Photo Credit: Courtesy of Global Marketing Solutions
Known for its 32 miles of sugar-white sand and sports facilities, the coastal communities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala., were thrust into the national spotlight due to the April 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Facing an almost insurmountable battle of public perception, the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, along with its parent organization, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism (CVB), worked diligently on numerous fronts to face this unprecedented challenge head-on. The following narrative explains the battle, the efforts and the results, which included record-breaking sports numbers.
The Opponent
“As ironic as this sounds, our biggest battle was not the oil products but the public’s perception of our beaches,” says Beth Gendler, who serves as the director of sales for both the sports commission and the CVB. “We knew that we had a long battle on our hands.”
The battle began just days after the rig exploded, as media reports speculated about the damaging effects the spill could possibly have on the tourism industry along the Gulf Coast.
