PARKERSBURG, WV (January 26, 2010) – The Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau began distribution of its new 2010 visitors guide this month.

The 76-page full-color digest size book (5.5” x 8.5”) is stocked with key information regarding Greater Parkersburg, West Virginia and surrounding communities. The free guide features a rich design playing up the history and heritage of the region through a vibrant color palette and images. The guide also includes updated listings of area attractions, accommodations, unique shops, special events, restaurants, meeting sites, visitor services, and updated full-color maps.

“We continued our history and heritage themed ad campaign this year with slight design modifications. The biggest change to the guide is that we incorporated a number of new advertisers. Ad sales were so strong that it allowed us to increase the guide an additional eight pages. We added two new spreads featuring driving and walking tours, as well as must see attractions in our region,” commented Greater Parkersburg CVB President Steve Nicely. “This is the largest comprehensive guide the bureau has ever published and we are looking forward to placing it into the hands of visitors.”

Seventy-five thousand copies were printed and are being used in:

• Direct mail campaigns to selected 2008-09 inquiries
• Fulfillment of 2010 individual inquiries
• Supplying the WV Welcome Centers and other outlets
• Trade, travel shows and stocking local racks
• Supplying conferences and other groups meeting in the area

The visitors guide is the primary piece used by the Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau to fulfill information requests from their 800 number and web site, bulk requests, direct mailings and reader responses to advertisements. It is also the only local visitors guide distributed through the West Virginia Welcome Center in Williamstown.

Nicely noted the guide was produced locally through the design services of Stonewall Marketing in Marietta, Ohio and printed by Chapman Printing in Parkersburg, W.Va.

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