12 ORGS · 159 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Destination Marketing for Economic Development

methodology: destination_marketing

By promoting a region’s unique attractions, culture, and experiences to external audiences, organizations drive visitation and economic growth, because increased tourism generates spending, investment, and business opportunities that enhance regional vitality. This strategy centers on using targeted marketing and storytelling to position a place as a desirable destination for travelers, event planners, and investors. Unlike operational tactics such as event planning or infrastructure development, this approach focuses on perception-shaping and demand generation as the primary lever for economic development. It unifies diverse efforts—culinary promotion, cultural storytelling, heritage preservation, and regional branding—under a shared belief that visibility and narrative appeal are foundational to attracting economic activity.

12
orgs running it
159
activities of those orgs
12
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 12

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • Housing Conditions and Gap Assessment ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    research
    Completed a comprehensive Housing Conditions and Gap Assessment for northern Arizona, analyzing housing supply, demand, affordability, and projected needs to identify critical gaps and inform workforce retention, economic growth, and community sustainability.
  • Housing Conditions and Gap Assessment for Northern Arizona ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    research
    Conducted a comprehensive research study analyzing housing supply, demand, affordability, and future needs in northern Arizona, identifying critical gaps affecting workforce retention, economic growth, and community sustainability.
  • Promoting Northern Arizona at National Conferences ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    advocacy
    Promotes economic opportunities in northern Arizona at national conferences and industry events, including the ICSC Retail Show, Site Selector Guild, SEMI-CON, Flinn Brown Bio Capital Conference, SEMICON West, and ICSC@Western.
  • Promotion of Northern Arizona economic opportunities at national industry events ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    advocacy
    Actively promotes economic development prospects in northern Arizona at major national conferences such as the ICSC Retail Show, SEMI-CON, SEMICON West, ICSC@Western, and the Flinn Brown Bio Capital Conference, targeting investors, site selectors, and industry leaders.
  • Promotion of Northern Arizona economic opportunities at national industry events ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    advocacy
    Actively promotes economic development prospects in northern Arizona at major national conferences such as the ICSC Retail Show, SEMI-CON, SEMICON West, ICSC@Western, and the Flinn Brown Bio Capital Conference to attract investment and business engagement.
  • Regional housing conditions and gap assessment research ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    research
    Conducted a comprehensive Housing Conditions and Gap Assessment for northern Arizona, analyzing housing supply, demand, affordability, and future needs, with findings aimed at informing policy and investment to support workforce retention and community sustainability.
  • Website modernization and digital presence update ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    direct service
    Updated its organizational website in February 2026, implementing the first design overhaul in ten years to improve digital engagement and information accessibility.
  • Website modernization and digital presence update ECONOMIC COLLABORATIVE OF N ARIZONA
    capacity building
    Updated its public-facing website in February 2026, marking the first design overhaul in ten years to improve accessibility and communication of services.
  • Arts and Cultural Programming GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Produces and supports major arts events including the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival (20+ films, hybrid format), Artlink's Art Detour (month-long celebration with hundreds of arts activities), and curated cultural events like the reFABRICate Fashion Show featuring upcycled denim designs.
  • Curating and Promoting Event Calendars and Guides GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Maintains and promotes a comprehensive event calendar for Phoenix, curates and promotes seasonal and annual event guides, and provides information about weekend events and activities, including summer travel tips and guides on local dining and neighborhood exploration.
  • Earth Day and Sustainability Events GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Hosts and supports a series of Earth Day events across Greater Phoenix, including educational fairs, sustainability festivals, craft workshops, yoga and sound meditation sessions, and family-friendly activities focused on conservation, environmental education, and sustainable living.
  • Event Calendar and Activity Guide Curation GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Maintains and promotes a comprehensive event calendar and produces seasonal, monthly, and thematic guides highlighting events, summer activities, dining options, neighborhood explorations, and travel tips in Greater Phoenix.
  • Event Organization and Promotion GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Organizes and promotes a wide range of cultural, artistic, musical, and sporting events across the Greater Phoenix area, including live music, art exhibitions, festivals, and community gatherings.
  • Highlighting Local Spa and Wellness Offerings GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Highlights desert-inspired spa treatments using local botanicals and minerals in Phoenix.
  • Hosting Earth Day Educational and Engagement Events GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Hosts various Earth Day events across Phoenix, offering educational activities, workshops, and interactive exhibits focused on sustainability, conservation, and environmental awareness. These events include fashion shows using repurposed materials, animal encounters, gardening workshops, sound meditations, and science festivals.
  • Management of Major Annual Events and Festivals GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Hosts and supports large-scale annual events such as the Cactus League Spring Training (15 MLB teams, 200+ games), NASCAR Weekend, Mecum Auto Auction (2,000 collector vehicles), and major festivals including the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival, Rainbows Festival, and Tempe Festival of the Arts.
  • Marketing and Brand Promotion for Tourism GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Produces marketing and brand campaigns to promote Greater Phoenix as a destination for leisure travel and meetings, coordinates site visits, conducts media tours, and facilitates booking for events and meetings in the region.
  • Merchandising and Local Business Promotion GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS
    direct service
    Operates an online store selling Phoenix-themed merchandise and promotes local small businesses and Phoenix-made goods through curated gift guides and neighborhood spotlights.