Aurora Area CVB receives McDaniel Award for Bureau Innovation

A cutting edge strategy to increase engagement and exposure through social media, introduction of getaway packages and mobile marketing has earned the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau the 2013 McDaniel Award for Bureau Innovation by the Upper Midwest Convention & Visitors Bureaus, an association that includes Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The Aurora Area CVB nomination featured a multimedia campaign that highlighted the 20th Anniversary of one of the Area’s biggest destination drivers - Hollywood Casino Aurora. It was results-driven and included several disciplines of marketing, such as display media, mobile media, e-mail, blog, sweepstakes and social media.
“This honor only goes to the best and brightest in the industry,” said destination marketing legend Bill Geist, who presented the award.
The Award is named after UMCVB founder Bruce McDaniel and honors one CVB that demonstrates unique concepts in marketing that will benchmark today’s tourism industry norms.
“We are delighted that the UMCVB board chose our bureau for this prestigious award,” said Aurora Area CVB Executive Director Chris Hamilton. “Over the past couple of years, we have continued to elevate the level of our marketing and public relations efforts significantly to grow the exposure and draw to the Aurora Area.”
Hamilton accepted the award on behalf of the Aurora Area CVB during the UMCVB’s recent annual conference.
“Our marketing committee and its chair, Mark Sejd, have been a driving force in our movement, our board of directors has enthusiastically supported some sweeping changes and our marketing department did a great job of navigating and implementing many new initiatives,” said Hamilton. “This team effort has helped propel us to a new level of modern digital and interactive tourism marketing. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
For more information about the Aurora Area CVB, go to www.EnjoyAurora.com. For more information about UMCVB, go to www.umcvbfallconference.com.  #     #     #  The Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau serves as the tourism marketing and management organization for Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Hinckley, North Aurora, Montgomery, Plano, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Yorkville. This not-for-profit organization provides numerous travel resources to visitors via www.EnjoyAurora.com.