Partner Handbook

Let's Get Started

Now that you are an official Visit Colorado Springs Marketing Partner, there are a few things we’ll need from you to get your business set up on our website and to make sure you’re included in all the right Visit COS promotional programs.

Here are 7 key items/to-do's to ensure you get the most out of your VCOS Partnership

1. Business Descriptions

Your partnership includes a listing in the directory section of the annual Official Vacation Planner (OVP). Please send us a short description (maximum 100 characters including spaces) of your business. Note that your address needs to be included in this count.

Website listings come with a 45-word description for each location your business is listed. If you are interested in upgrading your listing to an enhanced detail page, which includes a 300-word description, please reach out to Kim for more information.

2. Website Images

Send us (2) photos to use for your website listings. Photos must be 72 dpi with dimensions of at least 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. Upgrading your listing to an enhanced detail page will add (9) additional photos, a link to a YouTube video, and (2) additional pdf files. Reach out to Kim to get your enhancement started!

3. Attributes

Fill out the checklist of attributes that fit best for your business and include any that help your potential customer know what you have to offer. This information will show up on your website listing’s detail page. You can add items to the list by accessing your account information through the back-office portal. Click HERE to access the step-by-step instructions. You will need your account log in information including a username and password. If you don't know your username, please email Kim and she will assist you.

4. Deals & Holidays

The Coupons & Deals pages on our website receive a lot of traffic and the “Deals” opportunities are a free benefit of your partnership. You can create and display up to (3) Deals on our website to help promote your business throughout the year. The process is easy and involves going into your account information through the back-office portal. Step-by-step instructions to access your account are included HERE. Coupons are also available for an annual fee of $310.

One of our most-visited pages on our website are our Holidays and Events pages. Here visitors can find information about annual community events, as well as holiday celebrations and activities. Do you have a special event happening during a national holiday? If so, send us the information to Social@VisitCOS.com and we will include it on our Events/Holidays pages.

5. Brochures

If you have printed brochures or rack cards to help promote your business, drop some off at our Visitor Information Center in Downtown Colorado Springs (515 S. Cascade Ave.). Our hard-working volunteers answer guests’ questions and provide recommendations of things to do and see around the region, often giving visitors a handful of brochures to take with them. If you need some ideas on what works well in our brochure distribution, stop in and grab a few samples to use as a reference.

6. Partner Events

Helping our partners network and develop relationships with other VCOS partners in our region is an important goal for us every year. We host at least one event per month and many events are available for no charge or a nominal fee. Our event schedule includes quarterly business after-hours mixers, educational presentations, partner orientations, virtual Q&A sessions with our President and CEO, Doug Price, an Annual Business Meeting and Tourism Awards Celebration. For more information, go to visitcos.com/partners/partner-events.

7. VCOS Communications

We mainly communicate through emails and phone calls. Some emails come directly from us and others come from various online platforms. It is essential to have at least one person from your organization set up to receive our emails, including monthly Partner Newsletters, event invitations, emergency alerts and notifications about special opportunities. We will provide you with several domains and email addresses to whitelist at both your computer and server level.

But wait, there's more!

There are plenty of other ways you can get the most "bang for your buck" with your partnership by taking advantage of these additional services and offers.

Website Advertising

We are the most trusted travel resource for Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. Advertise on VisitCOS.com to reach a highly qualified, engaged audience planning travel and activities. Through effective native advertising, connect with locals and visitors searching for hotels, things to do, restaurants, attractions and events. More information is available here.

Social Media Support

Our social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube, -are dedicated to promoting our region & all the exciting events and attractions within it. We are always looking for new ways to feature partners – including special event promotions and spotlights. Have something to share? Send it to us at Social@VisitCOS.com.

We also regularly showcase partners through our various social media campaigns such as Tourism Takeover Tuesdays, Foodie Fridays, VCOS Blog Posts and Podcasts. Our marketing and communications team also interacts with professional travel writers and bloggers on a regular basis. Let us know if you would like to be included in any of these opportunities. For more information, you can reach out directly to Social@VisitCOS.com.

Official Vacation Planner

Every year, in partnership with Pikes Peak Regional Attractions, we publish our Official Vacation Planner. This includes articles, advertisements and business listings of all of our partner businesses in the community. Available in both physical and digital copies, these are distributed to hotel guests, visitors to our information center and anyone else who requests a copy.

Dining, Shopping & Entertainment Guide

This publication is a pocket-sized directory, designed for distribution to meeting and conference attendees. Free listings are included and advertising is available for any VCOS partner that provides dining, shopping or live entertainment experiences to visitors and groups.

Monthly Consumer E-Newsletter Advertising

Our consumer newsletter is targeted to viewers who have opted in to receive monthly communication from us about where to go and what to do in the Pikes Peak region. The number of contacts averages around 30,000 people and is fully vetted on a regular basis. Each newsletter offers a couple of advertisement spots that fill up quickly each year. For more information, reach out soon to Melissa@VisitCOS.com.

Stay Connected

The final thing we need from you is communication. Keep us updated on changes to your business – whether that’s new staff members, a change in leadership, or even just an exciting event you have coming up. We are always excited to promote new spots and things to do - the best way we can help you amplify your business is to have all the information.