The Value of Participation

The Department of Tourism of North Carolina reported that over 5 million tourists spent over $800 million in Currituck & Dare Counties during 2008. Of those visitors, an estimated 100,000 people visited the Roanoke Island Festival Park during the summer season independent of the Experience OBX festival. Over 50,000 visitors are anticipated to attend Experience OBX in 2009, creating opportunities for your organization that you can’t afford to miss.

Sales-With thousands of unique visitors expected to attend Experience OBX each week, your sales opportunities are dramatically increased over having a storefront alone or if your business is located where tourists would have to travel to reach you. You’ll not only obtain revenue on the individual event days, but the added exposure will increase the potential for consumers to visit your location later in the week and on their next visit to the Outer Banks.

Advertising - A large marketing budget has been allocated for Experience OBX in 2009, an amount large enough to significantly increase your number of potential customers. By participating in Experience OBX, you have the opportunity to strategically promote your company by utilizing several advertising techniques such as: one-on-one selling and communication with customers, embedding your brand image by using visuals like logo banners and table covers, distributing informational and sales collateral, and giving away branded promotional items to spark interest in your business. Each week, your organization will be placed directly in front of thousands of unique potential customers. The individual event days increase general awareness of your organization which thereby increases the potential for referrals and repeat customers.

Education- The Outer Banks is a unique location with a distinctive culture, and by participating in Experience OBX, you’ll become involved with our mission to educate visitors by revealing how your organization adds to the islands’ culture.

Networking - Experience OBX is not only a fun experience for tourists and participating sponsors, it’s a business event as well. With a significant number of local organizations and thousands of visitors participating in this event, it opens the door for you to get to know the community where you do business. You will interact with new and interesting people and will generate valuable connections, referrals and relationships.

Giving Back - Experience OBX is dedicated to helping the local community and will be donating a portion of the proceeds back to all participating, non-profit organizations.