Louisiana TIMED Program

1
Louisiana TIMED Program Road Show
2
TIMED Tour 2006 Overview

• Public outreach grassroots effort providing
  updates on Program progress
• 16 cities in two weeks
• More than 450 miles of TIMED Program routes
• Media blitz across rural Louisiana
• Strong elected official participation

3
Preparation Planning

• Utilized strong relationships with mayors and
  local officials
• Intense logistical coordination for site
  selection
• Production of print materials, latest project
  plans, promotional items
• Advertisement of road show two weeks prior to
  launch

4
Kickoff Event with the Governor

• Held media event to launch road show
• Governor, LA DOTD Secretary, legislators and
  local officials attended and spoke
• Held at southern end of major hurricane
  evacuation TIMED route
• 300 attendees

5
Kickoff Event with the Governor

• Strong media representation television and print
• Videographer hired to film and produce statewide
  video news release
• Two elementary school classes participated
• Rain contingency plan

6
What Did the Road Show Offer?

• Face-to-face time with project staff
• Opportunity to view project plans and ask
  questions
• Ability to learn more about transportation
  construction
• Register for future mail and electronic updates
• Chance to meet governor and elected officials

7
Budget

• RV rental and fuel 7,000
• Videographer 1,000
• Print material 1,000
• Staff shirts 2,500
• Promotional items 1,000
• Refreshments 250
• 12,750

8
Getting Results

• More than 50 elected officials in attendance
• Positive press coverage
• 250 registered visitors
• Increase in Web site traffic
• 10,000 total visitors in Sept/Oct 2006
• Enhanced relationships with local officials
• 2007 ARTBA PRIDE Award

9
Media Coverage

• Blanco starts tour in DeRidder
• Beauregard Daily News, 09/19/06
• TIMED tour begins
• KPLC-TV Lake Charles, 09/18/06
• TIMED Program launches road show
• Mansfield Enterprise, 09/14/06
• Tour touts progress of TIMED projects
• Shreveport Times, 09/17/06
• VNR of kickoff event distributed statewide
• 20 print articles

10
Lessons Learned

• Be prepared for tough questions
• Follow up with media
• Planning for details is critical
• andalways have a backup plan
• Follow local leads
• Maintain schedule
• Research the audience(s)