Marketing
Marketing benefits
Get the most out of your business or nonprofit partnership with Venice MainStreet by taking advantage of these marketing opportunities. They are exclusively available to Partners who are up-to-date on payment of their annual partnership.
Online directory listing
Directory Search: Searches can be done via keywords such as products, business/org name or any text in your profile. Enhanced filter options for shops and restaurants include by location (Historic District, Around the Island, Mainland, Waterfront) and/or by “Offerings” (for shops) or “Options” (for restaurants).
Interactive Map Search: Zoom in to view your location, find your GPS dot and click to view thumbnail profile at Visitvenicefl.org/map-of-venice/
Reach: 100,000+ hits (November-April), 30,000+ hits (May-October) on VisitVeniceFL.org
Includes: Your business profile includes your name, logo, photos, address, map, phone, email, website, social media links, and a video (if available)
Formats: PNG or JPEG, good web resolution logo and photos, file size 2MB or under.
Deadline: Rolling (edits are possible at any time by contacting Venice MainStreet)
Cost: FREE
Printed directory listing
Reach: 15,000 copies of Historic Downtown Venice & Beyond: Visitors Guide & Preferred Partners Directory
Distribution: Kiosk in Centennial Park, VMS office, all VMS events, Visit Sarasota Welcome Centers, Venice City Hall, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
Includes: Business/org name, address, phone, website
Published: Annually in January
Deadline: Updates to contact information must be made by October 1. Partners must have valid annual partnership and not be overdue as of October 1. Overdue partners WILL NOT be included.
Cost: FREE (color ad space can be purchased; scroll down to Upgraded Benefits section to learn more)
Weekly e-newsletter
Reach: 14K+ subscribers / 60% average open rate
Includes: New partner welcome; renewal acknowledgement with your logo; your submitted digital events, flyers or ads. General announcements or promotions will be featured for 2 consecutive weeks. After 2 weeks, you can submit a new ad. Events are posted no more than 5 consecutive weeks in advance of the event date (or RSVP deadline).
Formats: PNG, JPEG, or PDF at least 500KB (under 5MB); low resolution/pixelated graphics will not be accepted
Deadline: Wednesdays at 12pm
Published: Thursdays by 4:30pm
View Past Newsletters: Archived newsletters can be viewed at Visitvenicefl.org/newsletters/
Cost: FREE
Online community calendar
Reach: 140,000+ website hits annually on VisitVeniceFL.org
Includes: Your event title, date, start and end time, location, brief description with contact information and/or website
Fill Out Form: visitvenicefl.org/calendar-submission-request/
Published: Ongoing; please allow at least 3 business days for new submissions to be uploaded to the website
Deadline: Rolling
View calendar: Events are posted on Visitvenicefl.org/calendar/
Cost: FREE
Information kiosk
The information kiosk is staffed by VMS volunteer Downtown Ambassadors, knick-named The Downtowners. They are available during the peak season, from November-April. Shifts are typically from 10:30am-2:30pm, Mondays through Saturdays, weather permitting. For more information about volunteering with Venice MainStreet CLICK HERE.
Location: Downtown Venice, Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida 34285
Fliers: Submit printed or digital event fliers to the VMS office or email to info@venicemainstreet.com. These may be posted in the kiosk windows, space permitting and at the discretion of VMS staff. Printed fliers cannot exceed 8.5″ x 11″ (portrait or landscape orientation).
Rack cards and brochures: Volunteers wheel out a brochure stand to make printed materials available to visitors. They must be 4″ x 9″. Business cards or other small sizes will not be accepted.
Note: Space is limited, so posted window fliers are at the discretion of VMS staff; events are given first priority. Printed fliers, once submitted to VMS, become the property of VMS and will NOT be returned.
Cost: FREE
Social media
Venice MainStreet’s social media pages are used primarily to promote the MainStreet organization, its events and other positive activities/projects occurring within the downtown district. Due to our high number of partners, we are unable to promote individual sales or discounts unless they are part of a larger organized effort or event, such as Christmas in July or other VMS events. Free live music or fundraisers may be shared when requested. Shared posts are at the discretion of VMS staff.
Hashtags: Use #venicemainstreet and #lovevenice
Cost: FREE
Gateway arch sign
VMS manages the messaging on the LED sign at the gateway of downtown Venice. Messages change in one minute intervals.
Permitted messages: Business or nonprofit events taking place in downtown Venice; typically large-scale, free events open to the public (some exceptions may apply; subject to VMS Board approval).
Guidelines: Requests must be made in writing at least 2 weeks prior to event; events will be posted no sooner than 2 weeks prior to the event (typically 10 days before).
Cost: FREE
Additional marketing opportunities
Upgrade your marketing reach by taking advantage of affordable advertising in Venice MainStreet’s printed directory, and at our Signature Events. Discounted ad rates with the Venice Gondolier Sun and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are also available.
Full color ads in printed directory
Reach: 15,000 copies distributed throughout Sarasota County
Published: Annually by January
Requirements: 300dpi at full size in PDF, JPG or PNG
Deadline for payment and graphic file: August 15 (ad sales typically start early July)
Event Sponsorship and Venice Sharks Tooth Festival
Get your brand out there by sponsoring a Venice MainStreet event. From wine walks to the Venice Beach Party to the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival (to name a few), there are 30+ events with thousands of people attending held throughout the year.
Show your support for these local community gatherings and get the marketing benefits too! Contact Kara Morgan, CEO Venice MainStreet, kara.morgan@venicemainstreet.com, 941-484-6722.
Discounted newspaper advertising
Get discounted rates by advertising with the Venice Gondolier and Sun Weekly when you mention you are a Venice MainStreet Partner.
Reach: 45,000+ readers plus digital subscribers
Contact: Amanda Young
amanda.young@yoursun.com
941-207-1242
SRQ digital display ads
Leverage discounted co-op advertising opportunities with VMS at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). In 2023, Venice MainStreet created a large adverting mural titled “Venice is for Everyone” with digital advertising displays in Baggage Claim.
Reach: 1,300,000 annual passengers visit SRQ with the majority passing through the Baggage Claim.
Sizes: 96″W x 48″H (artwork), 94″W x 46″H live area
Specifications: The resolution needs to be no less than 80dpi at 100% of the final size.
Pricing: $3,000-$6,000 per year
Contact: Kara Morgan, CEO Venice MainStreet kara.morgan@venicemainstreet.com, 941-484-6722.
Corporate Sponsorship Packages
Sponsorship is critical to develop and grow the economic impact VMS has on our community and your business. A sponsorship with VMS is both strategic and mutually beneficial. Our influence and reach is wide, reaching seasonal guests and year-round residents. This makes your investment a return that is second-to-none in the Venice community.
Contact: Kara Morgan, CEO Venice MainStreet kara.morgan@venicemainstreet.com, 941-484-6722.