The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) announced the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) as the winner of the 2019 Toll Excellence Award for Customer Service and Marketing Outreach.
THEA garnered the international recognition for innovative excellence in community outreach during the construction of the Selmon West Extension project.
“We are thrilled IBTTA is awarding THEA with the Toll Excellence Award for Customer Service and Marketing Outreach,” said Vincent J. Cassidy, THEA’s Board Chairman, in a news release. “THEA is invested in the betterment of our community, and the communication’s team multi-faceted outreach effort exemplifies THEA’s commitment to the health and growth of our region.”
The Selmon West Extension is a 1.9-mile toll lane currently under construction in the median of Gandy Boulevard, which will give drivers the option to access Gandy Boulevard for local destinations or use the Selmon Extension for a direct connection to the Selmon Expressway or the Gandy Bridge.
THEA’s marketing and communications team worked hand-in-hand with members of the surrounding communities, and residents and business owners along the Gandy corridor to ensure all stakeholders were well-informed and involved before construction began. THEA’s team developed and executed a multifaceted local campaign that was deemed to be innovative and community-centric. One initiative was Shop Gandy!, which was created to draw more customers to the businesses along the Gandy Boulevard corridor by using social media posts, earned media opportunities, and locally hosted events to help local businesses thrive during the construction of the Selmon Extension.
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SOURCE: Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority
