CVB enlists Indy marketing group for website creation

In December of last year, the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau (PCCVB) was awarded a Marketing Asset grant from the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD), funded through state-appropriated dollars.

The grant funds were targeted for the development of a countywide website portal which will increase awareness among leisure travelers and promote Putnam County assets, tourist destinations and amenities.

Since receiving the grant award, the PCCVB board of directors have been reviewing the respondents of the RFP (request for proposal) in order to select the vendor for the website project.

Board members weighed several critical factors, including website portfolios, combined staff qualifications, technical strengths, marketing intelligence and experience in working with tourism websites.

In a specially called June 7 board meeting, the PCCVB board of directors voted to contract with Matchbook Creative to develop and produce the new website.

Matchbook Creative is a strategic advertising and marketing agency headquartered in Indianapolis with clients around the nation.

The recipient of more than 40 creative awards, Matchbook has been recognized for its strategy, design, web and digital development and marketing services since its inception in 2007. Matchbook received the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Indiana InternNet's Employer of the Year nomination in 2014.

In addition to the sizable task of creating a new website, Matchbook Creative will work with PCCVB staff, stakeholders and community members with branding and marketing efforts for the PCCVB.

Per the terms and conditions of the IOTD grant, the new website must be up and running by end of this year. As website development plans go, that's an aggressive timeframe, new PCCVB Executive Director Nancy Mark noted.

However, with the input, support and collective talent of our stakeholders, the PCCVB is working to meet and exceed the development schedule on time and within budget, Mark added.

Board members of the PCCVB are enthused about this next important step for the organization.

"Having an intuitive, functional website that delivers results in the form of destination marketing for our stakeholders, innkeepers and customers is a critical component of our marketing strategy," board president Rick Patel said.

Eric Wolfe, board vice president added, "We are thrilled with the support and encouragement we've received from the community organizations and leaders, as we take the necessary steps to move forward in a positive and proactive direction."