The (short) playoff run of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks was a boost for Tourism Vernon.
It gave hockey fans across the country a glimpse into life in the North Okanagan courtesy of 15- and 30-second video ads that were played during the recent Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"We ran the ads in the first two rounds, then Vancouver got eliminated," said Tourism Vernon marketing coordinator Hannah Lucich, in a presentation to council Monday, June 24. "It got more and more expensive to run the ads the further the Edmonton Oilers went.
"The new brand video is currently in markets across Canada and into the US in two television advertising campaigns with Rogers Media and NG Media. The commercial aired during the many major sport games, including professional hockey and baseball."
A digital version of the video is available for viewing on Tourism Vernon’s YouTube Channel.
The videos have been a hit with the public, said Lucich, and with Vernon council.
"I could watch them over and over," said Coun. Teresa Durning.
The video campaign is part of three examples of Tourism Vernon's new branding in action.
There is a new branded wrap on the Tourism Vernon vehicle, which has been spotted around the North Okanagan.
"Tourism Vernon’s vehicle has been re-wrapped with the brand colours, fonts and imagery," said Lucich. "The vehicle is a key marketing initiative from May – August when the visitor services team attends events and are out in the community providing information to locals and visitors."
The 2024-25 Vernon Visitor Guide has had 30,000 copies printed and ready for distribution across B.C., Alberta (including Visitor Information Centres), airports, and BC Ferries. The guide has also been placed at local hotels, campgrounds, restaurants and tourism-related businesses.
"This year’s guide is 72 pages and includes Vernon’s tourism partners, popular attractions and information for visitors such as maps, trip ideas and contact information for local businesses and travel organizations," said Lucich. "The new features this year include camping information, dog-friendly travel information and suggested itineraries for each season."
A digital version of the guide is available for viewing on Tourism Vernon’s website (tourismvernon.com) and will be shared electronically via Tourism Vernon’s consumer, media and industry e-newsletters.