Harford County gathered more than 120 hoteliers, museums, attractions, and other tourism-related organizations on Thursday for the launch of “Hello
Harford,” the county’s new approach to tourism using innovative technology, strategic marketing, and inclusive collaboration.
Tourism marketing is funded by the county’s 6% hotel tax.
The launch event at Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace was organized by the Harford County Department of Economic Development, which is overseeing Hello Harford under the direction of the county’s new tourism manager, Jodi Marschhauser.
Attendees were introduced to two new technology platforms purchased by the county, which will be available to all tourism-related organizations: Placer AI and Let’s Rallie. Placer AI allows event organizers to understand visitor foot traffic and behavior in real time, such as when people are coming to events and where they’re coming from. This data allows for targeted and more responsive marketing strategies. Let’s Rallie assists visitors and organizers of larger events with an interactive map showing exactly where each vendor is and allows real-time notifications for announcements, schedule changes, and pop-up activities to communicate with attendees.
“Instead of guessing what is working—we will know. Instead of hoping people saw an ad, we’ll be able to track patterns and trends,” Marschhauser said. “This gives you a huge advantage as we build campaigns, schedule events, and support local businesses in the ways that matter most.”
Based on that research, the county developed branding and has begun digital marketing and targeted social media posts to reach and attract customers who might not otherwise have known about or thought of coming to Harford. The new Hello Harford logo, website, and Facebook page identify the county as a friendly place that’s easy to reach for a weekend trip filled with festive events, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation.
Marschhauser said the website, www.helloharford.com, and Facebook page were built to be the go-to hubs for information, stories, events, and visuals that inspire visitors and locals alike.
“Whether someone’s planning a trip or already here looking for things to do, we want to make it seamless, engaging, and exciting,” she said.
