Hamilton County Get Your Cincy On Kick-Off

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, along with the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), Cincinnati Regional Chamber, and Cincinnati Experience (CX), want to help bring the local economy back safely this summer, with a multi-channel, multi-market campaign to show locals and visitors how Cincinnati hotels, shops and restaurants are safely reopening.

Using Hamilton County CARES Act dollars, the $2 million marketing campaign depicts recognizable Cincinnati business owners and social media influencers appearing in different locations around the County, delivering lines about masking and social distancing, and encouraging support of local businesses.

Social influencers and radio DJs in outer markets – including Lexington, Louisville, Dayton and Columbus - have been hand-picked to visit Cincy and post about their experiences on social media. Radio spots, digital campaigns, and billboard ads are full of suggested places to visit and 'play it safe but still play.'

"We spent most of 2020 working to distribute funding to help businesses get through the pandemic," said Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas. "And now this campaign is a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.  This light will help to guide customers to the doors of those businesses."

"Our local small businesses have been asking for help and we believe this campaign will be the much-needed shot in the arm to support them, their employees and our communities.  We want the world to know Hamilton County is open, safe, and ready to welcome you,"' said Commission Vice President Alicia Reece. "It's about preserving our economy and protecting jobs."

"Hamilton County's story is one of resilience and our small businesses, restaurants, shops and hotels need you to be part of their comeback story," said Commissioner Denise Driehaus.
CVB President and CEO Julie Calvert sees the positive momentum already building. "The region is starting to see a slight increase in weekend hotel occupancy as travelers get more comfortable," said Calvert. "This campaign will accelerate that momentum and bring more visitors and dollars to our hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops. As visitors and locals reconnect with our destination, they'll see how safe the environment continues to be, and that will encourage even more exploration. Travel and tourism have always been a key driver of regional economic health, so we're excited for how much this campaign will impact our overall recovery."

Throughout the County's 49 jurisdictions are small neighborhood business districts whose shops and restaurants have struggled to stay afloat. Using Hamilton County CARES Act Small Business Grants, the County helped prop up nearly 800 businesses last year. The grant funding helped small businesses pay employees, change business models, and otherwise stay in operation through 2020 until they could safely reopen.

Now that Hamilton County COVID-19 cases continue to fall dramatically, vaccinations are widely available, and the country is seeing an uptick in travel, the County, CVB, Chamber, and CX think the time is right to help stimulate the economy with the 'Get Your Cincy On' campaign.

"The campaign creative encourages locals and visitors to find their new favorite things to do at CincinnatiExperience.com," said Anastasia Mileham, Cincinnati Experience's executive director. "It is our hope that this website becomes an ongoing resource for local companies, organizations, attractions, and universities well beyond the end of this campaign. It was designed as a tool for anyone marketing Hamilton County and the Cincinnati region to prospective talent, students, businesses and visitors."

The campaign begins on Monday, May 17, and runs for eight weeks. A portion of the $2M is being used to leverage the 'Get Your Cincy On' creative with meeting and event planners to demonstrate that Cincinnati's venues and hotels are prepared for hosting with the highest level of safety and cleaning standards.

Posted on 05/13/2021