10 Ways to Get Involved
10 Ways To Get Involved With Viva Florida 500
What can you do in your community to commemorate 500 years of history and diverse cultural heritage in the Sunshine State since Ponce de Leόn’s arrival to east coast of Florida in 1513, naming this beautiful land La Florida? This is an unprecedented opportunity for all Floridians to visit, learn and explore the unique history and heritage of our state. YOU – and your company, non-profit, civic organization, school, or local government can ALL join Viva Florida 500 and help tell the story of your community to residents and visitors in 2013. For example:
- Find out more and make connections –what is the history/heritage of your area and how does your organization fit into the community/region and Florida story? Then “connect the dots” to encourage participation and partner with other active organizations in your area, including a local historic site or park, your local destination marketing organization (i.e., TDC, CVB, VCB, or Chamber of Commerce) museums and attractions, and/or historical societies.
- Request and use the official Viva Florida 500 logo – for your event marketing materials, or on a web page with customized Viva Florida copy highlighting local partners and events to help spread the word about commemorating Florida’s unique history.
- Tie local historical and cultural events to Viva Florida 500 – rebrand or expand existing local events in 2013. This is an important opportunity to recognize and promote your unique history and culture and utilizing the Viva Florida 500 logo/brand allows you to add extra excitement and leverage additional publicity.
- Submit your event to the official Viva Florida 500 Calendar of Events at www.VivaFlorida.org - also submit your event to local community calendars associated with local TV, newspapers, blogs. This is a simple process and can easily be done online.
- Utilize and connect with Social Media Platforms – both at the state and local levels always connect to related events and ask participants to like, follow, post pictures/videos, etc. Be sure to connect with the official Viva Florida 500 platforms -http://www.facebook.com/VivaFlorida500, https://twitter.com/VivaFlorida500, and http://www.youtube.com/user/VivaFlorida500
- Stay plugged in – Join the Viva Florida 500 partnership (it’s free) www.VivaFlorida.org to stay up-to-date and connected with other Viva Florida 500 partners statewide through newsletters, webinars and teleconferences.
- Promote to the media and cross-promote local Viva Florida 500 partners - Promote your Viva Florida 500 activities/events to media contacts including TV, radio, newspapers, local blog and magazine reporters, news desks and assignment editors to make them aware of your program; Ask your local newspaper to cover Viva Florida 500 and local people and places in history; Write and submit an op-ed column (typically 500 words) to elaborate on an idea or share your views on the local history, diverse cultural heritage, or conserving the natural heritage that also includes a call-to-action and a way to learn more; Contact morning show producers to book appearances promoting your Viva Florida 500 activity on local TV and radio shows; And be sure to cross-promote other local Viva Florida 500 partners to leverage word-of-mouth advertising throughout the community, county and region.
- Ask your City Council or County Commission to pass a resolution - on Florida’s 500 years, your local history, and how the community will use 2013 to expand learning and promotion of its cultural heritage.
- Bring in a speaker/scholar and/or sponsor a contest -(i.e., art or history bee) that depicts local and Florida History. The Florida Humanities Council has an outstanding Viva Florida 500 Speakers Bureau and various educational resources for teachers at www.TeachingFlorida.org.
- Participate in VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing programs – VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing organization, is planning several Viva Florida 500 marketing programs for 2013, including advertising opportunities in American Heritage and Florida Travel & Life magazines, targeted and themed media pitching, web banners, promotional templates and an interactive timeline on facebook. Visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org/VivaToolkit for more details.
For more information on Viva Florida 500 please consult these websites:
Viva Florida consumer website: www.VivaFlorida.org
Florida Department of State: www.DOS.state.fl.us
Florida Humanities Council: www.FlaHum.org
Florida Department of State, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 23299; 850-245-6500, florida500info@dos.myflorida.com
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