San Marcos Convention & Visitor Bureau Wins Marketing Awards

The San Marcos Convention & Visitor Bureau (SMCVB) was awarded two Idea Fair awards from Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (TACVB) during their Annual Conference, held virtually, on August 12.

The SMCVB won a first-place People’s Choice Award for their COVID-19 messaging, as well as a second-place People’s Choice Award for their cooperative marketing campaign.

The SMCVB’s COVID-19 messaging combined educational information, photos of visitors and locals wearing masks while out exploring, and humorous videos promoting the safe support of local businesses.

The cooperative marketing campaign (2019) and was a partnership with Downtown San Marcos meant to drive visitors to the heart of San Marcos.

The advertisements used imagery of local boutiques, restaurants, events, arts, and live music to depict San Marcos’ status as an easily navigable cultural hub.

“While we are thrilled to take home both awards, it’s especially meaningful to win first place for our COVID-19 messaging,” said Rebecca Ybarra, Director of Destination Services. “Our team went from promoting San Marcos as a summer destination to creating educational and entertaining campaigns to promote our local businesses while keeping our residents and visitors safe during the pandemic. To be recognized for these efforts is significant.”

TACVB’s Idea Fair promotes excellence in destination marketing. Goals of the awards are to generate awareness of the quality work done by TACVB members as they promote their destinations to leisure and business travelers.

The People’s Choice competition allows tourism industry peers to weigh in on their favorite campaigns.