PARTNER PROGRAM

We Pine For East Texas

Together We Are Stronger Than The Sum Of Our Trees

The Texas Forest Trail Region is a network of partners working together to foster regional economic development by promoting heritage tourism and the preservation of cultural and historic resources. Our Partnership program is the financial backbone of our non-profit organization.

Every dollar you contribute supports the diverse programs we provide across the region in the form of education, advertising, and outreach to the traveling public.

Benefit Summary

Partner Memberships Are Available To Organizations and Individuals Who Are Interested In Furthering Our Mission

We are a non-profit group that helps bring tax dollars and travelers to every county in East Texas, and provide communities with the tools, training, and professional support they need to preserve their history and successfully market their tourism sites and attractions. To find out more about who we are, click here.

Partner Appreciation

Our greatest strength is the mutually beneficial relationships we have developed with our expanding network of heritage tourism and economic development partners. Our benefits program offers online and public recognition; special member rates and discounts; a complimentary subscription to “The Medallion,” the Texas Historical Commission magazine; and “Services Credits” to be used like cash towards Trail services, like workshop registration fees or brochure advertising.

Marketing & Advertising

We use our marketing dollars to showcase the best of East Texas. We support heritage tourism in East Texas and promote our partners’ sites, communities and events through statewide advertising campaigns, event brochures, contests, tradeshow appearances, and featured press and blog articles. We introduce our partners’ content to new audiences, making their information available online and at the most popular tourist destinations across the state.

New Media Promotions

We actively engage online travelers using Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogger, YouTube and Tumblr. We bring state and national attention to historic sites, preservation initiatives and regional attractions in East Texas. On average, our media posts reach 40,000 viewers and 1,500 active users weekly. We constantly analyze trends and methods for keeping our engagement high.

Education & Networking

We provide our partners and communities with educational opportunities, including heritage tourism and marketing workshops, and online resources and training tools. The Training Library provides online access to the Destination Development Association’s (DDA) resource center created by destination marketing expert Roger Brooks. DDA provides monthly webinars, case histories, videos and how-to guides on 60+ topics including, branding, funding development, and marketing.

Resources & Research

Our extensive statewide relationships and industry assets expand the reach of our partners’ budgets. We connect our partners to valuable heritage tourism and economic development resources, including state and regional travel statistics, and current marketing and interpretive trends as well as research opportunities, site assessments, student interns and high-quality regional photography.

Add On Services

One size doesn’t always fit all. We offer additional “Add-On” services tailored to fit your organization, including tourism, marketing & preservation consultations and assessments, workshops and one-on-one training, social media training and takeovers, copywriting & content development, photography, advertising, and professional graphic design. Contact us for more information or to propose something new.

2021 Marketing Program

Celebrating Traveling & Exploring The Region

Come explore everything that East Texas has to offer.

Testimonials

What Our Partners Say About Us

“The Forest Trail is an essential resource in our tourism development and regional networking. Being a member of the TFTR has made it possible to reach a market previously unavailable to us. All this plus great workshops! We love the Texas Forest Trail Region!”

Carolyn Teague, The Mount Vernon Main Street Alliance

“Partnering with the Forest Region has been a boon for Kilgore. Our marketing efforts have amplified greatly with the consultation support and also the exposure that Kilgore receives on the Region’s social media channels. We are the richer for being a part of the Texas Forest Trail Region!”
Ryan Polk, Kilgore Chamber & Visitors Bureau

“The Texas Forest Trail provides a partnership for our community like no other in Texas. The support and services that are available to our staff and community have proven to be invaluable as we continue to evolve in this competitive environment. Having a partner that takes time to research and promote what we have to offer helps us keep Palestine on the map.”
Mary Raum, Palestine Texas Tourism

“Tyler loves partnering with the Forest Region. It really is the best way to combine all of our marketing efforts to get the biggest bang for our buck. When one of us wins, we all win!”
Holli Conley Fourniquet, Visit Tyler