- Successful Social Media Programs Reaping Results -

SALT LAKE CITY (March 2012) - Visit Salt Lake (VSL) recently acquired it 100,000th Facebook Fan, after having just 3,500 fans 15 months ago. This rapid audience growth for the tourism marketing efforts were the result of ground-breaking programs designed to build the buzz about Salt Lake as a vibrant destination.

VSL utilized both new and existing programs, combining them with social media campaigns designed to build its Facebook fan base as well as its Twitter followers, currently at 10,460. One of the existing programs used was the recent Ski Salt Lake Shootout, whereas a "Facebook Fan Favorite" category was added to the annual photo competition, garnering more than 5,500 new fans for VSL. A program implemented specifically for VSL's social media efforts was the SLC Summer Crew, a summer-long competition among 20 Salt Lake-based "ambassadors" featuring various challenges in and around Salt Lake, all of which required social media elements such as posting pictures to their own Facebook or Twitter pages, checking in on Foursquare, posting a video and the like. Another new program was the "Dream Vacation" contest, where VSL Facebook fans were asked to design their ideal Salt Lake winter vacation on a specially-designed Facebook tab. Following the submission period, the "Dream Vacation" selected by popular vote (the one receiving the most "Likes") won a trip to Salt Lake for four, including airfare, lodging, Ski Salt Lake Super Passes good at Salt Lake's four world-class resorts, and rental equipment.

"With highly engaging content like our Shootout Fan Favorite, our successful Summer Crew and the Dream Vacation contest, we've been able to successfully target an incredibly wide audience interested in all the different aspects of what Salt Lake has to offer," said Scott Beck, VSL President and CEO. "We've been able to bring the local's voice to the forefront of our social media effort. This platform allows Salt Lake residents and former residents to give their perspective on our restaurant and nightlife scene, our diverse cultural arts, and of course our incredible skiing and outdoor recreation, which has resonated with visitors in ways we could not imagine."

Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. Visit Salt Lake's mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors while being a leader in environmental responsibility. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.visitsaltlake.com.