Nebraska Tourism promotes crane migration in new "honestly, it's not for everyone" campaign

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Erin Lenz at 402-326-9941, or [email protected]
Jenn Gjerde at 402-525-4455, or [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LINCOLN, Neb. (January 14, 2019) – Nebraska isn’t just fly-over country, and there are 500,000+ sandhill cranes who stop and visit every year to prove it.

The Nebraska Tourism Commission’s new campaign “Nebraska. Honestly, it’s not for everyone” hits out-of-state markets starting January 14 with a focus on promoting the sandhill crane migration.

Every spring, more than 500,000 sandhill cranes gather on Nebraska’s Platte River Valley, creating a beautiful spectacle and a one of a kind viewing experience for tourists.

“The new campaign is about targeting misperceptions people have about Nebraska. The crane migration fit into the mix because people frequently refer to the state as fly-over country,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism Commission executive director. "But that's because they haven't experienced the unmitigated awesomeness of the crane migration."

Last year was the first time the Nebraska Tourism Commission promoted the crane migration to out-of-state travelers. The 2018 crane promotion ran in key out-of-state markets from January through March. Results from the campaign showed a 740 percent increase in web traffic compared year over year from each target market and saw a 10 percent increase in lodging tax collected year over year.

Television and online advertisements promoting the crane migration will run in out-of-state markets including Denver, Sioux Falls, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka from mid-January to mid-March. The rest of the campaign will roll out in the spring.

Additionally, Nebraska Tourism is promoting the migration by hosting an event in Denver on January 17th. The event will showcase the spectacle to writers from the Denver area. Nebraska Tourism and partners from Grand IslandKearneyNorth Platte and McCook will give writers a taste of the state with Nebraska inspired appetizers and local wine and beer. A short video about the crane migration and Q&A with crane experts from the Nebraska Game & Parks CommissionCrane Trust and Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary will follow.

Want to join in on all the “Nebraska. Honestly, it’s not for everyone” fun? Use #HonestlyNE on social media or order “The Official 2019 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide” at VisitNebraska.com.

    Nebraska Crane Migration Campaign

 

For more information about travel, events and unique destinations in Nebraska, order your free travel guide today at VisitNebraska.com. Then stay connected with Nebraska Tourism on our Visit Nebraska Facebook page, on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Instagram and on YouTube.
 
The mission of the Nebraska Tourism Commission is to expand Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to VisitNebraska.com.

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