VCF sponsors sold out TigerFest in Detroit
Representatives from Visit Central Fl
orida once again participated in the annual TigerFest, held at Comerica Park in Detroit, Mich., on Saturday, Jan. 28. Visit Central Florida was the title sponsor of the event.
A sold-out crowd of 12,000 streamed into the park to escape the winter doldrums. Inside, fans were able to go behind the scenes, visiting the clubhouse, the dugouts, the media center and into the suites, all while being entertained by major leaguers both past and present. And let’s not forget the autographs.
This year’s warmth-inducing giveaway was something rarely seen in the sunshine state – earmuffs featuring the logos of both the Detroit Tigers and Visit Central Florida. And in the midst of the activities was a large display for Visit Central Florida, Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing’s pseudonym when marketing to rest of the world. Orange juice, provided by Ridge Island Groves, was given to visitors as they stopped by to learn more about the Spring Training destination for the Tigers, Polk County, as well as both real and foam baseballs. On hand to answer questions were PCTSM Director Mark Jackson as well as Justin Laferriere, Kris Keprios and Ashlyn Deeringer.
TigerFest is the official fan fest for the Tigers and the final stop of the team’s annual winter caravan that stops at nearly 30 different locations around the Michigan area, including Children’s Hospital, the headquarters for Comerica Bank and AAA Michigan, hockey arenas, high schools, an Air National Guard base and even the local offices of the FBI. Traveling along with that bus is the Visit Central Florida logo, prominently displayed on its side, as Visit Central Florida is the title sponsor of both the caravan and TigerFest.
“Everywhere you go in Michigan, residents know Lakeland is synonymous with the Tigers. But this partnership and increased visibility will allow us to further educate Michigan residents about all there is to see and do outside the stadium in Lakeland as well as after the game,” said Jackson.
This is the second year PCTSM has been at TigerFest, a key step in the department’s increased marketing and awareness campaign with the Detroit Tigers. Other promotions include Visit Central Florida printed on print-at-home tickets, a Visit Central Florida booth at the stadium, complete with brochures on all the various activities Polk County has to offer, and home plate advertising visible to TV viewers during key home series.
PCTSM’s massive marketing partnership with the Detroit Tigers is the most comprehensive marketing partnership between a Spring Training host city and a MLB team. Polk County will be highlighted throughout the season to Tigers fans in Detroit, from preseason to the World Series, with the goal to not only help bolster Lakeland and Polk County as a top-of-mind vacation destination among Tigers fans, but also to drive fans deeper into the county to experience even more of what we have to offer.