Marketing Benefits & Submission Guidelines
Get the most out of your business or nonprofit partnership with Venice MainStreet by taking advantage of these marketing opportunities. They are available to Partners who are up-to-date on payment of their annual membership. JOIN OR RENEW today!
Online Directory Listing
Directory Search: Searches can be done via keywords such as products, business name or any text in your business profile at Visitvenicefl.org/business-directory/
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, high resolution logo and photos at least 1MB
Deadline: Rolling (edits are possible at any time)
Cost: FREE
Printed Directory Listing
Reach: 15,000+ copies of Venice, Florida Directory
Distribution: Kiosk in Centennial Park, VMS office, all VMS events, Visit Sarasota Welcome Centers, Visit Sarasota Mobile Welcome Center, Venice City Hall, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Venice Municipal Airport
Includes: Business name, address, phone, website
Published: Annually in January
Deadline: Updates to contact information must be made by November 1
Cost: FREE
Weekly e-Newsletter
Reach: 13,000+ subscribers
Includes: New partner welcome; renewal acknowledgement with your logo; your submitted digital events, flyers or ads. Your digital flyer or ad will be featured for 2 consecutive weeks. After 2 weeks, you must submit a new ad. Free events are posted no more than 3 consecutive weeks in advance of date; ticketed events are posted no more than 5 consecutive weeks in advance of date.
Formats: PNG, JPEG, or PDF at least 500KB; low resolution/pixelated graphics will not be accepted
Deadline: Wednesdays at 12pm
Published: Thursdays by 5pm
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, knicknamed The Downtowners, during the peak season, from November-April. Shifts are typically from 11am-2pm, Tuesdays 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 fliers to the VMS office or email to info@venicemainstreet.com. These will be posted in the kiosk windows. Printed fliers cannot exceed 8.5″ x 11″ and must be portrait orientation. Plastic protective sleeves are provided by VMS.
Rack cards, coupons, other: Volunteers have access to these materials inside the kiosk and distribute to visitors when asked.
Note: Space is limited, so posted 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 designated 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 sidewalk sales. Free music or fundraisers may be shared when requested. Shared posts are at the discretion of VMS staff.
Shout outs: New VMS partners will be welcomed on Facebook and tagged
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 a free event or 3 weeks prior to a ticketed event.
Cost: FREE
Additional Marketing Opportunities
Upgrade your marketing reach by taking advantage of affordable advertising in Venice MainStreet’s printed directory, website, and at Signature VMS 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 of Venice, Florida Directory
Distribution: Kiosk in Centennial Park, VMS office, all VMS events, Visit Sarasota Welcome Centers, Visit Sarasota Mobile Welcome Center, Venice City Hall, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Venice Municipal Airport
Published: Annually in January
Requirements: 300dpi at full size in PDF, JPG or PNG; scans of business cards are not accepted
Deadline for Payment: September 15
Deadline for artwork submission: October 15
ShopVeniceFL.com Online Marketplace
Reach: Global market; stats will be compiled in 2023
Sign up: Rolling basis for 1 year contract with renewal option
Requirements: Read Terms of Use on ShopVeniceFL.com. Contact Kara Morgan for more information at kara.morgan@venicemainstreet.com
Website Ads on VisitVeniceFL.org
Reach: 100,000+ (November-April); 30,000+ (May-October) on visitvenicefl.org
Size Requirements: 240 x 400 pixels
Deadline: Rolling
Pricing: $100/month or $1,000/year
Sponsor Signature VMS Events
Get your brand out there by sponsoring a Venice MainStreet event. From wine walks and Oktoberfest to the Venice Beach Party and Friday Night Gazebo Concert Series (to name a few), there are 30+ events with thousands of people attending held throughout the year. There are also marketing opportunities in our printed Annual Events brochure.
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 on the Venice MainStreet group page published twice every month in the Venice Gondolier and Sun Weekly South Sarasota County. This offer also includes Free Color! These rates are effective starting June 1, 2022.
Reach: 45,000+ readers plus digital subscribers
Distribution: Bi-monthly
Contact: Contact Laureen Martel 941-207-1661 or Laureen.Martel@yoursun.com
SRQ Digital Display Ads
Leverage discounted co-op advertising opportunities with VMS at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). In 2017 Venice MainStreet created a large advertising mural titled “Venice Is” with digital displays at 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.
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 sponsors are loyal supporters of our initiatives of economic vitality, historic preservation and beautification. 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.