What's Making News

Let’s face it. Most destinations promote the same visitor experience, “Explore (your destination here). Discover world-class shopping, dining, recreation, attractions, events and lodging.” No wonder competition is fierce. While differentiation is king, few have mastered it.

Now, imagine if you promoted the local character and places that give your destination its flavor and color like the local diner, the legendary surf shop, the funky art district, and those quirky home grown events. Promoting these local gems can help differentiate you from the pack of sameness and give you a competitive advantage.

Posted On: October 31, 2008

The California Traveler© is a syndicated online marketing research study conducted by SMG that quantifies California residents’ attitudes, behaviors and perceptions about travel. The statewide survey collected data from an online consumer panel of 880 California residents. SMG developed the study to provide visitor and convention bureaus with affordable statewide visitor data that includes statistical information on destination visitations, trip frequency, ad awareness, travel spending, trip planning, activity participation, lifestyle profiles and demographics.

Posted On: September 3, 2008

Don't miss the SMG Marketing Blog for the latest in technology as it relates to tourism, marketing, and the odd bit of humor.

Posted On: July 8, 2008

South Lake Tahoe, CA – As oil prices jump daily as the dollar declines, it’s clear we’re living in volatile economic times. While economic turmoil is nothing new to the U.S., Brian Baker of Cultivar Marketing and Carl Ribaudo of Strategic Marketing Group ask the question “Have we entered into something new?” in their new white paper, Dispatches from the Marketplace, The Implication of High Oil Prices on Direct Marketing Organizations.

Posted On: June 13, 2008

Kings Beach, CA – As economic analysts bat around the “R” word and prices at the pump increase almost daily it’s easy for those whose livelihoods rely on tourism to be concerned. Yet it’s times like these where marketing and innovative thinking are even more imperative for a company’s success. This gives tourism executives all the more reason to attend the SMG Tourism Conference at Lake Tahoe, a one day event that combines new marketing ideas, innovation, networking and great food.

Posted On: April 18, 2008

South Lake Tahoe, CA - The Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) recently announced completion of the first comprehensive California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC) Rural Tourism Marketing Plan. The development of the Rural Tourism Marketing Plan was a key element of the recently approved $50 million California marketing budget.

Posted On: January 24, 2008

Sustainability & Authenticity: Marketing Your Destination’s Unique Character is the theme of the eighth annual SMG Tourism Conference at Lake Tahoe to be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Embassy Suites Resort in South Lake Tahoe, CA from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with an adjoining trade show exhibition area also open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. New for 2007, the conference will by followed by a Geotourism Dinner Cruise on the Tahoe Queen, featuring a panel discussion moderated by the National Geographic Society.

Posted On: May 15, 2007

Geotourism may not be a familiar concept to tourism executives, but as Jonathan Tourtellot, the Director of National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations explains, it plays a critical role in the long-term success for tourism destinations. Put simply, it is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

Posted On: May 15, 2007

South Lake Tahoe, CA - The Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) recently completed its first ever California Traveler© research study, a syndicated survey of California residents’ travel decisions, attitudes, perceptions and behaviors conducted annually

Posted On: May 2, 2007

Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) is proud to announce that the eighth annual SMG Tourism Conference at Lake Tahoe will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Embassy Suites Resort in South Lake Tahoe, CA.   This year's event, Sustainability and Authenticity: Marketing Your Destination's Unique Character, will feature timely presentations relevant to anyone working in tourism.

Posted On: March 4, 2007

For over fifteen years the Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) has successfully been assisting DMOs with their marketing and management needs. During this time it has observed a wide variety of organizations from the big to small and from city to rural. One key element it has witnessed is that the more successful organizations (no matter the size) have taken the time to develop a vision and strategic direction for the organization with their Board of Directors and staff.

Posted On: October 3, 2006

South Lake Tahoe, CA - While most tourism destinations would like to maximize their website’s effectiveness, many are unsure of where and how to begin. From search engine optimization to search engine marketing, rich media to contextual ads, eyetracking versus usability, the amount of information and research regarding online strategy is overwhelming, and distilling it into practical tactics can be difficult.

Posted On: December 8, 2005

The Strategic Marketing Group is happy to announce three new marketing services to help California tourism destinations develop alternative funding sources and profitable new markets. SMG Business Improvement District (BID) Development Service As more and more destinations continue to see their budgets cut, some leaders have turned to the development of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as a means to restore and secure future tourism funding.

Posted On: December 8, 2005

As Lake Tahoe continues to evolve, many opportunities for marketing and new business development are emerging. Along with these opportunities come some challenges that require creativity and innovation.

Posted On: June 13, 2005

Emerging Opportunities, Creative Challenges” is the theme of the sixth annual SMG Lake Tahoe Tourism Conference to be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at the Embassy Suites Resort from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. A networking cocktail party will follow immediately afterwards from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. As Lake Tahoe continues to evolve as a destination, many opportunities for marketing and new business development are emerging.

Posted On: May 26, 2005

Over the past five years, the State of California has faced significant funding challenges. State politicians have increasingly turned to appropriating local funds as one method of balancing the State budget, which has put increased pressure on local cities and counties, resulting in many regions reducing their tourism funding. As a result, numerous tourism communities are looking to combat this trend and restore a source of funds that cannot be allocated for other purposes.

Posted On: February 15, 2005

A logo and brand positioning statement developed by the Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) was recently selected for Leadership Lake Tahoe from numerous submissions. SMG developed the image and positioning statement with the goal of capturing the essence of the organization and the lifelong skills that are developed by the program participants.

Posted On: January 9, 2005

As the excitement of the New Tahoe Era continues to grow and the destination transitions, so do the opportunities for marketing and new business development. The New Tahoe Era, the most extensive renovation period in recent history, is characterized by new village development, corporate ownership, a new Lake Tahoe identity, lake-wide enhancements and environmental improvements.

Posted On: May 23, 2004

The 2003 SMG Visitor and Convention Bureau Marketing and Strategy Benchmark Practices Survey is a compilation of marketing information and strategies currently being implemented at visitor and convention bureaus in California and Nevada.

Posted On: May 23, 2004

As Lake Tahoe continues to redefine itself with new Villages, infrastructure enhancements, capital investments and new owners, a New Tahoe Era is emerging. To better understand this transformation; more than 215 people attended the fourth annual SMG Lake Tahoe Tourism Conference held in South Shore.

Posted On: June 17, 2003

For the fifth year, SMG has conducted the SMG Visitor and Convention Bureau Marketing and Strategy Benchmark Practices Survey, a compilation of marketing information and strategies currently being implemented at visitor and convention bureaus around the country.

Posted On: February 5, 2002

In a Strategic Marketing Group survey of over a hundred visitor and convention bureau executives nationwide, 46% indicated they anticipate events of September 11 to have an impact on their destination business levels over 4 months. The finding was part of the Strategic Marketing Group's 2001 Visitor and Convention Bureau Marketing and Strategy Benchmark Practices Survey.

Posted On: February 4, 2002

More than 160 guests from South Shore, North Shore, Reno, San Francisco and Sacramento attended the third annual SMG South Shore Tourism Conference, held Tuesday, January 29, 2002. Designed to educate the attendees about the current visitor market and the key challenges and opportunities facing South Shore, the conference continued to address the extensive capital improvements taking place throughout South Lake Tahoe.

Posted On: February 4, 2002

SMG has launched a new hospitality consulting practice to complement its tourism and recreation marketing services. The new practice is designed to assist lodging properties in the western states to increase their competitiveness by sharpening and enhancing their marketing efforts. Expanded hospitality services and products include sales and marketing analytical tools, planning models, training products and on-site consultation.

Posted On: January 11, 2002

Carl Ribaudo, President of the Strategic Marketing Group, recently led a panel discussion on Sustainable Tourism at the California Rural Tourism Conference held October 7-9 in Yosemite, California. The panel included experts in the area of sustainable tourism including Carl Hasty, Deputy Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Association, Bob Garrison, an independent consultant, and Terry LeBan, Executive Director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Posted On: December 19, 2001

Carl Ribaudo, president of the Strategic Marketing Group, has been appointed to the Advisory board for the Tourism and Recreation Department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The Advisory Board provides advise and insight to the faculty about tourism and recreation trends and issues that are critical to curriculum development within these fields. Ribaudo was selected due to his extenisive experience and background in tourism and education.

Posted On: December 16, 2001

The Strategic Marketing Group was recently hired by the Yosemite/Sierra Visitors Bureau to develop and implement a research program to identify needs and opportunities to further develop the southern Yosemite corridor's winter business. Research methods used include interviews with the local business market conducted by SMG staff and a quantitative mail survey to be sent to the visitors bureau’s database of recent visitors. An analysis of the collected data and interviewee's input will be presented to the Yosemite/Sierra Visitors Bureau in a final report that will include the results as well as specific recommendations outlining the next steps for implementing the proposed winter promotional marketing efforts with the goal to increase winter visitations.

Posted On: August 27, 2001

The 120 guests who attended the second annual SMG South Shore Tourism Conference, held Wednesday, January 3, 2001, gained valuable insight with regard to the many exciting changes occurring throughout South Shore emanating from the Redevelopment enhancements. The annual conference, andquot;Understanding the Future of South Shore Tourismandquot; is designed to educate the community about the current visitor market and the pivotal strategic issues impacting the future of South Shore tourism.

Posted On: January 21, 2001

The Strategic Marketing Group and Precision Communications recently completed a Tourism Strategic Plan for the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Convention Bureau. The plan was designed to assess the County’s current tourism promotion situation and to provide specific recommendations to make the County more competitive and attractive to visitors.

Posted On: February 15, 2000

The Strategic Marketing Group of South Lake Tahoe recently developed "Cultural Tourism in Rural Nevada, an Inspiring View of Economic Growth" for the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

Posted On: January 10, 2000