NTCC awards Vespa

Members of Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. presented the organization's "90 Days of Summer" contest winner with a to a brand new Vespa GTS 300 at Buffalo Scooter Co.

The winner, Sue Blackwell of Lombard, Illinois, was chosen at random. She is a licensed motorcyclist whose Honda scooter recently broke down.

The Vespa had been showcased in the Niagara USA Official Visitor Center on Rainbow Boulevard in Niagara Falls since the contest began July 3. The "feel the mist in your hair" promotion gave the organization a 27 percent increase in its social media visibility - specifically 19,673 new Facebook fans and 73,623 unique Facebook page visitors. More than 25,000 people registered to win the Vespa grand prize.

The "90 Days of Summer" contest generated increased interest about Niagara USA to a broader audience through NTCC's Facebook page. Throughout the contest, participants were able to "Like" the "Explore Niagara Falls USA" page on Facebook to become eligible to win the grand prize, and/or a $100 Visa gift card randomly drawn every day during the contest.

Increasing NTCC's social media presence is one of the organization's 2014 strategic marketing initiatives.

Pictured, from left, are Michelle Blackley, NTCC communications manager; Blackwell; Julie Gilbert, NTCC director of marketing and communications; and Libby Woock, NTCC media marketing manager.