Predator Ridge bought billboard space in Calgary for its We Love Alberta campaign.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Predator Ridge
May 14, 2019 - 9:30 AM
VERNON - Predator Ridge Resort has a simple message it wants to share with its neighbours to the east: We love Alberta.
While the B.C. and Alberta governments enter yet another month in their seemingly intractable pipeline feud, the Vernon-based resort is reaching out to let its Albertan customers know how valued they are in the Okanagan.
"Albertans are our friends," said Brad Pelletier, senior vice-president of Westbild, the resort's parent company.
"No one would dispute how important Albertans are to Okanagan tourism."
Pelletier said the tensions between the two provinces over gas prices and other matters is hurting Okanagan businesses. He said they usually get 25,000 visits from Albertans each year, but that number dipped in 2018, which he blames on the provincial spat.
Pelletier wanted to address this problem and after the Alberta election last month, he took action. On April 17 he bought billboard space in Calgary and filled it with a sign that read, "Our love is real."
Predator Ridge's We Love Alberta campaign includes online promotion and newspaper ads. The campaign is aimed at Albertans and it's designed to tell them how valued they are in the Okanagan.
"It's a pure message," Pelletier said.
Along with the billboard in Calgary, Predator has one in Edmonton, also promoting the campaign of Alberta love.
The campaign offers special perks for Albertans, including a complimentary bottle of Commonage Lanata at check-in. If Albertans book a spot for two nights at the resort before June 15, they'll get the third night for free.
Pelletier said he's been overwhelmed by the positive response to the campaign, especially during a time when B.C. and Alberta's icy relationship doesn't look ready to thaw out any time soon. He said the campaign will continue to grow and expand as they hope to attract more Albertans to the Okanagan.
"It's just in the infancy," he said. "It's really making an impact."
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News from © iNFOnews, 2019