Division Releases

Ohio Tourism Division Names Publisher for Travel Planner, Calendar
Great Lakes Publishing to provide publishing services through 2011
4/16/2009

CONTACT:
Tamara Brown, (614) 466-8591
Kelly Schlissberg, (614) 466-4133

COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 16, 2009) — The Ohio Department of Development Tourism Division today announced it has awarded a two-year contract for publishing services to incumbent Great Lakes Publishing. Great Lakes Publishing will provide advertising sales and publishing services to create, produce and deliver print and online versions of the Ohio Travel Planner (annually) and Ohio Calendar of Events (spring/summer and fall/winter). These publications serve as fulfillment and marketing tools developed to drive tourism to and within the state of Ohio, and are produced from advertising revenue without funding from taxpayer dollars. The contract runs July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011.

“Promoting Ohio’s $38 billion travel and tourism industry is vitally important to our economy,” said Ohio Department of Development Interim Director Mark Barbash. “This was a rigorous and thorough proposal process conducted through the Department of Administrative Services to ensure we secured a publisher most capable of helping the Tourism Division reach potential travelers.”

A review committee comprised of both internal and external stakeholders including Tourism Division staff, representatives of other state agencies and members of the Ohio tourism industry evaluated written submissions from publishing companies around the country and heard oral presentations from finalist competitors before selecting a publishing company.

“We received some strong submissions to compare and evaluate,” said State Tourism Director Amir Eylon. “Great Lakes Publishing has demonstrated via their long history of producing travel guides for Ohio, Ohio destinations and Ohio Magazine that they have the experience to help us share the Ohio story and provide added value opportunities to help us reach even more travelers with our message.”

About Great Lakes Publishing
Great Lakes Publishing, based in Cleveland, publishes My Turn and LongWeekends magazines in addition to city and regional magazines, including Ohio Magazine, Cleveland Magazine, Cincy, Inside Business Magazine, West Shore and Valley.

About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio’s vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $38 billion in visitor sales in 2007 and 454,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division’s mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio’s unique travel opportunities and market the state’s outstanding quality of life.

###