Presented By: Jada Durden & Brandy Evans A DMO and local travel blogger share their story of how they partnered with great success to promote the destination and the bloggers content.

3. Brandy Evans
 First professional job was an education
reporter at The Times of Shreveport
 Started as a public relations specialist at the
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist
Bureau
 Promoted to Vice President of
Communications at the Shreveport-Bossier
Convention and Tourist Bureau
 Worked in the hospitality and tourism industry
for 18 years

4. Jada Durden
 Freelance writer and award-winning
blogger
 Blog started June 2, 2014
 Work done with Kimpton Hotels, Lane
Bryant, Kia Motors, Louisiana Travel, and
more

5. 3 Ways Influencers and CVBs Can Make a Marriage Made in Heaven
1. Meet - Gather potential influencers and meet new partners
2. Court – Develop an influencer to tell your city’s story, learn more about the travel
industry and share more content
3. Marry - Partner to expand both partners’ reach and audience

6. Let’s Meet
Gather
Brandy’s perspective
1. Scour Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, FlickR, Yelp,
TripAdvisor and other social platforms for prominent
and consistent reviewers and sharers
2. Create a meet-up and gather influencers
3. Rely on your blogger relationships

7. Let’s Meet
Gather
Jada’s perspective
1. Make yourself visible
2. Attend events where CVBs will be present
3. Rely on your blogger relationships

8. First organized meet-up by the
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and
Tourist Bureau was held in
September 2014.

9. Court
Brandy’s perspective
1. Invite local influencers on your media fam trips
2. If you host travel-related conferences give them
complimentary passes to attend
3. Introduce influencers to your state tourism partners, other
CVB partners, and local tourism-related professionals

10. First media fam trip Jada ever attended was
for the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights
organized by the Shreveport-Bossier
Convention and Tourist Bureau and its
partners in November 2014.

11. Court
Jada’s perspective
1. Research the CVB
2. Meet the need
3. Create content about local partners
4. Be authentic

13. Finally, The Big “I Do”
Partner
Brandy’s perspective
1. Ask influencers to participate in your local promotions
2. Ask them to help you reach other media and serve as an
ambassador on local fams
3. Treat them like superstars and watch them become one

14. Finally, The Big “I Do”
Partner
Jada’s perspective
1. Identify your strengths and work with the CVB on
campaigns and promotions that play up your strengths
2. Identify important skills and tips to apply with your local
CVB and those will translate to national and international
brands
3. Show up and show out ALWAYS

15. 2014 – Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights Fam Tour
2015 – Travel South Conference Media
Appointments
2016 - Women in Travel Summit Conference Bid
2016-2019 - 318 Restaurant Week
2016-2017 – Eat Here Guide, Official Shreveport-
Bossier Visitor’s Guide
2017 – Shreveport-Bossier Attractions Association
Media Seminar
2017-2018 – Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier
Campaign
2017-2019 – Krewe of Highland Mardi Gras Media
Tour
2019 – Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras Pop In Events
in Plano
Additional Events and Group Experiences:
• Wine and Chocolate group experience at
Margaritaville Resort Casino
• Jewelry making group experience at Agora
Borealis
• Essential oils group experience
• 318 Restaurant Week Hip Hop & Libations
• 318 Restaurant Week Crawfish Crawl
• 318 Restaurant Week Italian Indulgence
• 318 Restaurant Week Tattoos, Taceauxs and
Tequila
Partnership Timeline

17. Things You Can Do
Brandy’s Perspective
1. Social media takeovers
2. Set clear expectations
3. Help influencers to monetize group travel experiences
4. Promote your social influencers
5. Deputize influencers to promote you

18. Things You Can Do
Jada’s Perspective
1. Create unique experiences
2. Lean into partnerships
3. Exceed expectations
4. Know your numbers

19. Q&A

20. Brandy Evans
Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau
bevans@sbctb.org
800-551-8682
FB: Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side
Twitter: @SBCTB
IG: @SeeShreveportBossier
Jada Durden
Loving This Life Jada
lovingthislifejada@gmail.com
FB: Loving This Life Jada
Twitter: @LTLJada
IG: @LovingThisLifeJada
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