Hamilton County tourism agency changes name

The Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau on Monday will change its name to Hamilton County Tourism Inc. The move comes on the heels of the organization's rollout of a new logo and ad campaign in November.

“The name change reflects a stronger focus on supporting the assets of the county,” said spokeswoman Jo Ann Klooz. “We don't have a convention center and our efforts with organizations extend beyond tourism to the idea of creating great communities. A great place to visit is also a great place to work, a great place to live and a great place to invest.”

The organization’s name change occurs as it begins a marketing partnership with the Hamilton County Alliance, the county’s economic development organization.

It's important for the organization to have a name that conveys the organization is “an authority on Hamilton County hospitality and tourism,” said Deputy Director Karen Radcliff.

The map pin logo and "visit hamiltoncounty indiana" marks unveiled in November will remain the same.

The organization launched a newly branded website in November at www.visithamiltoncounty.com and began running billboard, television, radio and print ads hyping the changes late last year. New signage in and around Hamilton County also surfaced in November and December in addition to new brochures using the map pin logo.

The organization last year designated slightly more than $100,000 for the re-branding and will spend even more this year to continue to roll out the changes and market the organization's initiatives.

Hamilton County Tourism officials hope the new campaign will teach locals and visitors alike to associate the sighting of the map pin with a positive message about things to do and see in the county.

The bureau has been working with advertising and marketing firm ThreeSixty Group for several years, and the Indianapolis-based agency was instrumental in the re-branding.