The Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is pleased to announce a partnership with Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) as their new marketing agency and website development firm. After a long selection period the CVB elected to collaborate with this nationally recognized, yet locally owned, public relations firm. In order to market more effectively, the CVB sought out to hire a full-service marketing agency to redesign its www.charlestonwv.com website. Proposal requests were issued separately to ensure the best agency was selected for the job.
Proposals were reviewed by a selection committee and it was decided to bring in the top two scoring agencies for oral presentations. Charles Ryan Associates and Stonewall Retail Marketing were asked to present a strategy directed toward Charleston residents in a “Bring It Home” campaign. Selection committee members included Alisa Bailey, CVB CEO; Jack Harrison, CVB Board Member; Mary Jean Davis, CVB Board Member; Judy Wellington, CVB board member and John Shaffer, Marketing Director for Luray Caverns, Va.
Both entities are looking forward to a strong partnership in the future.
“We are elated to be working for the City of Charleston and the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau,” said Susan Lavenski, Managing Partner at Charles Ryan Associates. “This is the city where our company was founded 38 years ago, so it has a great deal of special meaning for us to secure this partnership to work together to promote this destination.”
In an evolving effort, the Charleston CVB continues to brand Charleston, W.Va. as a destination city with something for everyone. New marketing initiatives include a recently introduced five-minute video and full staff.
Contact Jama Jarrett at 304.344.5075 for further information.
About the Charleston CVB
The Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes economic development through a strong visitor and meeting industry resulting in increased visitor spending for sustainable economic growth and enhanced quality of life in Charleston, W.Va. Last year, the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau booked 59 meetings, convention and sporting events, which resulted in an economic impact of $21,589,657 million for the city. Furthermore, convention South magazine and SportEvents Media Group acknowledged the Charleston West Virginia Convention & Visitors Bureau with two Readers’ Choice Awards for outstanding professionalism, creativity and dedication to the meetings, conventions and sports industry.
About Charles Ryan Associates
CRA is an integrated marketing communications firm specializing in advertising, public relations and interactive solutions with offices in Charleston and Morgantown, W.Va., and Richmond, Va. The firm is the oldest communications company headquartered in West Virginia and one of the most respected firms in the region. CRA has built a strong presence throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and continues to expand its Richmond and Morgantown operations.
