Kokomo — Kokomo and Howard County tourism is going high tech with the planned launch of a smartphone “app” in time for the Super Bowl, the first week of February, in Indianapolis.
The marketing committee of the Visitor’s Council has been working on development of an app to showcase attractions, events and dining in Kokomo. A sample of the proposed app, to be launched Jan. 25, 2012, was presented to the Kokomo/Howard County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau board Tuesday.
The app will include a home page, with rotating pictures of area attractions. It will include information on where to stay, where to eat, things to do, events and more.
“We’re in the development phase,” Sherry Matlock of the visitor’s bureau said. “We are going to start gathering information on area attractions, events and businesses next week.”
The CVB spent $13,000 with an Indianapolis company to develop the app, which will cost between $300 and $350 monthly.
Matlock said only Indianapolis and Columbus have such apps, and Hamilton County also is in the process of developing one. The Kokomo app will be able to be downloaded from iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets.
Kim Morgan, working with the sports committee of the Visitor’s Council, said the group has identified three top events to promote in 2012. One is a marathon or half-marathon along the U.S. 31 corridor, four events at Kokomo Speedway, and either a Gus Macker three-on-three basketball tournament or state Hall of Fame golf outing.
The sports committee is working with a $20,000 budget and has designated $10,000 for the rental of high-end portable restrooms for events at Highland Park and downtown.