MILT THOMAS

Local tourism marketing has taken a great technological leap forward thanks to a new smartphone app created by the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Director, Allison McNeal. For anyone visiting Vero Beach and Indian River County for the first time (or planning a visit), they can find everything they need to know in planning a visit right on their smartphones.

Want to know what accommodations are available with vacancies and prices? Which ones accept pets? Where to eat by type of cuisine? Where to play golf? Rent a boat? Directions from wherever you are? Best places to shop?  What events are happening when you will be here? Beach conditions? A calendar to plan out your trip? Coupons and discounts? Connect to other social media apps? You name it and you don’t need to go any further than the palm of your hand for answers.

What if you don’t have a smartphone? You can still visit the Indian River County Chamber and pick up brochures, ask questions the old fashioned way. But for the 1.6 billion people in the world who do own smartphones and the 87 percent of them who regularly use smartphone apps, whether in New York, California, Tokyo, Helsinki or Kathmandu, everything you need to know is on the Vero Beach-Fellsmere-Sebastian Official Mobile App Travel Guide. And it is all absolutely free.

Allison McNeal, a third generation Vero native, explains how this all came about. “I joined the Chamber in 2006 and I have a fascination with mobile technology. We wanted our visitors to have relevant, up to date information about the area so they will spend more and stay longer. It was a dream assignment for me.

“So, I researched many companies and decided on VisitApps, a firm that specializes in applying the latest technology to destination marketing apps and has been written up in all the major business publications.”

Once a prototype was developed, McNeal tested it with other members of the Vero Alliance, a longtime working group that includes the Cultural Council of Indian River County, Main Street Vero Beach, the Oceanside Business Association, Indian River County Historical Society and Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. Once approved by all, it was launched a few weeks ago.  Since then McNeal says the app has averaged 300 downloads a day. “People are calling local businesses and mentioning the app already. And that is without any marketing or advertising other than stories in virtually all the Treasure Coast print and TV media.”

A major media push with be rolled out this summer. According to McNeal, “We will be on TV, Expedia, and other media creating six million impressions, and we will unveil a texting platform later this year.”

They also plan tie-ins to major upcoming events. “For the May air show, we will put together hotel packages and run ads in the Orlando area telling people to download the mobile app and see everything that will be available to do while in Vero. Then this summer we will promote the shooting industry masters and the app will include turn-by-turn directions how to get there from anywhere in the state.”

Just think, if you are coming to Vero Beach – no need to send for brochures, contact AAA for maps, consult hotel bedside “what’s Happening” booklets to plan your stay, or look for information kiosks.

Boldly go where no one has gone before – download your Vero Beach-Fellsmere-Sebastian Official Mobile App Travel Guide from the Apple or Google Play store. In fact, you can beam it up to your phone by snapping a photo of the QR (Quick Response code) below.