Grand County Colorado Tourism Board REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Public Relations, August 2023
Submittal deadline for proposals September 30th, 2023
GCCTB Mission Statement
We inspire a sustainable, year-round tourism economy in Grand County with an emphasis on strengthening the vitality of our communities, celebrating our localculture and traditions, and respecting our environment and resources.
INTRODUCTION:
The Grand County Colorado Tourism Board (GCCTB) has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify a qualified contractor to provide public relations services.
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
The Grand County Colorado Tourism Board (GCCTB) is a non-profit organization
with 12 volunteer Board representatives appointed by the Grand County Board of Commissioners.
The Board operates through funds generated by the Lodging Tax of 1.8%, paid by visitors staying in lodging properties, excluding the “Town of Winter Park”.
Additional funding comes through grants from the Colorado Tourism Office and website advertising.
The goal of GCCTB is to drive tourism to Grand County and increase bookings through chambers, lodging properties, activity vendors and other tourism entities.
OBJECTIVE:
The general scope of services to be obtained as a result of this RFP includes professional public relations with the primary purpose of promoting Grand County Colorado by working with area tourism partners, chambers of commerce, lodging properties, tour operators, Colorado Tourism Office, etc. Applicant selected to submit Proposals must submit a plan that will include the integration of public relations with marketing, destination stewardship, technology, , research and promotions.
PUBLIC RELATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES:
Services that shall be required under the specific direction of the GCCTB include, but are not limited to the following:
A) Familiarity with the Grand County tourism industry, including marketing, public relations, research, and resources.
B) Perform the work described below for a sum plus reimbursement for expenses, an amount to be reviewed annually. The current contract commitment is approximately 400 hours annually.
C) Expand and maximize opportunities through collaborative relationships with
Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Kremmling, and Hot Sulphur Springs
Chambers of Commerce; Scenic Byways promotional group, Economic Development,
D) Plan and host press trips in coordination with the vendor’s contacts, the CTO, and other deemed partners.
E) Strategic Communications Planning: Develop a comprehensive public relations strategy aligned with our organization’s goals and objectives. This should include identifying target audiences, key messages, and appropriate communication channels.
F) Media Relations: Establish and maintain relationships with relevant media outlets, journalists, and influencers. Proactively pitch story ideas, press releases, and media advisories to generate positive media coverage. Manage media inquiries and coordinate interviews and media appearances.
G) Content Creation: Create compelling and engaging content for various platforms, including press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and website content. Ensure consistent messaging and branding across all communication materials.
H) Crisis Management: Develop a crisis communication plan and provide guidance and support in managing potential crises or reputation issues.
Develop key messages, prepare spokespeople, and handle media inquiries with the executive director during crisis situations.
I) Stakeholder Engagement: Develop strategies to effectively engage with our stakeholders, including community members, clients, partners, and employees. Organize events, and other initiatives to foster positive relationships and promote our organizations mission.
J) Measurement and Reporting: Provide monthly reports on the effectiveness of public relations efforts, including media coverage, social media metrics, and key performance indicators. Identify areas for improvement and make recommendations for optimizing communications strategies.
K) Make recommendations for budget savings where appropriate. Support all policies of the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board. Maintain a high level of confidentiality as it relates to the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board.
