SANTA MONICA, CA, October 17, 2008
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) and advertising agency Rabuck | Stranger announced today the launch of a completely redesigned Website, (www.santamonica.com _http://www.santamonica.com_ ), the community's greatest resource for information on dining, accommodations, shopping, things to do, meetings & convention spaces, community involvement and more. After going through the RFP process, SMCVB ultimately hired Rabuck | Stranger to revamp the site because of their expertise in design and strategy and their understanding of what makes Santa Monica unique. The new santamonica.com has an entirely new look and feel, incorporating innovative design and updated content into the existing module.
Rabuck | Stranger's first step was an in-depth competitive review known as Key Site Attribute Analysis. SMCVB board members and staff along with Rabuck | Stranger staff were given 10 destination or travel-related Websites to evaluate according to brand presence, ease of use, site content, etc. The biggest finding from the Key Site Attribute Analysis was that captivating photography was the most important feature on the Websites that were favored. With this knowledge Rabuck | Stranger hired photographer Sondra Stocker to spend about three months photographing Santa Monica. The concept of a local's point-of-view set the tone for the photography and includes local Santa Monicans in front of the city's best backdrops, whether it is the Beach, Edgemar Center for the Arts, the bike path or Main Street.
"A fresh approach, and bold, colorful photography, sets the site apart and the user-friendly interface makes Santa Monica information accessible to potential visitors everywhere," said Rick Rabuck, Creative Director at Rabuck | Stranger, "Now the world's finest destination is only a click away."
SMCVB's new Website welcomes everyone from visitors and community members to meeting professionals and media alike to take an interactive approach to everything that the destination has to offer. Visitors can easily research where to stay in Santa Monica by filtering their search with various attributes like "hip and trendy", "beachfront" and "budget". Maps, weather, sample itineraries and other key aspects for the perfect trip are all available on the site. There's also a "What to do" link for travelers staying and playing in Santa Monica that features shopping, arts & culture, attractions, nightlife and insider tips.
Locals can use the site to find information about upcoming events in town and how to take advantage of SMCVB's programs for locals. Santa Monica residents might also greatly appreciate the apartment rental links, a new feature available now.
Meeting planners will find all the tools they need for planning the perfect event in Santa Monica from transportation, catering, rentals, sample itineraries, promoting your meeting and more. Journalists interested in covering Santa Monica as a featured destination story will find the downloadable press kit and story ideas very useful. Other helpful features for the media include a media visit RFP, photo library, recent articles on Santa Monica and news releases by SMCVB.
"The new website is a strong reflection of the Santa Monica brand - the innovative culture, the relaxed attitude and the abundance of activities. We hope that everyone who visits the site leaves with a feeling that we live the good life in Santa Monica, and we welcome visitors to do the same", said Kim Baker, SMCVB Director of Marketing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) is a non-member, non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a premier travel destination. For travel and accommodation information please call (800) 544-5319 or (310) 319-6263; or email info@santamonica.com; or write Santa Monica Visitor Center, 1920 Main Street Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Official Santa Monica Maps, Visitor Guides, Corporate Guides, Art Trek, Design District, Big Blue Bus and Historical Landmark Maps are available at all Santa Monica visitor service locations and can be mailed upon request. To reduce our environmental footprint, some of these materials can also be downloaded or ordered from our website at http://www.santamonica.com _http://www.santamonica.com_ .
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
Read more Press Releases from Sarah Martin:Other Press Release Headlines:
