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Spotlight
Destination Marketing Program
Destination Marketing: Educating the Potential Visitor
As destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus must educate potential visitors on reasons to visit their destinations. For the Columbia region, many are unaware of the area's attributes for visitors. With diverse target audiences - including those interested in family activities, historic sites, outdoor adventure, romantic getaways, culinary experiences, arts, culture and more - Columbia Metropolitan CVB must advertise and market in order to tout our region's attributes. A special budget has been put into place to increase general awareness of Columbia as a destination.
The Destination Specific Grant Program: A Statewide Partnership
The Destination Specific Grant Program, put into place by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, offers the state's top tourist destinations, able to raise $500,000 or more of private funds, special funding to further the destination's marketing efforts. For each private dollar raised, the state will match 50 cents to be used to market the destination and its assets.
Destinations such as Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head raise millions of private dollars each year, and therefore, obtain substantial marketing funds. The Columbia area has been able to raise approximately $600,000 annually over the past four years. Our goal is to increase awareness of this program within our local hotel community, thus increasing the total match amount available. With this program in place, each $1.00 raised enables the CVB to leverage $1.50 on marketing aimed to bring new visitors to the Columbia region.
How Can My Property Participate?
To participate, a Destination Marketing Fee of $1.00 plus South Carolina state sales tax (7% in Lexington County and 8% in Richland County) would be added to all guest folios. At the point of check-out, the guest has the opportunity to pay the fee and applicable associated tax, or opt out upon request. No money comes out of the hotel budget.
Preferred Partner BenefitsEnhanced Visibility + Free and Discounted Advertising + Additional Preferred Partner Benefits
Hotel partners who participate in the Destination Marketing Program become "Preferred Partners" and receive exclusive benefits beyond the standard partnership services.
Enhanced Visibility (Exclusive to Preferred Partners)
- Free priority listing, highlighted as Preferred Hotel and ranking above non-Preferred Hotel listings on columbiacvb.com and mobile site
- Free Preferred Hotel listing, highlighted and enhanced, in the Columbia Official Visitors Guide
- Free rack space to distribute hotel brochures at Columbia Regional Visitors Center
Advertising
- Free online advertising on columbiacvb.com, including 120x90 hotel banner ad and custom "Spotlight" text ad
- Complimentary inclusion in convention print advertisements: property name, photo and phone number
- Discounted advertising rates in Columbia Official Visitors Guide
- Discounted cooperative advertising rates
- Priority notification on participation in marketing projects, special programs and cooperative advertising
Additional Benefits
- Complimentary email list of opt-ins collected from annual Southern Living leisure advertising campaign. New benefit in 2013
- Property listing as Preferred Hotel in each meeting/convention proposal or guide produced by sales team (Approx. 200 annually) New benefit beginning mid-2013
- Presence or promotional item distribution at applicable tradeshows
- Discounted Hospitality Hotspotters registration ($10.00 off) for participating staff members to each training session
Showcase Your Business through the Destination Marketing Program
If you're looking for ways to help your business stand out in the minds of visitors and meeting planners, contact our partnership services manager, Barbara Chambers, at 803.545.0021 or bchambers@columbiacvb.com to become a Destination Marketing partner.Download the Destination Marketing Program: Preferred Partner PDF
Participating Preferred Partners
Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast Fort Jackson Area
- 1551 Barbara Drive
- Columbia, SC 29223
- Phone: (803) 865-8000
- Region: Richland NE & Ft. Jackson
See how southern charm lives on amidst the historical, cultural, and natural wonders of the state capital, Columbia. The Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast is conveniently located between I-77 and I-20,...More
Inn at USC Wyndham Garden Columbia
- 1619 Pendleton Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 779-7779
- Region: Columbia City Center
Welcome to the Inn at USC. This elegant boutique hotel, located on the historic campus of the University of South Carolina in the heart of downtown Columbia, boasts 117 luxurious guestrooms and...More
Hampton Inn Downtown Historic District
- 822 Gervais Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 231-2000
- Region: Columbia City Center
Located in the heart of Downtown, our finely appointed guestrooms are equipped with every modern convenience while maintaining the look and feel of the surrounding Historic District.ÿ Rich colors and...More
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC
- 630 Assembly Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 799-7800
- Region: Columbia City Center
Location is everything! Staying at the Courtyard® Columbia Downtown at USC you are walking distance to the Historic Vista District robust with history, shopping and night life. Our hotel is 5 blocks...More
SpringHill Suites by Marriott-Columbia Downtown/The Vista
- 511 Lady Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 978-2333
- Region: Columbia City Center
Located in the heart of the Vista area and Downtown Columbia. Our hotel has more than 3000 square feet of meeting space as well as a full-service bar. We are perfect for business travelers, social...More
Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
- 1400 Main Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 988-1400
- Region: Columbia City Center
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience at the most unique hotel in downtown Columbia. As the first high rise (circa 1913) and the once tallest building in Columbia, it is an excellent example of early 20th...More
Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Columbia Northeast
- 120 Blarney Drive
- Columbia, SC 29223
- Phone: (803) 760-1700
- Region: Richland NE & Ft. Jackson
Located near everything Columbia has to offer for both business and leisure travelers, we are 10 minutes from downtown and only minutes from Fort Jackson. Smoke-free facility features free hot...More
Hilton Columbia Center
- 924 Senate Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 744-7800
- Region: Columbia City Center
Experience our intimate and upscale Hiltonr Columbia Center hotel in Columbia South Carolina, ideally located in the center of the financial, entertainment and historic district. Elegant in atmosphere...More
Affordable Suites Deluxe
- 150 Stoneridge Drive
- Columbia, SC 29210
- Phone: (803) 779-7000
- Region: Columbia City Center
For your extended stays of a week or more, or even just for a night or two, the Affordable Suites Deluxe is a great choice when you're looking for hotels in Columbia, SC.ÿ The hotel is conveniently...More
Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Harbison
- 434 Columbiana Drive
- Columbia, SC 29212
- Phone: (803) 407-6640
- Region: Irmo- St. Andrews/Harbison
Located conveniently off I-26 in Northwest Columbia near the Columbiana Mall, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Columbia, South Carolina is the perfect choice for business and leisure travelers. Each...More
The Whitney Hotel
- 700 Woodrow Street
- Columbia, SC 29205
- Phone: (803) 252-0845
- Region: Columbia City Center
The Whitney Hotel is an all-suite property located in the historic Shandon neighborhood minutes away from a variety of specialty shops and restaurants. The Whitney Hotel offers complimentary airport...More
Clarion Hotel Downtown
- 1615 Gervais Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 771-8711
- Region: Columbia City Center
Southern hospitality, spacious rooms, first-class amenities and unparalleled service abound at Clarion Hotel Downtown in Columbia, South Carolina. Neatly situated near the downtown business district,...More
Columbia Marriott Hotel
- 1200 Hampton Street
- Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: (803) 771-7000
- Region: Columbia City Center
Situated in the heart of downtown, our beautifully renovated Columbia hotel offers the quality accommodations and hallmark service you have come to expect from Marriott. Our Columbia hotel offers the...More
The Inn at Claussen's
- 2003 Greene Street
- Columbia, SC 29205
- Phone: (803) 765-0440
- Region: Columbia City Center
The Inn at Claussen's is a stylish 28-room boutique hotel located in the heart of Columbia's charming Five Points, within walking distance of the University of South Carolina and minutes from the...More
Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia-Airport
- 110 McSwain Drive
- West Columbia, SC 29169
- Phone: (803) 391-4000
- Region: West Columbia/ Cayce/Airport
Introducing the newest addition to the Palmetto State Capital, the Holiday Inn & Suites West Columbia - Airport, South Carolina! Columbia’s first eco-friendly non-smoking hotel designed for LEED...More
