PMVB LAUNCHES NEW USER-FRIENDLY WEB SITE

09/23/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release/September 23, 2009
Alicia M. Quinn / Gillian Moore
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
alicia@poconos.org / prdept@poconos.org 
800poconos.com  / twitter.com/PoconoTourism
570.421.5791

PMVB LAUNCHES NEW USER-FRIENDLY WEB SITE
800poconos.com Gets a New Look

POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa., September 23, 2009 - The Pocono Mountains is making a new splash online just in time for fall travel as the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) proudly announces the unveiling of their new and improved, integrated 800poconos.com Web site.

The new site puts power into the hands of its users by providing ease of navigation and inviting the user to browse a wealth of information on all things Pocono.  Visitors can plan a night out using the Google maps page to customize their Pocono Mountains experience and even send virtual Postcards of their trip.  Eye-catching graphics also give visitors a glimpse of what's hot in the Pocono Mountains. 

"We wanted the focus of the new Web site to encompass visitor interaction and communication.  This new site allows visitors to interact on blogs, browse our dynamic video photo tour, watch experiential videos from locals and find regional activities and events that excite their interests," explained Carl Wilgus, president and CEO of the PMVB.  "The new site is informative, innovative, easy to use and extremely resourceful - just like working with our PMVB team."

With a fresh look and innovative features, the Web site contains more user-friendly tools including online toolkits that provide prospective visitors with special offers, Green tips, meeting and leisure group resources, as well as listings of many Pocono attractions, including shopping, dining, lodging, parks, arts venues, historical sites, festivals and other events.  Sample itineraries are also included to help prospective visitors plan a trip, or they can set their own agenda by adding stops to an online "Trip Planner."

The site will also continue to add new features including a Buyers Guide, where visitors can learn about services available in the Pocono Mountains and Ask an Expert, where you can virtually interact with top-notch experts in various fields such as golf, Green initiatives and arts and culture.

Understanding the need for form as well as function, the PMVB collaborated with longtime partner and leader in the field of interactive marketing, simpleview Inc., to research and develop the user-supported site. 

According to the PMVB's Web/SEM Manager Linda Wojnar, "simpleview took an integrated approach, supplying the design of the new Web site while also incorporating complete back end functionality."

For more information on the PMVB and events and activities in the Pocono Mountains, visit the new Web site at 800poconos.com.

About the Pocono Mountains

With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania's Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers.  Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261miles of hiking and biking trails, over 35 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks.

Any time of year is a good time to visit the Pocono Mountains, located within driving distance of most major East Coast cities.  This region teeming with history offers year-round cultural tours and art exhibitions, abundant antiquing and brand-name shopping and a full calendar of festivals showcasing the heritage, music and food of the Pocono Mountains.

Even the most discerning traveler will find comfortable accommodations in the Pocono Mountains, which offers an eclectic mix of resorts, distinctive properties and quaint, country inns and bed and breakfasts.

About simpleview

From 2007 to 2009, simpleview has made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately held U.S. companies, placing #2 in the travel category in 2008. Since 1991, the company has maintained a 99% client retention rate while capturing the largest market share in its field, helping 125+ destination marketing organizations (DMOs) get the most out of technology, the web and interactive marketing. At the highest level, simpleview develops big-picture strategies for DMO sales, marketing and operations. On a tactical level, they offer integrated products and services tailored to destination marketing: social media strategy, powerful forecasting and reporting, dynamic websites and mobile web, SEO and interactive marketing and the industry's most advanced CRM and CMS. In the 12 months leading up to Q2 2009, simpleview's CRM system drove $6.8 billion in economic impact for more than 80 simpleview clients, which include destinations ranging from New York City to Portland, Boston to Jacksonville, Toronto to the Bahamas. simpleview employs 60+ people in Tucson and San Diego.

Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  Follow @PoconoTourism on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information.  Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit, membership organization.  The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

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