Sonoma County Tourism wants people to know that Sonoma County, California, is so much more than just a premier Wine Country destination. The destination stewardship organization (DSO) seeks to introduce each and every one of its visitors to a combination of unique, immersive activities and unexpected experiences.

As a Simpleview CRM customer, the DSO makes the most of its Visit Widget integration with a customized travel app that:

  • Attracts and engages in-market travelers
  • Creates seamless planning for visitors
  • Helps users find what they’ll love most

Get ready to be inspired by how Sonoma County Tourism used Visit Widget’s solutions in a creative and successful messaging strategy for the “Sonoma County App Experience Giveaway.”

Morgan Miles, Sonoma County Tourism headshot
Q: Tell us about the “Sonoma County App Experience Giveaway.”

A: The “Sonoma County App Experience Giveaway” was a month-long app giveaway that was designed to engage our active app users and encourage new users to download and interact with the app. The giveaway offered a chance to win a series of exclusive Sonoma County, California, experiences — from wine tastings to ziplining — providing a compelling incentive for travelers.

To promote the giveaway, we utilized push notifications to directly reach our app users, enticing them to sign up and participate in the contest. Additionally, we used our newsletter and social media platforms to expand the reach of the campaign, encouraging a broader audience to download the app and get involved in the giveaway.

By targeting both current and potential users through these multiple channels, we were able to generate excitement, grow app engagement, and build a connection with travelers interested in Sonoma County’s unique experiences.
 

Q: What were the top three goals that Sonoma County Tourism had for the implementation and launch of Visit Widget?

A: The top goals Sonoma County Tourism had for implementing Visit Widget in the “Sonoma County App Experience Giveaway” were:

  • Gaining new app users and increasing engagement with the features within the app.
  • Increasing email opt-ins to grow direct communication channels with potential visitors.
  • Generating interest in exploring the unique experiences the destination has to offer.


     

Visit Widget’s push notifications made it easy for users to sign up for the contest, ensuring high participation rates without any friction in the experience. These notifications also helped us drive app downloads, increase user engagement, and gather valuable email leads — all while highlighting the rich experiences Sonoma County offers.”

Morgan Miles headshot Morgan Miles, Digital Marketing Manager, Sonoma County Tourism
Q: How does the Visit Widget integration with Simpleview CRM help the team measure the success of its campaigns?

A: Analytics play a crucial role in measuring our success. Visit Widget helps us focus on key metrics such as app downloads, time spent in the app, account creation, and email opt-ins. Encouraging users to create accounts is especially important, as it allows us to gather first-party data and tailor content to their interests. Additionally, Visit Widget helps us track how many users open and click on push notifications compared to those who sign up for giveaways. This gives us a better understanding of audience behavior and engagement patterns.

App content is sourced directly from Simpleview CRM; our CRM data automatically feeds into the app, eliminating the need for manual entry of listings and other content. The automated integration between Simpleview CRM and Visit Widget makes the whole process more seamless.
 

Q: What advice would you give other destinations considering taking on a similar project?

A: For destinations considering a similar project, here are some key pieces of advice:

  • Define clear goals and success: Metrics identify what success looks like — whether it’s increasing app downloads, boosting engagement, driving referrals, or gathering first-party data. Track key metrics like account creations, and push notification engagement to measure impact.
  • Prioritize data collection: Encourage account sign-ups early in the user journey to personalize content and improve audience targeting. Use giveaways, exclusive content, and tailored recommendations to incentivize users and generate interest in your destination and experiences.
  • Optimize for engagement and usability: Use push notifications to drive app engagement and track their performance.
  • Stay flexible and open to iteration: Regularly review analytics and user feedback to refine the platform. Be ready to adapt features based on audience behavior and emerging needs.

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