Marketing

Downtown Guide & Map

Downtown Vision compiles and prints the Downtown Guide, a map and Downtown directory of dining, shopping, hotels and other Downtown services. More than 75,000 copies of the guide are distributed annually in partnership with Visit Jacksonville.

Events & Promotions

Downtown Vision produces four signature events: First Wednesday Art Walk (the first Wednesday of every month), Movies in the Park, in partnership with JAX Parks (every spring), Eat Up Downtown (annually in August) and the Downtown Historic Church Tour (annually in December). With these events and promotions, Downtown Vision brings thousands of additional visitors Downtown to increase pedestrian activity and support existing businesses for an additional 30+ days a year.

Arts Initiative – Off the Grid

Off The Grid is a partnership between artists, property owners, Downtown Vision, Inc. and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Off the Grid facilitates introductions between Jacksonville artists and Downtown property owners in an effort toactivate vacant spaces in the urban core with artistic energy and provide artists with much needed work and exhibition space.  Starting Fall 2009, Off the Grid has partnered with more than a dozen galleries and working studios and is fostering the growth of a new creative energy Downtown.

The Core

To support the emerging nightlife scene Downtown, Downtown Vision led development of a partnership between the local bar and nightclub owners for a series of promotions to promote the many diverse nightlife options Downtown. The Core is comprised of the main arteries of Downtown where nightlife entrepreneurs are creating a new vibe in the epicenter of Jacksonville.  From Bay, Forsyth and Adams Streets to the Jacksonville Landing, the nightlife and entertainment scene is happening in The Core.  Popular promotions and parties throughout the course of the summer included the Great Fire Party (a commemoration of the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901), the Great Pirate Party and of course, a great partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars that kicked off with Teal Town Downtown.  For more information and to stay up-to-date on the latest action in The Core, follow The Core Jax on Facebook and TheCoreJax on Twitter.

Web/Mobile Site 

Since its inception, Downtown Vision has managed Downtownjacksonville.org, a website dedicated to providing a comprehensive calendar of Downtown events, maps, parking guides, information on doing business Downtown, advocacy efforts and more, all in an effort to help educate people about Downtown. The website provides information on why Downtown is the place to be and enhances the visitor experience. DTJax.org is the companion mobile site to help visitors find parking, events and businesses while on the go.

Building Kiosks

Scattered throughout office buildings and parking garages Downtown are 21 rackcard kiosks provided by Downtown Vision, Inc.  Filled to the brim with information on events and Downtown, the Downtown Ambassadors restock the kiosks routinely, ensuring a fresh flow of information, plus a constant supply of Downtown Guides for workers, residents and visitors. 

Explore the More – IDA Award

In 2010, the International Downtown Association (IDA) awarded Downtown Vision a Downtown Pinnacle Award, the IDA's highest honor for success and innovation in downtown development worldwide.  One of ten winners, Downtown Vision won the marketing and communications category for the Explore the More campaign.  The campaign was Downtown Vision's largest marketing partnership to date, involving more than 50 property owners, 100 street level retailers and city support for a unified effort to promote Downtown Jacksonville.  IDA also praised the program's low cost, grassroots efforts and approach, which can be replicated easily in other downtowns.   The campaign was also featured in one of the industry's leading publications, Downtown Promotion Reporter, which specifically highlighted the parking meter wraps with Downtown's mobile website address, DTJAX.com, as the most innovative marketing strategy of 2009.  As a result, Downtown Vision received numerous calls from other cities inquiring about the campaign and various elements as they sought to adapt concepts to their own needs.  Downtown Vision collaborated with local agency, Burdette Ketchum, to develop the campaign. 

Communications

Downtown Vision is featured in more than 400+ media stories placed in print, radio, TV and online in 2010. Downtown Jacksonville and Downtown Vision are making the news.  Downtown Vision also produces several e-newsletters, including: a biweekly events eblast, Things to Do Downtown; and a monthly news update on activity Downtown and DVI, Downtown Jacksonville Update. Other e-newsletters are distributed for special events and initiatives.  For a full listing and to subscribe, click here.

Social Media is an essential part of every place and product, and Downtown is no exception.  Downtown Vision maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts that keep its followers clued in to the latest happenings Downtown, provides snapshots of great lunch locales and nightlife action and provides information on Downtown Vision’s signature events.  Facebook and Twitter also allow Downtown Vision to share information provided by Downtown retailers and restaurants, allowing for another low-cost, grassroots marketing opportunity. 

Partnerships

Downtown Vision believes that creating partnerships and working together are essential for the health and growth of the Downtown community.  Some of our partnerships for 2011 include GoLo, a promotion focused on buying from locally owned, locally operated businesses in Jacksonville’s historic urban neighborhoods and CoWork Jax, an initiative to bring coworking to Downtown Jacksonville.  Downtown Vision has also helped raise funds for the St. Johns Riverkeeper with the Great Pirate Party in The Core and the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition with the Downtown Historic Church Tour. 

Numerous organizations and individuals use Art Walk as a platform to further their individual projects.  For example, Downtown Vision helped the Jacksonville Transportation Authority launch a demonstration program for running the Riverside Trolley for extended hours.