Best Practices

Grantees are required to submit their organization’s Articles of Incorporation for eligibility purposes. If you’re having difficulty determining the difference between Articles of Incorporation and your bylaws, here’s a primer:

Articles of Incorporation contain broad business details, like the name and location of the organization, directors’ names, and the general purpose. Organizations file this document with the State of Idaho when they launch.

Example:

The purpose of the organization shall be the advancement of the civic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, business development and tourism interests of the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County, and the surrounding territory, the promotion of the general welfare and prosperity of the city, county and its surrounding territory, and the stimulation of public sentiment to these ends; and the providing of such social features as will promote these purposes.

Bylaws are for internal use. They include the organization’s mission statement and the policies and procedures that guide day-to-day operations.

Example:

We are an advocate for business development and tourism in the Greater Sandpoint area.

Grantees often ask if they’re required to have open meetings. It’s not mandatory, but we do encourage you to make your meetings public and publicize meeting times in order to give your members and the general public opportunities to get involved in your regional tourism efforts.Idaho has an Open Meeting law, but this applies only to governmental entities. Please consult your organization’s bylaws and chartering documents, as well as Title 30, Chapter 3 of the Idaho Code to determine if there are any required procedures for your meetings and meeting-related recordkeeping.

Facebook

On Facebook, grantees are required to add:

• Access the official Visit Idaho page here. From your Facebook page, like the Visit Idaho page, then click “Add to Favorites.” Note: As Facebook often updates its processes, please search the Facebook Help Center if you need help adding Favorites.
• www.visitidaho.org as a link within your page’s about section.

Having trouble? First, check to make sure that you’ve set up a business page (not a personal profile) for your organization. Then, learn the basics from this Facebook for Business overview.

Twitter

To follow Visit Idaho on Twitter, go here and click the Follow button.

Websites and Blogs

Creating an online presence doesn’t have to be expensive. You can use a free or low-cost blog platform to build a professional website that supports social media. Possibilities include:

1. Ning: A website that integrates your social media content. Monthly package fees.
2. Overblog: Free website that integrates your social media content. Free design templates.
3. WordPress: Free platform that you can use to create a website and/or blog.
4. Web.com: Low-cost website packages.

And, here’s an interesting read from the MarketingProfs: Four Reasons to Jettison the Traditional Website and Go Social. This reflects a trend to turn your website into a platform that aggregates your social media content. You’ll still need to have a website, which can be created with one of the tools mentioned above.

Still need help? We’re happy to answer any questions you have about websites and social media. Contact us using the details below or by calling (208) 334-2470.

• For technical assistance and set-up, contact Diane Norton at diane.norton@tourism.idaho.gov.
• For ideas and social media communications, contact Tina Caviness at tina.caviness@tourism.idaho.gov.

Use this document, Six Secrets of Press Release Optimization, to maximize your press release efforts.

Familiarization Tours

This handy reference, How to Conduct a Familiarization Tour, covers topics such as:

• The basics of fam tours.
• Types of fam tours.
• Whether a fam tour is right for you/your community.
• How to conduct a fam tour, from planning to wrap-up.

Itineraries

Itineraries, whether for hosted fams and site visits or for unescorted visits, should be submitted through the ad approval process prior to the visit.

Below are examples of what should be included with a Request for Funds. Times are approximate.

• Sample Itinerary 1
• Sample Itinerary 2
• Sample Itinerary 3
• Meal Expense Worksheet
  • Backup Receipts 1
  • Backup Receipts 2
  • Backup Receipts 3

Note: Make your itineraries do double duty: post them as “suggested itineraries” for first-time visitors on your website. Visitors find suggested itineraries helpful as they research the attractions and places that make your area special.