Some say timing is everything. That’s especially true with Destination: Muncie, formerly known as the Muncie Visitors Bureau.
In September 2023, the bureau members began brainstorming ways to rejuvenate its appeal. Embracing the mission of promoting the beauty and vibrancy of Muncie and Delaware County, it ultimately emerged as Destination: Muncie on February 29, leap day, with a launch party.
The unveiling of the new identity seemed perfectly aligned with the buzz surrounding April’s cosmic spectacle – a total solar eclipse. Positioned directly in the eclipse’s path of totality on April 8, Muncie was set to become a magnet for thousands of people from all over the world.
Part of Destination: Muncie’s mission is to reimagine the community to be everything it can be, and the team has been crafting that message. “You can ignore tourism advertising, but you can’t ignore an eclipse,” said Director of Marketing Trenton Bush. “The eclipse forces visibility, so we were able to get our brand launched with a feel of how the eclipse was being launched.”
The team at Destination: Muncie is particularly proud of the updated website. With seamless navigation and nonintrusive messaging, the site is dedicated to promoting Muncie’s attractions. It includes the new experience guide (also available in print), showcasing the variety of experiences Muncie has to offer. “We didn’t want a website, we wanted a wow site,” said Bush. “The landscape of tourism is changing. We still want to be your resource for maps, brochures and local buzz, but we’re so much more than that.”
“There’s nothing to do in Muncie” is a phrase that Destination: Muncie is proud to challenge. Partnering with local organizations and nonprofits leads to community collaboration. It provides scholarships and grants to better Muncie as a whole. One example of this collaboration is its partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. “I’ve been proud of our partnership with Destination: Muncie,” said Jason Newman, Boys & Girls Club executive director. “They help us collect supplies to feed our kids through our snack drives, and help our kids express themselves through our art supply drives.”
421 S Walnut St., Ste 100
Muncie, Indiana 47305
To enhance the allure of local water-based leisure activities, Destination: Muncie has joined forces with the Ball Brothers Foundation. This collaboration aims to enlarge the beach area at Prairie Creek and construct charming beach bungalows. Thanks to this partnership, access to the beach will now be complimentary. Furthermore, efforts to elevate the condition of the White River, a crucial natural resource for Muncie, will ensure it becomes more accessible, including the installation of new launch points for kayaking enthusiasts.
Nestled within Destination: Muncie, The Cat’s Pajamas gift shop has also changed. Paying homage to Jim Davis’ iconic “Garfield,” The Cat’s Pajamas has expanded its offerings beyond the usual T-shirts and plush toys. The store now showcases a selection of goods from local creators, including Debbie’s Handmade Soap and the Muncie Map Company, and is eagerly seeking new local artists to spotlight.
With a new message and Hoosier hospitality, Destination: Muncie is ready to welcome the curious and the adventurous. “We have it all,” Bush said. “Our task is to get the word out to the world.”
For more information, visit destinationmuncie.org.
