Richland County’s tourism revitalization continues, propelled by innovative new projects and strategic marketing efforts that were highlighted in a recent meeting of the Richland County Commissioners. From unveiling a brand-new visitor guide to celebrating iconic cultural moments, here’s a detailed look at what’s unfolding in Richland County:
The Launch of a Redesigned Visitor Guide
During the Commissioners’ meeting, Lee Tasseff, president of Destination Mansfield-Richland County, unveiled the new iteration of a fully branded visitor guide. This new guide, the fourth in its series focusing on lifestyle, was produced in an impressive run of 880,000 copies. It’s designed to captivate and inform with stunning imagery and interactive QR codes, ensuring that every reader can delve deeper into what makes Richland County a must-visit location. An aerial photograph of the historical Ohio State Reformatory during Inkcarceration on page 32 is one of many striking visuals featured in the guide.
Enhanced Local Distribution: A Community-Centric Approach
Tassef emphasized the strategic shift towards greater local accessibility for the visitor guide, marking a departure from past distribution practices. The guides are now readily available at key community locations such as City Hall, public libraries, and other civic institutions, as well as hotels, ensuring that residents and visitors alike have easy access to comprehensive information about the area’s attractions.
Shawshank’s 30th Anniversary: A Yearlong Celebration
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of “The Shawshank Redemption,” a film integral to Richland County’s identity, shot at the iconic Ohio State Reformatory. The anniversary is being celebrated through a series of promotional activities and themed events that leverage the movie’s legacy to enhance tourist interest and local pride. Billboards along Highways 30 and 71 and features in the visitor guide are just the beginning of this extensive campaign.
Strategic Marketing to Spotlight Richland’s Attractions
The new visitor guide is central to Destination Mansfield-Richland County’s marketing strategy, aimed at drawing tourists while enriching the community’s engagement with its cultural and historical assets. By linking the guide’s distribution and content to significant local events and themes, Richland County is poised to enhance its appeal to a broader audience, encouraging both tourism and local participation.
The new Visitors Guide can be viewed here. Be sure to check out page 32!
Photo: Destination Mansfield – Richland County
