FWV Expands Travel and Tourism Practice with Addition of Leading Southeast Vacation Destination
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 12, 2007) – French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, has been selected by the Gatlinburg, Tennessee Department of Tourism to provide strategic counsel and public relations services in support of the city’s tourism marketing efforts.
The agency is charged with providing national and regional public relations support for Gatlinburg to increase exposure and awareness of the one-of-a-kind amenities in the region, expand the tourism base of the city and raise awareness for its unique year-round special events.
Gatlinburg is the perennial mountain vacation destination choice of generations of people, and is recognized as one of the most beautiful areas of the country. The adjacent Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which surrounds Gatlinburg on three sides, now boasts over nine million visitors annually and has transformed Gatlinburg into a resort destination, packed with accommodations of every sort, dozens of local-to-national restaurants, and a vast array of festivals and attractions. Gatlinburg prides itself on its mountain heritage, and the arts, crafts and retail shops of the area reflect that heritage. The small mountain burg, which celebrates its bicentennial anniversary this year, is located within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the American population east of the Mississippi River.
“We were searching for a partner with comprehensive destination marketing experience and record of outstanding results,” said David Perella, Executive Director, Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. “With its creative approach, proven expertise and enthusiasm toward the business, FWV is the ideal fit.”
FWV was awarded the account following a national review conducted by the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and its cooperative business partners.
“With its beauty, charm and endless amenities and activities, Gatlinburg is the perfect mountain vacation destination for all ages,” said FWV President & CEO Rick French. “We look forward to utilizing our travel and tourism experience to define and expand Gatlinburg’s brand identity, and drive visitors to the area.”
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan is the Southeast’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency, and was named the Holmes’ Report 2004 National Consumer Agency of the Year. Its client list reads like a who’s who of corporate America. National and international clients represented by the agency include the Global Water Foundation, VF Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Wrangler, Nestea, Lily of France, Canada Post, Speedo, Diageo (Bulleit Bourbon), Pfizer and bioMérieux. Regional public relations clients include North Carolina State University and Tweetsie Railroad, among many others.
