of advertising options at Coop.VisitSouthWalton.com, where they can also sign up, sign in and purchase.
Opportunities are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Partners can also purchase supplemental campaigns at any time for the current fiscal year, with those campaigns beginning five weeks after the purchase date. This enables partners to buy when they anticipate a need for additional promotion. As with the annual program, the Walton County Tourism Department covers at least half the cost.
The Cooperative Marketing Program is a great way to bring your business into the national spotlight, generating the biggest reach and impact for the least investment. A rising tide lifts all boats, and as Walton County’s reputation as a perfect destination continues to grow, so do your returns.
Questions? Let us know!
Kelli Carter, Director of Marketing
Email
(850) 267-1216
More on the Partner Programs:
VisitSouthWalton.com/VSW-Resource-Center/Partner-Programs
Coop.VisitSouthWalton.com
