Vermilion is getting its name out and people are starting to notice.
The town was involved with a marketing partnership with several Alberta communities which ended up falling short of an Alberta Tourism Award. The marketing campaign, called #SkiNorthAB, was one of the finalists for a Marketing Partnership Award and promoted winter experiences on regional ski hills and trails.
The communities and businesses involved with the partnership were Vermilion Provincial Park, Grand Prairie Regional Tourism, Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park, Marmot Basin, Tourism Jasper, Fort McMurray Tourism, Vista Ridge Ski Resort and Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort.
The awards recognize individuals and organizations committed to enriching Alberta’s tourism industry. Mary Lee Prior, the Economic Development Officer for the town of Vermilion, says the exposure is putting a spotlight on the town.
“It’s huge for Vermilion. We’re a small municipality and a small community but we like to think we’re bigger than we are and we want people to know where we are and what we offer.”
While not directly involved with the campaign, the town of Vermilion had a part in the award-winning campaign. Go East of Edmonton won the 2019 Marketing Partnership Alto Award for their work in digital marketing promoting communities east of Edmonton.
“They’ve done a fabulous job and we’re proud of them.”
Prior says all the attention will help build interest in the local businesses as well as possibly bring people in to stay.
“There is a great opportunity in our community to start a business, to retire, to bring a new family. There are so many opportunities here and we’re hoping this brings more traffic through.”
Prior was involved with another marketing campaign, #TakeItToTheLake, which received a Marketing Canada Award in September. It was a social media campaign showcasing different attractions and experiences in the Lakeland region.
“I think in this day and age if you are a standalone community it’s very hard to get that regional or provincial awareness. Where I see communities going is collaborative arrangements and regional partnerships in order to have a stronger voice and bring travellers to our area.”
Prior says she and other members from Northern Alberta communities are already in the process of planning another marketing campaign