LAKELAND - It was #winner last year for the #TakeItToTheLake marketing campaign, and regional promoters are hoping to ride that wave of success for the local initiative into 2021 and beyond.
Lakeland’s Northeast Collaborative #TakeItToTheLake marketing campaign received praise at the Economic Developers of Alberta (EDA) conference held late in 2020 by winning two awards. The annual EDA conference hands out awards of excellence to places or individuals around the province that have made the best economic development marketing materials, created strong partnerships, and developed innovative programs for their region.
The awards were shared by the municipal partners that have joined forces in the popular #TakeItToTheLake branding that covers northeastern and north-central Alberta. Lac La Biche County, the MD of Bonnyville, the Town of Vermilion and Athabasca County were all awarded with the Best In Class Community Economic Development Award and the People’s Choice Award for their collaborative campaign.
Jana Rowe, the economic development officer for Lac La Biche County, says that working together with other places in the Lakeland has benefited everyone and has helped bring more tourists to Northern Alberta.
“When collaborating with other municipalities in our region, we create a travel route for visitors. Additionally, we increase the audience by leveraging each other’s regular visitors,” she said. “Tourism is not about jurisdictional boundaries, but more about travel routes. By understanding this in the development and growth of a tourism economy, we are able to grow stronger as a whole region.”
The #TakeItToTheLake program encourages locals and tourists to get outside and explore what the Lakeland has to offer. Using the hashtag, people can attach videos and pictures of their adventures throughout the region, which helps give others an idea of what adventure they could go on next.
Rowe says that winning both of the awards was motivating and lets them know they are on the right track as the region continues efforts to grow community economic development.
“The fact that it was awarded for the best in medium municipalities shows the results and uniqueness of the efforts are worth continuing,” says Rowe. “We encourage everyone in the region to take a moment to really appreciate and get involved with sharing the region to the rest of Alberta and beyond.”
Rowe says that moving forward into 2021, Lac La Biche County officials are going to continue to work on their award-winning focus of supporting safe and responsible tourism during the pandemic.
