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Hayward Lakes reports successful spring marketing and ad campaigns
Summary
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau reported increased website engagement and strong performance on targeted ad campaigns for spring fishing, ATV/UTV trails and family travel; staff highlighted YouTube and Google ad metrics and partnerships with parent-focused publications.
Mindy Simons of Hayward Lakes briefed the Sawyer County Economic Development UW Extension Committee on spring marketing activity, reporting increased web engagement and successful digital ad metrics aimed at attracting family and outdoor visitors.
The report matters because tourism is a major local economic driver and early-season bookings influence businesses that depend on spring and summer travel. Simons said website engaged sessions rose 45% over the past 30 days and that targeted campaigns for spring fishing, ATV/UTV trails and camping produced strong engagement.
Simons said a January–April digital campaign that included sponsored social media and email newsletters performed well; a March email produced strong time-on-page metrics and site visits averaging more than two minutes. She said Google pay‑per‑click ads and YouTube video ads showed high view rates: the YouTube view rate exceeded 75% and nearly all viewers who engaged watched the videos in full. Simons said partner placements ran with Chicago Parent, Milwaukee and Madison Moms and Minnesota Parent to target families.
She said ATV‑trail searches and spring fishing were top keywords, and that trails opened May 1. The bureau planned additional camping ads running through June. Simons offered to take questions and pointed committee members to analytics in the bureau’s report.
Ending: The committee acknowledged the results and had no follow-up requests; Simons said the bureau will continue digital outreach into the spring and summer season.
