Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Issues Marketing RFP
The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is initiating a planning process directed toward implementing the economic development goals of our current Management Plan (strategic plan) relating to supporting Gullah Geechee heritage-related tourism and businesses in our National Heritage Area.
Background:
Both the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and the federal Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission established to oversee it, were designated by an act of Congress on October 12, 2006, through the National Heritage Areas Act of 2006. The Corridor is a federal National Heritage Area. A National Heritage Area is a site that represents a significant story of local, regional, national, and even global importance. You can learn more about the NHA program at www.nps.gov/subjects/heritageareas. The designation of the Corridor as a federal National Heritage Area recognizes the Gullah Geechee people for maintaining their cultural traditions.
The intent of the designation is to help us to preserve and interpret the traditional cultural practices, sites, and resources associated with Gullah Geechee people. The primary duty of the 15-member Commission is to implement the Management Plan for the Corridor. You can find a copy of the plan on our website at gullahgeecheecorridor.org. The Commission operates with funding primarily from government grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service in addition to private donations. Currently, the Commission has 14 members who reside in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
Scope of Work:
This is a one-year planning process with all work expected to be completed by June 30, 2020. The planned work involves the need for (a) market research and (b)for the development of a strategic tourism plan that includes consideration of the possible placement of a Coastal Heritage Center(s). We will accept proposals for either or both components of the project. The market research needs include research and evaluation of the current image or impression of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor as a travel destination by potential visitors as well as local stakeholders in the heritage tourism sector. The strategic tourism plan will include a determination of the target market for the Corridor and the best methods for attracting that sector of the overall tourism market. It will also include a plan for marketing the Corridor in partnership with state and local tourism authorities, local attractions, and tourism-related businesses. We anticipate deciding on the RFP by October 4, 2019. Expected project start date can be no later than November 1, 2019. We would like to present the results of the market research to the Commission at their May 2020 regularly, scheduled meeting. A presentation on the strategic tourism plan will be scheduled for the Commission’s regularly scheduled August 2020 meeting.
Due Date:
September 18, 2019
Address:
Ms. Page Meyer, Operations Manager, Gullah
Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, P.O. Box 1007, Johns Island, SC 29457-1007
Travel Pr agencies include 5WPR and Hunter PR.
