State Grant to Expand Columbus CVB Marketing

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Earning a big award in state grant funding allows Visit Columbus to mix and maximize strategic media and compelling messaging for a higher destination profile.

That’s the good news for Columbus-Lowndes County, that people around the world will be reading and discovering more about the area in 2015, thanks to extra money added to Visit Columbus’ media advertising budget through matching grants the agency recently earned from Visit Mississippi, the state’s tourism organization. Approximately $43,000 will be added to Visit Columbus’ media budget for the next year through six separate grants awarded to the agency.

“These expanded media monies will allow us to create a bigger impact online as well as through print advertising, and help us to better penetrate the global market with our message,” noted Nancy Carpenter, Visit Columbus CEO.

The competitive grant process, a one-year Tourism Marketing Matching Grant program, was overseen by a five-member committee of tourism and grant professionals.

“They were meticulous in their evaluation,” Carpenter points out. “So the awards actually offer a validation as well as critical financial support for our current media strategy.”

The funds were awarded with the stipulation that monies be used toward advertising outside a 100-mile radius. Funds also required a 50/50 match of local organizations.

Events highlighted in 2015 advertising include Spring Pilgrimage and Catfish in the Alley; a year-round schedule of events will also be promoted. Grant funds will be applied toward publications that include Southern Living, Garden & Gun and Brand USA, which offers an international marketing platform.