This presentation by Kim Harbour of the West Virginia Department of Commerce was part of our webinar series.

1. Attracting Customers With Content 12.14.09 The Peer Networking Group for Senior Marketing Professionals in West Virginia

5. Kim Harbour WV Department of Commerce The Peer Networking Group for Senior Marketing Professionals in West Virginia

6. Kim Harbour, Marketing Director West Virginia Department of Commerce

10. LEISURE TRAVEL FACTORS INFLUENCING DESTINATION Very Important Somewhat Important NET Important Personal safety & security 63 29 92 Quality of the accommodations 53 38 91 Overall cleanliness of the destination 55 35 90 Climate conditions 50 38 88 The destination can be easily reached 46 40 86 Friendliness of the people 40 42 82 Quality of the restaurants 37 42 79 Availability of recreational activities 37 40 77 Diversity of culture/historical attractions 32 38 70 Unspoiled nature 26 42 68 Possibilities for shopping 22 36 58 Night life and entertainment 16 31 47

11. WV BUSINESS RECALL Unaware of these industries in WV

12. RELOCATION FACTORS INFLUENCING RELOCATION Very Important Somewhat Important NET Important Cost and quality of housing 73 24 97 Safety, low crime 73 24 97 Higher salary 66 22 88 Having more time for family/hobbies 53 35 88 Balance between work and home 51 35 86 Less commute time 45 35 80 Better business opportunity 47 32 79 Quality outdoor recreation 35 39 74 Proximity to family 42 31 73 Proximity to nature or wildlife 27 41 68 Good education system 46 21 67 Proximity to friends 27 38 65 Stronger community ties 26 39 65 Low business costs 30 32 62 Proximity to entertainment and nightlife 18 28 46

17. Show the state’s beauty BIG and BOLD: Talk about our international companies: Show the skilled worker – a key asset

21. High search engine ranking of online articles:

22. Success Story traffic drives more than one fourth of the traffic to the Come Home site!

32. Kim Harbour, Marketing Director [email_address] Thank You! Questions?

33. 1. Growing: In 2008, West Virginia’s economy grew three-and-a-half times faster than the rest of the nation. 2. Recommended: By Forbes, Inc., Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Where to Retire. 3. Location: West Virginia is within overnight trucking distance of more than half the U.S. population and a third of the Canadian population. 4. Profitable: Business costs are 13% below the U.S. average. 5. Productive: The state’s skilled workers are among the nation’s most productive, and turnover rates are some of the lowest in the country. 6. Global: Investments from 23 countries employ more than 20,000 West Virginians. The state’s exports grew by 41% last year—faster than the rest of the country. 7. Popular: 11 million overnight leisure travelers visited the Mountain State last year, contributing $3 billion to the state’s economy. 8. Affordable: The cost of living in West Virginia is 5.4% below the U.S. average. 9. Safe: The state has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. 10. Home: Low property taxes help West Virginia lead the nation in home ownership. The same money buys a much larger home than in other metros. Why West Virginia? Top 10

36. Thank you! Email [email_address] with any questions or suggestions