SUNSET COUNTRY 101

Everything you need to know about your Sunset Country Membership Bringing tourists to Sunset Country for 43 years! Sunset Country’s goal is to grow Northwest Ontario’s visitor economy and generate revenue for our member operators and their businesses. We position the Sunset Country Region as ‘the’ place to go for outdoor adventure in Ontario. But we can’t do it alone, we need the support of the businesses and communities in Sunset Country to continue to bring in visitors.

What Does My Investment in Sunset Country Get Me?

What businesses are saying “The question I continually ask my colleagues in the tourism industry: do you want the biggest bang for your buck? The answer, loud and clear, a MEMBERSHIP IN SUNSET COUNTRY.

Customers sent direct to your business Enhanced listing in the 2018 Sunset Country Travel Guide Listing and detailed profile on visitsunsetcountry.com Qualified customer inquiry lists sent to you via email or download Distribution of your brochure at sport and travel shows Direct visitors/referrals to your business website Sharing of your posts on the 4 Sunset Country Facebook pages and other social media platforms Promotion/mention of your business in Sunset Country on-line blog posts

10% OFF

Early bird discount

on your membership fee & any print or banner ad buys if paid in full by July 31, 2017.

There are “good” and “better” tourism associations across the province but there is only one best – Sunset Country. As a member of Sunset Country in good standing for some 20+ years (probably more) we at KaBeeLo Lodge have gotten more (much more) than our annual dues. Frankly, we do not understand why every camp and/or lodge is not a member of Sunset Country and, if not, they should be. There may be bargains but this is the best bargain in today’s marketplace. You want to talk about Sunset Country? Give us a call at 800-233-2952.” Harald Lohn, KaBeeLo Lodge, Inc

Benefits of Membership Want to increase your business? We can help! Send customers direct to your business: By sending visitors directly to your website so they can book with you. By sending visitors to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page to be inspired by what you and your guests are doing. By consumers picking up the guide and directly visiting your restaurant, store or business.

Promote your business on the NEW website visitsunsetcountry.com: Launched in late summer of 2016, Sunset Country’s website is a fully responsive destination website that is modern, user friendly, and will work on any device or PC. Each member has a profile on the website linking to your own website. Banner ads are included with a Platinum level Membership and are available to others wanting increased visibility.

Promote your business in the sunset country Travel Guide & Map: Each paid member receives an enhanced listing in the Travel Guide. This includes a photo, 30 word description, contact info and basic amenity information. Opportunity to increase your presence with a fullcolour ad in the guide. (Recommended)

Producing qualified customer leads: The new website will have an option of a customer saving your listing to a “Bucket List” and will also be able to inquire about your business directly. You will also receive the daily and weekly inquiries.

Distribute brochures at Sport & Travel Shows: Sunset Country attends 5 Sport Shows where we not only distribute the Sunset Country Guide & Map but we also distribute your brochure. All members will have their brochure distributed at the 5 sport and travel shows that Sunset Country attends.

Promote your business on our social media pages: We have 4 Facebook pages as well as accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. With almost 168,000 fans on our 4 Facebook pages, your Facebook posts that we share have a much greater reach than if you were to just share it on your own page. Have a great photo? Tag Ontario’s Sunset Country in your post or post to our wall. We’ll try to share as many as we can.

Promote your business in Sunset Country’s blog posts: Your website will be linked to any relevant blog posts and articles on the Sunset Country website visitsunsetcountry.com as well as on northernontario.travel.

GET ADDITIONAL EXPOSURE THROUGH ADS IN eNEWSLETTERS OR TRAVEL GUIDE Digital ads are available for either eNewsletter. Advertise in the Consumer eNewsletter (to tourists) or in the Industry eNewsletter (to local businesses). Digital banner ads are available on visitsunsetcountry.com Print ads are available in the Travel Guide

Benefits of Regional Marketing How do we market the Sunset Country Region? Online - visitsunsetcountry.com

Social Media

The new Sunset Country website has dramatically increased website traffic as well as traffic to our members’ websites. With many new features such as a “Bucket List”, ‘teaser search results’ and a modern, mobile friendly interface, the website has performed much better than our expectations.

Ontario’s Sunset Country is a leader for social media marketing in Ontario. We have 167,860 fans on our 4 Facebook pages alone (up from 155,645 last year)! facebook.com/SunsetCountry facebook.com/HuntSunsetCountry facebook.com/SunsetCountryEvents facebook.com/ShopSunsetCountry twitter.com/Sunset_Country instagram.com/sunset_country pinterest.com/sunsetcountry youtube.com/user/SunsetCountryOntario We use our social media pages to promote your business to our larger fan base, exposing what you have to offer to qualified buyers.

New! eNewsletters All members get a listing on the website which includes a photo, map, contact info and links to your website and social media accounts, a video as well as general information about your business. The Sunset Country website is promoted with google ads words, Facebook ads and receives most of its traffic through targeted SEO.

Regional Travel Guide & Map

Sunset Country recently sent out our first online consumer eNewsletter. These monthly or bimonthly newsletters to consumers will keep Sunset Country at the top of visitors minds as well as informing them about what our members have to offer. Advertising is available in both the consumer eNewsletter as well as the newsletter to local businesses. Sunset Country is also creating a separate online newsletter for our members which will contain not only articles relating to our Association but industry highlights and information as well.

The Sunset Country Guide & Map is the number one choice used by tourists planning a vacation to Northwest Ontario. The full colour, glossy brochure covers the whole region and showcases our region and members in the best light. The poster-sized pull-out map showing your location has been a hit for a long time and many tourists keep it for years.

Content Marketing - blog posts

The guide is mailed to all our phone and email inquiries and is distributed at the Sport and Travel Shows we attend. Visitors can also download or view the interactive guide online. Overseas tourists or those that just can’t wait for the guide in the mail really appreciate this option. The guide & map are also available at many tourist info centres as well as businesses like hotels or bait & tackle shops.

custom bucket list INQUIRIES

Sunset Country publishes articles on both visitsunsetcountry.com as well as northernontario.travel. These articles are then promoted though our social media channels. Last year 166,983 people read the articles from Sunset Country on the northernontario.travel website alone. As a member of the Association you benefit from this content marketing.

Consumers who are searching for vacations on our website can place our members in a “bucket list”. Once they are done browsing the site they hit the button “Request Info Direct From Lodges”. An email will be sent to the members in their bucket. Watch for inquiries with the subject line: ‘Bucket Inquiry’ from Sunset Country Travel.

Membership Packages Accommodations: Resorts, Lodges, Outposts, & Houseboats PLATINUM LEVEL

GOLD LEVEL

For Platinum exclusively:

Listing in the Sunset Country Travel Guide which includes a photo, 30 word description, contact information as well as basic amenities Location dot on regional travel map Listing in Member Directory on back of map Link to your website on visitsunsetcountry.com A descriptive profile on our website with a photo, map, contact information, video, links to your website and social media sites Distribution of your brochure at the sport shows Consumer inquiry lists Mention in our blog posts (if applicable) with links to your website or Facebook page Shown before the standard level members on the website listings

Prominent in our website listings (Platinum members are shown above gold and standard level members in the listings) One run-of-site banner ad on visitsunsetcountry.com 1/4 page full colour ad in our Travel Guide (upgrade available) Additional 10 photos on your website profile

Additional benefits: Listing in the Sunset Country Travel Guide which includes a photo, 30 word description, contact information as well as basic amenities Location dot on regional travel map Listing in Member Directory on back of map Link to your website on visitsunsetcountry.com A descriptive profile on our website with a photo, map, contact information, video, links to your website and social media sites Distribution of your brochure at the sport shows Consumer inquiry lists Mention in our blog posts (if applicable) with links to your website or Facebook page

Membership fee: Before July 31, 2017.............. $1950 + HST After July 31, 2017.................. $2145 + HST

THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES A

1/4 PAGE COLOUR AD IN THE SUNSET COUNTRY GUIDE.

Membership fee: Before July 31, 2017................$660 + HST After July 31, 2017.....................$726 + HST

What businesses are saying “Fireside Lodge has been a Sunset Country Member since Audrey and I have been owners for the last 28 years. We have found the Director, Gerry Cariou, and the whole staff very accommodating, communicative, and dedicated to marketing the Sunset Country Region in a very effective manner, keeping very current during ever changing times, and delivering excellent results in a fair and equitable way for all of its members. We highly recommend any lodge considering another marketing avenue to join Sunset Country. I also welcome any one having any questions about Sunset Country to call myself or my wife Audrey at 800-545-0815.” Alan Brandys, Fireside Lodge

Membership Packages Accommodations: Hotels/Motels/ B&Bs, Campgrounds, & Canoe Outfitters STANDARD LEVEL Listing in the Sunset Country Travel Guide which includes a photo, 30 word description, contact information as well as basic amenities Location dot on regional travel map Listing in Member Directory on back of map Link to your website on visitsunsetcountry.com A descriptive profile on our website with a photo, map, contact information, video, links to your website and social media sites Distribution of your brochure at the sport shows Mention in our blog posts (if applicable) with links to your website or Facebook page Please note that this new level is only for hotels/motels/B&Bs, stand-alone campgrounds (no cabins) or canoe outfitters. If you have a lodge with a campground adjacent to the lodge, you do not need to buy a second membership as it will be included in your platinum or gold membership. There are no consumer inquiries included in the Standard level. If you would like the inquiries you must purchase Gold or Platinum. If you are a lodge, outpost or houseboat operator, you must buy the Platinum or Gold level.

Membership fee: Before July 31, 2016......... $355.50 + HST After July 31, 2016....................$395 + HST

Get Dotted on the Map!

NEED HELP DECIDING ON THE PACKAGE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU? Call us toll free at 1-800-665-7567 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. If you own more than one lodge or business, call us about discounts for your additional businesses.

Membership Packages Retail & Service Businesses Includes: Retailers, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, professional services, marinas, bait and tackle shops, boat dealers, car dealers, etc.

STANDARD RETAIL/ SERVICE LEVEL Listing in the Sunset Country Travel Guide which includes a photo, 30 word description, contact information as well as basic amenities Listing on the regional travel map Link to your website on visitsunsetcountry.com A descriptive profile on our website with a photo, map, contact information, links to your website and social media sites Distribution of your brochure at the sport shows Promoted on our social media pages such as facebook.com/ShopSunsetCountry Mention in our blog posts (if applicable) with links to your website or Facebook page podcasts

ALLIED RETAIL/SERVICE LEVEL 1/4 page ad in our printed summer newsletter and 3 ads in the local eNewsletters throughout the year. These newsletters are targeted to local businesses Listing in the Sunset Country Travel Guide which includes a photo, 30 word description, contact information as well as basic amenities Listing on the regional travel map Link to your website on visitsunsetcountry.com A descriptive profile on our website with a photo, map, contact information, links to your website and social media sites Distribution of your brochure at the sport shows Promoted on our social media pages such as facebook.com/ShopSunsetCountry Mention in our blog posts (if applicable) with links to your website or Facebook page

Membership fee: Before July 31, 2017.................$225 + HST After July 31, 2017.................... $250 + HST

Membership fee: Before July 31, 2017.................$775 + HST After July 31, 2017............. $852.50 + HST

Local Tourist Organizations Includes: Organizations whose PRIMARY FUNCTION is local tourism promotion and visitor services specifically, running a local tourist info centre within a Sunset Country community.

LTO LEVEL Listing in the Sunset Country Travel Guide which includes a photo, 30 word description, contact information as well as basic amenities Listing on the regional travel map Travel Information Centres are listed on the new foldout map Link to your website on visitsunsetcountry.com A profile on our website with a photo, location map, contact information, a video, links to your website and social media sites as well as information about your amenities Consumer inquiry lists Distribution of your brochure at the sport shows Promoted on our social media pages Mention in our blog posts (if applicable) with links to your website or Facebook page Major reference to your community and your organization on our website and in our blog posts

Sample banner ad promoted on facebook.com/sunsetcountryevents and on our events calendar A Student Travel Counsellor for your local Travel Information Centre (dependent on funding approval)

Membership fee: Before July 31, 2017................ $550 + HST After July 31, 2017.................... $605 + HST

2018 Advertising Rates Sunset Country Travel Guide The annual Ontario’s Sunset Country Travel Guide & Map is a full-colour, high quality glossy brochure with a pull-out map. The guide is printed and mailed out to visitors or given out at sport shows as well as being available as a interactive online guide.

WHY ADVERTISE IN THE SUNSET COUNTRY GUIDE? The guide is our main fulfillment piece. Anyone who calls the office, fills out an online form or visits our sport show booth receives a guide. Currently there is about 70% of the people that want the guide but don’t want to be put on the list to receive direct responses from our members. This is why having a print ad is important! Your ad is also on the interactive guide online. People can now view the guide online or download it. When viewing the guide online, the links in Travel Guide are interactive. This means when someone hovers over your web address, they can click it and go directly to your website. Sample 1/2 page ad (not to scale)

OUR ADVERTISING Rates for the 2018 Travel Guide include the design of your ad!

Sunset Country Travel Guide Ads Ad Size

Ad Dimensions

Before July 31*

After July 31

1/16 Page

3.625”w x 1.125”h

$280.50

$308.55

1/8 Page

3.625”w x 2.375”h

$544.50

$598.95

1/4 Page

3.625”w x 4.875”h

$1039.50

$1,143.45

1/2 Page

7.5”w x 4.875”h

$1809.50

$1,990.45

Full Page

8.125”w x 10.75”h

$3487.00

$3,835.70

Inside Fr/Bk Cover

8.125”w x 10.75”h

$4119.50

$4,531.45

* To qualify for the early booking discount, ads must be booked & paid for in full by July 31, 2017. If payment is not received by this time, you will be charged the full amount. All ad fees are due at the time of booking. Cheques, cash, e-transfer, and Visa or Mastercard are accepted. Prices are also subject to HST. Members with outstanding dues at the time of publication of the guide will not be listed in the guide.

2018 Advertising Rates Internet Banner Ads Increase your exposure on the internet with a banner ad on visitsunsetcountry.com The banner ads are run-of-site (ROS) which means the ad will appear randomly across the website. Banner ads are sold annually with the ad being on the website for one year from the time it goes live. All ads will follow a certain format with a price point or package attached.

Sample banner ad

Before July 31, 2017.................$675 + HST After July 31, 2017.................... $750 + HST

Payment policy Memberships and ads must be paid in full at time of renewal/booking. Cheques, cash, e-transfer, Visa or MasterCard accepted.

QUESTIONS? Membership and ad sales inquiries email [email protected] or [email protected] General inquiries email [email protected] or call 1-800-665-7567

Toll Free: 1-800-665-7567 Phone: 807-468-5853 Fax: 807-468-5484 PO Box 647, Kenora, ON Canada P9N 3X6 Email: [email protected]

visitsunsetcountry.com design & print: overdrive design labs | Ph: (807)468-8555 Toll Free: 1-866-682-3748

Social Media Marketing Package Take advantage of our social media audience with this new social media package. The package will run between 3-5 days where your business will dominate our social media accounts. Included in the package are: A feature blog post that will be shared on all of our social media accounts The blog article will be featured on our homepage of our website for the duration of the campaign and then displayed on relevant pages on our website The blog article will be shared in our new consumer eNewsletter 4 Facebook posts including a video if you have one and the sharing of your blog post $200 towards Facebook ads boosting your five Facebook posts. You get to choose the target audience! 5 Instagram posts featuring your business 5 Tweets about your business Help creating a Facebook page if you don’t have one

Before July 31, 2017................$900 + HST After July 31, 2017................ $1,000 + HST

eNewsletter Ads New for 2017! Monthly or bi-monthly Consumer eNewsletters are emailed to vacationers who have signed up for our eNewsletters. To advertise in the Consumer eNewsletter (Aimed at tourists), you must be a Sunset Country member in good standing. We also email out a separate Industry eNewsletter (Fall, Winter & Spring) to local businesses in Northwest Ontario in which ads are available for purchase. Ads for both eNewsletters will be one size.

Consumer eNewsletter: One-time Placement..............$200 + HST 3 Ad Placements......................$450 + HST Industry eNewsletter: One-time Placement............... $150 + HST 3 Ad Placements...................... $350 + HST