Organic-first visibility, lean spend
From May 25, 2025 to May 25, 2026, Visit Smokies generated 26M+ total estimated gross impressions through an organic-first visibility strategy supported by lean advertising and website infrastructure investments.
With $51,414.09 in total visibility-supporting spend, Visit Smokies achieved an estimated $1.98 effective CPM, showing strong value compared with common paid media benchmarks. More importantly, much of this visibility came through higher-intent channels, including organic content, direct website discovery, earned media, referrals, backlinks, partner amplification, visitor planning demand, and regional storytelling.
This distinction matters. Paid impressions show that an ad was served. Visit Smokies' impressions show that audiences were actively searching, clicking, returning, watching, following, reading, sharing, and discovering the destination through trusted and organic pathways.
What Worked
Visibility was driven through higher-intent channels including organic content, direct website discovery, earned media, referrals, backlinks, partner amplification, visitor planning demand, and regional storytelling.
Why It Matters
Paid impressions show that an ad was served. Visit Smokies' impressions show that audiences were actively searching, clicking, returning, watching, following, reading, sharing, and discovering the destination through trusted and organic pathways.
The Impact
Strengthened partner engagement, regional leadership, business education, and research-backed advocacy while delivering high-value visibility and stretching every dollar through organic growth and smart strategy.
Performance highlights
Partner engagement and regional leadership
Expanded storytelling continued through Stories of the Southern Smokies and other content initiatives.
Overall, Visit Smokies did not just buy reach. It earned qualified attention, strengthened destination credibility, and stretched every dollar through organic growth, direct demand, earned visibility, and smart strategic support.