Partnership Hits Full Swing in Time for National Fishing and Boating Week

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – As the summer fishing season along the Alabama Gulf Coast begins, a local partnership to draw larger numbers is in full gear. The Orange Beach Fishing Association and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB) joined forces to produce an advertising campaign that culminates with the opening day of red snapper season and National Fishing and Boating Week.

According to Capt. Ben Fairey of Necessity Charters, “those blue northern Gulf of Mexico waters are the most amazing resource that we have, and in my more than 40 years of fishing, I have never seen it better.”

In addition to the June 1 start of red snapper season, guests can land amberjack, various types of grouper, king and Spanish mackerel, pompano, and triggerfish in addition to many other varieties on the gulf waters off Alabama’s coast, which showcases the largest artificial reef program in the nation. Also, many local captains are enrolled in the CFISH program, which is a hospitality training program designed specifically for captains and deckhands that will ultimately enhance the guest experience.

“Our Orange Beach charter boat fleet is ready to kickoff an amazing summer season, and thanks to our partnership with the CVB, there is a buzz about what we offer guests,” Fairey said.

Magazine ad placement in publications such as Cabela’s, Great Days Outdoors, and Saltwater Sportsman compliment a direct mail and email outreach effort targeting pre-qualified inquiry lists. Online, an enhanced fishing section launched, and a weekly What’s Biting blog allows hooked parties to receive continuous updates on the charter fishing industry. Public relations efforts include a weekly marina photography release program targeting guests’ hometown newspapers, a live radio remote with one of the nation’s longest running outdoor radio shows and multiple article placements. Additional training for welcome center staff, a social media presence sharing key and continuous message points, and an engaging fishing display in both the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Welcome Centers round out the program.

“These efforts coincide with National Fishing and Boating Week (June 2-10), and Alabama’s free fishing day on June 9,” said Joanie Flynn, vice-president of marketing for the CVB. “We continue to hear guests talk about the lifetime memories they have created on fishing charters in our waters.”

Reel in more fishing information, such as a list of marinas and charters, at www.orangebeach.com/fishing.

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Media Contact:

Kim Chapman
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
kchapman@gulfshores.com
1-800-745-SAND
251-974-4625 (direct)
251-752-8448 (cell)

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about Alabama’s 32 miles of sugar white sand, visit either www.gulfshores.com or www.orangebeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (2008-2012) and is an official corporate sponsor of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).