Contract Award Includes Website, Social, Additional Online Components

The Texas tourism industry generates some $7.8 billion in tax revenue, has a $169.8 billion economic impact and creates jobs.

The Office of the Texas Governor has awarded a tourism and marketing services contract to Proof Advertising of Austin, which will manage traveltexas.com and related websites as part of its obligation.

The contract is worth $50 million and runs through Aug. 31, 2024, with potential for renewal through 2026.

Traveltexas.com supports tourism and out-of-state and in-state travelers.

The website, which uses responsive design, requires technical aspects including program management, development, search engine optimization, programming, software testing and maintenance, hosting, mirror site and database management. Content includes articles and graphics, and marketing includes email campaigns.

The contract requires social media management of multiple channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

The site and its microsites are interactive and must be available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, according to the original request for proposals (RFP) No. 301-22-00956.

The Governor’s Office “will not relinquish control over advertising and marketing decisions to the contractor. Rather, the contractor shall provide all services and goods ... with the Office of the Governor’s prior approval,” according to the RFP. The award is dated Sept. 6.

Proof Advertising lists clients including Visit San Antonio, Baylor University and Austin.

The Governor’s Office posts bids at TxSmartBuy under member No. 301. It has posted an RFP for statewide economic development planning that is due by Nov. 10.