Tourism office celebrates Day Tripper TV episode and OKs $150,000 Main Street holiday marketing campaign

City tourism staff highlighted a national TV segment and follow‑up marketing plans during the Oct. 20 council meeting, and the council approved a hotel/motel tax contract to promote a December downtown holiday campaign.

Sarah Dadelic (tourism manager) introduced Megan Godfrey and announced Grand Prairie was featured in Season 16, Episode 1 of The Day Tripper, a six‑time Emmy‑winning travel series that airs on PBS affiliates. Staff said the episode aired in early October; the Day Tripper produced additional video segments and promotions that have driven increased traffic to the city’s tourism web pages and social channels—staff reported organic traffic increases of “more than 245%” in the eleven days after the public airing.

Councilmembers and staff discussed a VIP watch party the tourism office held and collateral produced for local businesses; staff said the episode reaches PBS channels across 49 states with syndicated airings and social media and podcast exposure.

On the consent agenda the council approved a $150,000 contract funded by hotel/motel occupancy tax for the “Main Street Magic” holiday campaign focused on downtown Grand Prairie throughout December. Marketing staff said the hotel/motel tax must be spent to drive visitors and hotel stays; the campaign will include events, a landing page, screenings and promotional materials to encourage visitation and support downtown businesses.