Nova Scotia Tourism Launches 'Hit the Road With Me' Contest

Fans of the province will be creating their dream Nova Scotia road trips with a new Facebook contest, for a chance to have their dream come true.

Nova Scotia tourism launched its Hit the Road With Me contest today, May 13, tempting potential visitors with a grand prize road trip to Nova Scotia, valued at up to $10,000.

"The Hit the Road With Me promotion is just one of the innovative tactics we have launched to attract more first-time visitors to Nova Scotia," said Nova Scotia Tourism Agency CEO, Patrick Sullivan. "Through this year's marketing campaign, Take Yourself There, we are reaching people in our key markets who haven't yet had the opportunity to discover all of the amazing things our beautiful province has to offer."

In addition to the grand prize, each week, one lucky winner will receive an iPod Shuffle, loaded with a Nova Scotia playlist.

Hit the Road With Me will ask contestants to think about where they would like to travel in the province, what kind of activities they would like to do, and who they would like to bring along for the ride.

Participants can choose six exciting activities from 32 options, and enter the contest once a day. The range of choices includes everything from a thrilling hot-air balloon ride, to a great day at the beach, to a discovery tour of historic lighthouses. Each contestant can choose three Facebook friends to join in the fun.

"It's great to see the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency coming up with fun and innovative social media campaigns to help attract new visitors to the province," said Katherine Bailey, co-owner of East Coast Balloon Adventures.

Social media is a major component of this year's tourism marketing campaign. The Nova Scotia Tourism Facebook page is closing in on 100,000 fans, and the focus remains on engagement. For example, the weekly Friday Fan Photos, an album of user-submitted photos, receives more than 1,000 likes and 500 shares each week, with many fans posting positive comments.

According to socialbaker.com, a popular social media analytics platform, the Nova Scotia Tourism page is often among the top five Facebook pages in Canada for engagement.

The Hit the Road With Me contest runs until June 24. To enter, simply "like" the Nova Scotia Tourism Facebook page. The grand prize-winner will be notified by July 2.

For more information, visit www.novascotia.com

FACEBOOK, GOPRO TO TAKE THE STAGE AT TAHOE SNOWCIAL

Time Running Out to Secure Rooms at Harveys, the Official Conference Hotel

Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – Reinforcing its claim as the world’s coolest social media conference, Tahoe Snowcial (www.tahoesnowcial.com) has announced that Facebook, GoPro and Nestle will speak at this month’s event, rounding out a line-up you’d expect at the top conferences in Austin, New York or San Francisco.

Dean Eckles is social scientist, statistician, and member of the Data Science team at Facebook. He investigates how interactive technologies affect human behavior by mediating, amplifying and directing social influence. Dean is co-editor of Mobile Persuasion: 20 Perspectives on the Future of Behavior Change (2007), and his research appears in proceedings and journals in computer science, marketing, and statistics. Dean holds degrees from Stanford University in philosophy (BA), cognitive science (BS, MS), and statistics (MS), and communication (PhD).

Paul Crandell is vice president of marketing for GoPro, the world’s leading activity image capture company. He has a long history of strategic sports marketing, brand building, athlete development and event ideation for companies like Q Sports Architects, ICON Aircraft and Red Bull.

In her role as brand manager for Nestle, Stephanie Naegeli is responsible for the digital communication, social media and branding for the NESCAFE and NESQUIK product lines.

Eckles, Crandell and Naegeli bring even more learning opportunities to a speaker roster that already includes:

·         Tariq M. Shaukat, Caesars Entertainment

·         Patrick Harrington, Targeting@WalmartLabs

·         Stanley Hainsworth, Tether

·         Christopher Steiner, Aisle50

·         Ian Swinson, Salesforce.com

·         Chris Heuer, Deloitte Digital

Tahoe Snowcial will also feature a performance by Philadelphia alternative hip-hop band G. Love & Special Sauce. With their unique laid-back blues sound and classic R&B grooves, the popular foursome will delight the Snowcial crowd with popular singles such as “Baby’s Got Sauce,” “Cold Beverage” and “Peace, Love and Happiness.”

In addition to two half-day conference sessions, Tahoe Snowcial also offers three days of skiing or snowboarding at Heavenly Mountain Resort, a headline concert at Harrah’s Resort Casino, an Ignite event and a digital film fest. Register now at www.tahoesnowcial.com. The last chance to be included in the specially-priced Snowcial room block at Harveys Lake Tahoe, the official hotel of the event, is February 8, 2013.

Called the Sundance for the Facebook generation, Tahoe Snowcial is sponsored by Heavenly Mountain Resort, and Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe. It is the most significant event for connecting the connected snowsports enthusiast.

About Snowcial

Slated for February 27 – March 2, 2013, the top minds from the worlds of digital storytelling, snowsports and social media will converge on Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe for the fifth annual Tahoe Snowcial (www.tahoesnowcial.com), a winter social media and technology festival that celebrates a common passion for snow and provides attendees with insights from some of the most innovative players in the market today.

The most unique conference in both the ski industry as well as the tech industry, Tahoe Snowcial will bring together thought leaders and experts in technology, social media and snowsports to spark new ideas for the future and link networks, passions, and turns. An event that places as much emphasis on interaction as it does education, Snowcial provides an on- and off-mountain atmosphere where opportunities for personal and professional development flourish.

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe and the beautiful Sierra Nevada serve as an incredible backdrop for Tahoe Snowcial 2013. The event is designed for any and all technology, social media and snowsports enthusiasts looking to increase their knowledge base and connect with other brands in the changing digital landscape.

Sponsorship Opportunities
For sponsorship information, contact the Snowcial Sales Department at  snowcial@gmail.com.