Ulster County Tourism and Focus Media honored in External Publications category
KINGSTON, N.Y. (Jan. 26, 2012) – The 2011 Ulster County Travel Guide has been honored with a Gold Award in the 9th Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA).
The guide, developed by Ulster County Tourism and Focus Media, Inc., was recognized in the awards’ External Publications category. It was released in May by Ulster County Tourism as part of its overall marketing efforts that promote the outstanding travel opportunities offered throughout the county.
“I am delighted that Ulster County Tourism has received such a prestigious award for our 2011 travel guide,” Ulster County Executive Mike Hein said. “Out of 2,000 entries, our guide was one of just 146 publications to be singled out as a Gold Award winner. Since the travel guide is one of our main marketing tools to attract tourists to the county, I’m incredibly proud that our guide ranks among the best in the nation.”
The 68-page, full-color publication broke new ground last year and added a number of features to make it more user-friendly and interactive, including a pullout map that charts the county’s recreational and cultural hotspots. Its graphic design has effectively captured the area’s scenic beauty and activities, and a QR code on the back allows readers to quickly and easily add themselves to the mailing list for the 2012 guide.
“Thanks in part to this publication and many other marketing efforts, we’ve seen a boost in our county tourism industry this year,” said Ulster County Tourism Director Richard J. Remsnyder. “This award showcases the hard work that has been put into the 2011 Tourism Guide, and is another example of what makes Ulster County such a great place to visit and live.”
The publication was recognized by the SIAA for its creativity, design and effective communication to its target audiences. The awards are dedicated entirely to the service industry nationwide, with more than 400 advertising agencies and over 1,000 institutions participating this year. Out of more than 2,000 entries, the SIAA’s panel of judges gave out 146 Gold, 111 Silver and 88 Bronze awards.
“We’re very proud to be in a great partnership with Ulster County Tourism,” said Josh Sommers, President and CEO of Focus Media. “Between Ulster County and Focus Media, everyone put forth a great effort. We look forward to working with Ulster County Tourism in putting together an even more impressive publication this year.”
Ulster County has a wide range of travel destinations available, including 250,000 acres of forever-wild land that features over 350 miles of trails and 35 peaks. Just 90 miles outside of Manhattan, the county has biking, kayaking, wind surfing, biking, golf, fishing in the warmer months and skiing, snow-shoeing and skating in the colder months for visitors.
