Shores & Islands Ohio’s Vanna is the wheel deal

What is it: Shores & Islands Ohio recently appointed a new member to its marketing team.

The new employee, Vanna, will work outside of the office to promote the Shores & Islands Ohio area. Although she just recently moved to the region and is the visitor center’s youngest employee–she was born in 2023– Vanna is sure to be a pivotal member of the team.

Oh, did we forget to mention? Vanna is, well, a van. A 2023 RAM ProMaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van, to be exact.

Vanna is a mobile visitor center that “brings a fun and interactive way to engage with the public,” according to information from Shores & Islands Ohio. She will roll into community events, trade shows, parades, and festivals.

“While we have two welcome centers to assist our guests in Sandusky and Port Clinton, we want to be able to meet our residents and visitors where they are gathering in our communities for events or festivals,” says Amanda Smith Rasnick, Destination Development & Experience Director. “Our team is able to pull up Vanna to any community event and simply open our doors to provide Shores & Islands Ohio information and interactive games.”

What’s in a name: Vanna is a kiosk van with custom windows, awning, a swinging brochure rack on the passenger side, rear door brochure racks, a mobile webcam, and a generator for locations without power to operate the webcam, inflatable Lake Erie Love sign, and other amenities Shores & Islands Ohio will add at a later date. 

Assistant Marketing Director Jennifer Yochem created the van’s design, and Loris Printing installed the custom-wrap.

“This mobile information center is highly visible to attract people and provides a super fun backdrop for photos!” Smith Rasnick says. “Our team has supported events in the past by having information tables or booths, but Vanna will provide shelter for our team and make setup and teardown a breeze!” 

How to get involved: Be on the lookout for Vanna at upcoming events, and be SHORE to stop by to say hello.