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April 2, 2015

VOX SOLID COMMUNICATIONS: THE ORIGIN STORY

Today, we have a little #TBT dispatch about the origins of Vox Solid Communications.

Starting our own PR Agency happened slightly by accident, believe it or not. We had both worked in-house at Las Vegas tourism bureau and had amazing jobs that saw us traveling the world with Elvises and showgirl models promoting Las Vegas as the most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. At the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, we promoted not only the Las Vegas Convention Center and all its exciting business events and tradeshows, but also every Las Vegas resort, fine-dining restaurant, exciting Las Vegas attraction and more. It was exhilarating.

We also had the good fortune of meeting some of the most delightful people who handled public relations and marketing for all the resorts and attractions along the Las Vegas Strip, downtown Las Vegas and beyond. Back then, we probably didn’t realize our relationships with the tourism community would play an instrumental role in shaping the next professional chapter of our lives.

Fast forward to today, when Vox Solid Communications has established itself as a go-to PR agency for Las Vegas tours and attractions, as well as some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas. It so happens that some of those relationships made years ago, while working at the LVCVA, are among those that gave us our start as an independent agency.

A travel writers’ convention wayyyy back in 2005 brought Marina and Erika into contact with Darla Cook, vice president of PR for Forever Resorts. Forever is a wonderful company that operates boating marinas, houseboat rentals, lodges and tours in some of the United States’ most beloved national parks and outdoor recreation destinations. When Erika made the move to leave her corporate job for the more flexible schedule of a freelancer, Darla was the very first person to reach out and inquire about starting up PR services. Of course, Erika was excited to have such an amazing client right out of the gate and is “forever” grateful (see what I just did, there?) for Darla’s vote of confidence way back when.

Meanwhile, Marina’s career path eventually brought her the chance to work with the Papillon Group, whose helicopter and airplane sightseeing tours to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas were legendary. Both Marina and Erika had the occasion to travel to industry tradeshows overseas while at the LVCVA, where they got to know the sales and marketing executives for Papillon, Robert Graff and Irit Langness. They introduced Marina to the Halvorson family, Papillon’s owners, and recommended she handle media relations for the growing number of domestic and international media clamoring to cover the company’s Grand Canyon flights. The rest is history. This year, our company was delighted publicize Papillon’s 50th anniversary as the largest—and now longest-running—air tour company in operation.

One other client has been with us since the very beginning:  Andre’s and Alize—legendary Las Vegas chef Andre Rochat’s two reputable fine-dining restaurants at Monte Carlo and Palms Casino Resort, respectively. Again—fine dining was one of the most indulgent parts of Las Vegas we had the pleasure of touting while working for the LVCVA. Securing Andre’s and Alize as clients was a privilege and working with Rochat’s amazing team, including the talented chefs and the gracious and sophisticated General Manager Joe Marsco, is an absolute pleasure.

To be honest, when we decided to join forces and form Vox Solid Communications in 2011, we already knew we worked well together. What we didn’t expect was that our small (but awesome) combined client base would grow so quickly and we’d be compelled to hire our first employee before that first full year was over. Our deep understanding of the Las Vegas destination has enabled us be successful for our clients—but our prized relationships with those clients is something we’re truly grateful for and do our very best to nurture.