Coast tourism leaders are challenged to get the biggest bang for their advertising dollar in the current economy and are asking representatives of the local hotels, restaurants and casinos for guidance.

The Harrison County Tourism Commission decided to form an advisory committee from the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association, Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association Gulf Coast Chapter and Mississippi Casino Operators Association.

“We want to make sure that we’re advertising and representing them in the best possible light,” said Nicole Learson, director of marketing for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

This year’s advertising budget is just over $2 million thanks to a $1.6 million federal Community Development Block Grant for marketing the Coast as a vacation destination.

“It definitely helped us promote the Gulf Coast,” she said, but the grant ends this year. The budget before the county received the grant was around $1 million, funded through the hotel tax.

With occupancy down in the slow economy, “We have to be much more judicious in how we spend county funds,” said Learson. “At the same time we want to get the maximum impact.”

Each of the groups was asked to recommend two or three of their members who will serve on the committee.

“During these tough economic times, it benefits our destination to use the marketing experience of our partners,” said Richard Forester, CVB executive director. “With hotel revenue down we want to make sure we are placing advertising where it will serve the best interests of the Coast and create opportunities to co-op.”

The HCTC Advertising Committee meets at least once a month and chairman Rip Daniels said the new committee members’ marketing experience is welcome as the CVB plans its future campaigns. The CVB is working with the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association to offer a three hotel nights for the price of two promotion and partnered with the IP and Grand Biloxi casinos to promote new air service from Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla., and Atlanta to the Coast.

“These organizations have been and will continue to be strong allies as we move forward and grow the destination,” Daniels said.