Herbert J. Malone, Jr., President/CEO Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
In the News
In the News
Shoreline Impact Beaches Slathered with Oil
So Many Issues... Shoreline Protection Vessels of Opportunity Clean up Claims Marketing
Role of the DMO Shoreline Protection Vessels of Opportunity Clean up Claims Marketing
Tourism s Impact in 2009 4.6 million guests $2.3 billion in visitor spending 40,000+ travel related jobs $915 million in wages and salary
Summer 2010 Forecast 3.4 million guests $1.7 billion in direct visitor spending 30,000+ travel-related jobs $679 million in wages and salary
Estimating Impact
Core Markets Alabama Birmingham Huntsville Montgomery Georgia Atlanta Louisiana Baton Rouge New Orleans Mississippi Jackson Tennessee Memphis Nashville
Methods Advertising Online Banners Sliding billboards Video pre-roll Newspapers Strip ads on front page 1/2 pg 4C ads Website added value Radio Spots Daily video on their websites Television Spots Events Public Relations Onsite TV and radio remotes Press trips Travel and news interviewsi
Methods Integrated Online Marketing Website enhancements and incorporation of social networking Facebook Twitter You Tube Texting Blogging User-generated content Incentives/Inducements Events Group incentive packages Attractions & concert tickets Restaurant gift cards
Our Message Honest Information From Authoritative Sources
Television We love Lucy
Daily Videos
Integrated Social Marketing
Newspaper & Radio
Online
Online
Results Website traffic: YTD 2.7 million visitors i 46% over last year June visits ii were up 131% 441,000 visitors to thebeachfacts.com Daily Videos up to 30,000 views each
Results Friends, fans & followers: Facebook Fans Sept 2009 Sept 2010 8,408 31, 838 (10,270 in March) Twitter followers 3,034 5,257
Reality Summer 2010 vs 2009 Lodging Revenue -47.5% Retail Sales -27.5%
Moving Forward Issues & Challenges Financial Physical Scientific Emotional Perception
On June 2, the Costal Resiliency Coalition i (CRC) formed as a joint initiative between the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the Ala Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
Goals: Bring together community leaders to help Alabama Gulf Coast businesses and individuals Survive, Sustain and Succeed during and beyond the gulf oil crisis; Leverage available resources to inspire and promote economic resiliency throughout our community and across the Gulf Coast; Work with our partners at home and statewide to find effective ways to bring relief to our business community; Use our collective experiences and expertise to help other communities in need and become a model for revitalization, innovation, and outreach.
Partners: Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism Faulkner State Community College Alabama Technology Network Alabama Career Center System Alabama Small Business Development Council Women s Business Center U.S. Small Business Administration
Key Areas of Focus: Human Survival Business Survival and Development Financial Political Advocacy Communications
Key Areas of Focus: Human Survival Guided by members of the Baldwin County Department of Mental Health, to concentrate on the human impact of the Gulf Oil Crisis. Crisis Counseling & Intervention Suicide Prevention Training Educational Training for First Responders (Law Enforcement, EMT s, School Personnel, etc) Family/Marital Counseling Case Management Services A 1-800 Call Center (1-800-367-0955) Placement of Counselors in Designated Locations
Key Areas of Focus: Business Support Center (BSC) The CRC established the Business Support Center as a single place where displaced workers and small businesses may access a broad selection of resources including: Financial Assistance Financial Assistance Business Planning Career Counseling Crisis Counseling
The BSC engages in the following activities: Helping businesses identify new products and services; Creating focus groups; Providing Productivity/Lean Training to businesses; Holding working sessions with the Governor s Office of Workforce Development; and, Creating partnerships between colleges, universities and businesses. BSC is located in two locations: Gulf Shores Bayou La Batre The BSC Staff includes: One full time director, One Full-time Cii Crisis Counselor; Two Full Time Career Consultants, 1- Intake specialist, and 1- Senior Aide
Key Areas of Focus: Financial Identifying Immediate Financing Opportunities Monitoring the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) and BP Claims Processes Monitoring SBA Loan Process Meeting with private banks and financial institutions Working on Regulatory Reform/Leniency including: Loosening Bank Appraisal Restrictions Working on policies to encourage loan modifications
Key Areas of Focus: Political Advocacy Utilizing coalition of state/local/federal legislators and senators Aligning Universities Increasing productivity and partnership between Auburn University and the University of Alabama System Developing a baseline study by industry (academia driven) Creating Banking Commission Involvement
Key Areas of Focus: Communications Creating awareness of the resources and tools available to the business community who are suffering from the Gulf Oil Crisis. Newsletters Public Relations and Community Outreach Focus Groups Organizing industry focus groups to indentify the needs of our business community. Special Events
Results: On Aug. 16, BP provided the Ala Department of Mental Health $12 million dollars for mental health services related to the Gulf oil spill. As of Sept. 8, SBA Loans Approved through the Business Support Center in Baldwin County totaled $2,175,100 and in Mobile County $1,860,100. Auburn University Forum, Alabama Road to Restoration: Integrated Recovery Strategies for the Gulf Coast (October 5-6, 2010) As of Oct. 14 247 businesses, representing 1,825 employees As of Oct. 14 247 businesses, representing 1,825 employees have been served through the Gulf Shores center.
The Coastal Recovery Commission of Alabama was created on Sept. 27 through an executive order signed by Governor Bob Riley. Its mission i to shape a roadmap to resilience in the wake of the oil spill crisis. www.crcalabama.org
The Commission is organizing its work under three broad topics, each connected with the other and each representing a key component of regional adaptability and sustainability: A Healthy Environment A Healthy Society A Healthy Economy Report to be delivered by Dec. 15
Seafood Safety "I'm eating fish and shellfish caught in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There should be no doubt that Gulf seafood is free from contamination from the BP/Deepwater Horizon incident and response, and is safe to eat. Charlie Henry, Acting Director of the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center
Television Snapper season
Television Taylor style
Herbert J. Malone, Jr., President/CEO Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism