Appreciation Program Targets Area Visitors

     Destin, FL, June 16 - “People have unlimited choices of where to spend their vacation, and they chose to come to Destin,” said the Chamber’s Vice Chair of Communication and Marketing Bill Lindsley, Simple HR.

     Lindsley developed the “Thank You Campaign” to let visitors know that area businesses appreciate them coming to Destin and are glad that they are here. This campaign, which was launched by the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Inc., has become a hit among many area businesses.

     The concept is simple; participating businesses are asked to genuinely and sincerely say “thank you” while assisting and interacting with area visitors. This campaign is free and easy to implement and is designed to thank people for spending their vacation dollars in Destin.

     The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce will be distributing 250 posters and 1,000 buttons to Chamber member businesses to help promote the campaign. Participating businesses are asked to put up the posters where they are visible to the public and for their employees to wear the buttons. Businesses should also train their employees to say, “Thank you for visiting Destin. We’re glad you’re here!”

     When developing this unique concept, Lindsley had two goals in mind: to make visitors feel appreciated and to ensure that people return to Destin next year. While achieving these two goals is the aim of the campaign, area businesses will also benefit from the momentum and loyalty that will be established from sincerely thanking their customers.

     “During these economic times, people are sacrificing to go on a vacation, and the hospitality that they receive in Destin will be remembered,” said Lindsley. “Not only will people be back, but they will tell others about their experiences in Destin, which will bring in more people through word of mouth.”

     Participants that have thus far jumped on the “Thank You Campaign” bandwagon include AAA Insurance & Travel, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, Breakers East Condominium, Bruster's Ice Cream, Candlewood Suites, Chartwell Hospitality, Chuck Lawson - Tropical Island Music, Club Sun Tanning Salon, Comfort Inn, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc., CRC Data Technologies, Destin Air Charters, Destin Commons (all 75 stores), Destin Floral Designs, Destin Inn & Suites, Destin Woman’s Club, Easy Street Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals, Embassy Suites Hotel Destin-Miramar Beach, Gulf Coast Shutter, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Kent’s Special Events, Papa John’s, Pleat & Perry, P.A., Qivana, Real Estate Professionals of Destin, Regional Self Storage, Regions Bank, Roebuck Auctions, Rug Decor of Destin, San Gelato Café, SEE Magazine, Shake’s Frozen Custard, Silver Sands Factory Stores, Southern Resorts, SummerPlace Inn, The Eventful Planner, The Resorts of Pelican Beach, The Sterling Companies, Wingate By Wyndham Destin, WJHG NBC 7 Panama City, and Z's Fish House and Bar.

     For more information or to participate, please contact Elizabeth Spies at espies@DestinChamber.com or call (850) 837-2711 x5.