Explore Maple Ridge Guide
The Explore Maple Ridge Guide was developed as a unifying tourism and community-facing publication designed to consolidate the city’s seasonal activity guides, event calendars, and promotional materials into one streamlined, user-friendly piece. Its purpose was to offer residents and visitors a comprehensive, visually appealing, and easy-to-navigate resource showcasing events, attractions, parks, and tourism businesses across Maple Ridge. The guide was a response to a growing need for a harmonized approach to tourism and event marketing, enabling broader awareness while supporting the “One City” campaign.
Prior to this publication, the City relied on fragmented, frequently updated flyers and seasonal brochures. While functional, they often caused increased cost, print waste, and information gaps. This guide addressed merging these silos into a singular strategic product, delivering cost savings, reducing environmental impact, and strengthening our tourism identity.
The anticipated outcomes included:
- Clearer presentation of tourist and community offerings
- Increased participation and engagement from both residents and visitors
- More inclusive storytelling of what Maple Ridge has to offer
- Enhanced visibility for featured local businesses and community groups
Distribution was multi-channel: digital copies were promoted through social media campaigns and QR code placements; physical copies were shared at major local events and visitor touchpoints. We also designed it with accessibility and aesthetics in mind to ensure appeal across demographic lines.
Though quantitative feedback is ongoing, early results are encouraging. Users have expressed high satisfaction with the ease of use and design. The guide’s integration into the city’s broader marketing efforts, including Tourism Tuesday features and media partnerships, has reinforced its value.
The primary challenge was coordinating input and content across multiple departments and stakeholder groups. Each had different priorities and storytelling angles. Through collaborative editing and strategic content merging, we prioritized high-traffic tourist locations, signature events, and major seasonal highlights. Redundant or conflicting messaging was removed, and the tone was standardized for consistency and impact.
Our target audience was broad but intentional: we aimed to reach both residents (to foster local pride and participation) and visitors (to support tourism growth). This included families, outdoor enthusiasts, young professionals, and retirees, reflecting Maple Ridge’s diverse community and tourism appeal.
The Explore Guide also played a role in supporting sustainability goals. By reducing frequent reprints and encouraging digital engagement via QR codes and online editions, we significantly cut paper waste. The guide actively promotes hiking, cycling, and local food—positioning sustainable travel and wellness as cornerstones of the Maple Ridge visitor experience.
Ultimately, the Explore Maple Ridge Guide has become more than a publication—it’s a tool for local discovery, a bridge between city departments, and a practical expression of community values through tourism storytelling.
Explore Maple Ridge: Events, Activities & Places
