What is MEPP?
MEPP stands for Marketing and Events Partnership Program. In our opinion, it is one of the best business assistance programs available to outfitters and fishing lodges (as well as many other business types) in Saskatchewan. In fact, in speaking with Outfitters and Lodges from neighboring provinces, they state that they wish they had something similar. To use the description straight off the Tourism Saskatchewan site, "MEPP provides opportunities to partner with Tourism Saskatchewan in the promotion of tourism products, services, attractions and events." Funding amounts can reach up to $15,000 per applicant. We don't want to simply copy and paste all the information about MEPP here. We encourage you to visit the link above and read the official information directly.
How do you apply to MEPP?
From the link above, you will also find a link to the application process. You will need to first create a login account and then proceed to supply the required information for the applications. Prior to beginning your application, we strongly suggest that you put together a written marketing plan with a detailed budget. Netnotic has helped a number of Hunting Outfitters and Fishing Lodges to develop their marketing plan and then through the application process.
Is MEPP Free?
MEPP provides a very generous amount of marketing support funding, but it is not intended as the only source for your marketing funding. Expected in the application is a marketing plan and budget that details your expenditures and expecting that Tourism Sask is going to 100% fund your marketing program is unrealistic. You will need to show a significant amount of your own funding along side the MEPP funding.
How are Outfitters Using MEPP?
The MEPP program is quite flexible in regards to the activities that it can help fund. Here is a brief list of some of the many Marketing activities covered:
* website updates and new website development
* new content development
* online advertising campaigns such as Google Ads
* Search Engine Optimization
* offline media (billboards, radio and print ads) will also be considered
* trade shows
How can Netnotic Help?
We have been helping Outfitters and Lodges for a number of years. We are currently working with numerous clients, at the front end by assisting with plan development and the mechanics of the application, in the middle with the execution of their Marketing plan, and on the back end with the post-funding filing requirements. Without naming any names, we will provide a few examples of how our clients have taken advantage of the program and how they have benefitted.
Outfitter A: This project began a number of years ago as a web site development project and has recently grown into a larger project including SEO, new content development and YouTube channel, as well as Google Ads. The outfitter has an extremely high re-booking rate, but cancellations happen and that meant lost revenue opportunity. With a stronger marketing program these spots are being filled from the waiting.
Fishing Lodge B: This client had a well designed site in place and a strategy to produce new content on a regular schedule during in-season times. What was needed was a stronger pipeline of qualified traffic. The MEPP program helped to provide the funding for Search Engine Optimization efforts and Google Ads to fill in the gaps in the organic traffic. Existing content was improved, increasing the organic traffic (the best type of traffic there is).
Outfitter C: This outfitter has switched gears from a part-time outfitting endeavor with limited clientele, to a very intentional growth oriented business complete with their own lodgings (through a separate tourism business) and a full-scale operation planned. The business owners are strong content generators and able to produce great quality content for social media as well as the blog on their site. The primary requirement for this outfitter is to help optimize the site and blog content for better search engine performance. Secondarily, Netnotic has also helped to make adjustments in the Google Ads program they are self-managing.
Fishing Lodge D: Initially a website make project, the involvement of NMI has continued through providing website content management and social media management. When a few cancellations happened, we were able to crank up social media postings and launch a Google Ads campaign which helped to fill 75% of the cancelled spots.
If you have any questions?
Feel Free to Contact Us