BIG PLANS: New Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association brand manager Simon Latchford wants Margaret River to be a leader in tourism initiatives.
THE new-look margaretriver.com website and a new television advertisement will be launched at an Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association networking evening tomorrow at Hay Shed Hill Winery.
The AMRTA will also introduce their new brand manager Simon Latchford and his team, and provide an update on the Margaret River Gourmet Escape and upcoming marketing initiatives.
Simon said the process of creating a new website had taken six months, after about a year of planning.
“The current website isn’t bad, but a lot needed improving, it’s more user friendly, there will be YouTube clips, an active Twitter, and new images,” he said.
The second stage of the new television ad, he said, would be more “edgy” and will screen around Australia.
“This will be standard 21st century marketing, taking regional WA to a new level,” he said.
“Margaret River will be a leader, not a follower.”
At the launch, he will explain more about the Gourmet Escape event, and provide a “snapshot over the next six months” for the AMRTA.
Simon’s marketing and development background includes roles in regional Queensland, the Whitsundays and Victoria.
He was won industry awards including the Destination Promotion Award at the Australian Tourism Awards and the Most Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an Individual.
His positions have included director of tourism for Echuca Moama Tourism (Victoria and New South Wales), a regional representative of the Murray Campaign Board (Tourism Victoria), chairman of the Tourism Whitsundays Destination Promotion, board member of the Whitsunday Development Corporation, and founder of the Echuca Moama Food, Wine and Produce Development Group.