CONQUER THE
AI SUMMIT
The Smoky Mountains attract 11.5 million visitors annually, and 40% of them now plan their trips using AI. This proposal outlines how Epic Nine will position Blake Jones Fun Center at the top of every AI-powered travel recommendation in the region.
THE TERRAIN HAS
CHANGED.
Traditional SEO is no longer enough to reach today's Smoky Mountain travelers. AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity are now the first stop for millions of vacation planners, and the rules for getting found have fundamentally shifted.
THE CHALLENGE YOUR ATTRACTIONS FACE
Google's AI Overviews appear in over 50% of all searches. When present, users are 50% less likely to click traditional results, meaning your current SEO investment is losing ground fast.
Destination marketing organizations are seeing 20 to 40% year-over-year organic traffic declines as AI captures the attention that used to flow to websites.
Nearly 40% of U.S. travelers used generative AI tools for trip research in 2025. If your attractions aren't being recommended by AI, you're invisible to a massive and growing segment of your audience.
Brands that establish AI visibility now will own the citation landscape before competitors arrive. The window for first-mover advantage in AI search is open right now, and it is closing fast.
THE SUMMIT WITHIN REACH
Visitors arriving through AI-driven searches spend more time, explore more content, and convert at dramatically higher rates than traditional organic visitors.
Princeton University research found that GEO optimization can boost AI visibility by 30 to 40%, and challenger brands see the biggest gains, up to 115% improvement.
The Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park destination in the US. AI systems are actively recommending this region. You just need to be the attraction they recommend.
Brands present on 4+ major platforms are 2.8x more likely to appear in ChatGPT responses. Epic Nine's strategy covers all the right platforms simultaneously.
SIX ROUTES TO THE
AI SUMMIT
Our strategy is grounded in the Princeton University GEO Study, Semrush's AI Trust Signal research, and peer-reviewed findings on generative engine optimization. Every tactic is mapped to measurable outcomes.
Structure Content as Direct Answers
Travelers ask AI conversational questions like "What are the best family attractions in Pigeon Forge?" We'll restructure your web content with clear H2/H3 headings, FAQ formats, and paragraph-level chunks (200–500 words) that AI systems can retrieve and cite directly.
Build Entity Identity Across Platforms
We'll establish and optimize your presence on Google Business Profile, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Wikipedia, Reddit, and YouTube, all linked with Schema markup's sameAs property. Brands on 4+ platforms are 2.8x more likely to appear in ChatGPT responses.
Implement Robust Schema Markup
We'll deploy LocalBusiness, TouristAttraction, FAQPage, Event, and Article schema across all your web properties. A 2025 Search Engine Land experiment proved that pages with proper schema appeared in Google AI Overviews while identical pages without schema were not indexed at all.
Create Comparative & 'Best Of' Content
AI systems frequently cite comparative content. We'll develop "Best Family Attractions in Pigeon Forge," "Top Things to Do in the Smokies with Kids," and similar curated content that positions Blake Jones Fun Center as the definitive answer to tourist planning queries.
Leverage Reddit & YouTube for AI Citations
Reddit drives 46.7% of Perplexity citations; YouTube averages 20% citation share across all AI platforms. We'll establish authentic presence on r/Gatlinburg and r/PigeonForge, and create answer-first YouTube content with comprehensive transcripts for AI metadata extraction.
Incorporate Statistics & Expert Citations
Following Princeton University's GEO research, we'll embed verifiable statistics (park visitation numbers, ride statistics, elevation data) and expert quotes throughout your content. Citing authoritative sources increases AI visibility by up to 115% for lower-ranked sites.
"Analyzing 10,000 queries, researchers found that specific optimization techniques can boost visibility in generative engine responses by 30% to 40%. Lower-ranked sites benefit significantly more from GEO optimization than top-ranked sites, providing a powerful strategy for challenger brands to compete against established players."
THE BASE CAMP
AI VISIBILITY PACKAGE
A comprehensive AI search visibility program specifically engineered for Pigeon Forge tourist attractions. Every deliverable is mapped to the proven GEO and AEO strategies that are driving real results in the Smoky Mountain travel market.
AI SUMMIT VISIBILITY PROGRAM
Full-service AI search visibility management for Blake Jones Fun Center, covering GEO content strategy, technical schema implementation, multi-platform entity building, and monthly performance reporting.
6-month agreement. $950/mo billed monthly.
Blake Jones Fun CenterTHE ASCENT TIMELINE
AMPLIFY YOUR REACH WITH
TARGETED ADVERTISING
Complement your AI visibility strategy with precision-targeted advertising campaigns that reach Smoky Mountain visitors at every stage of their planning journey, from initial inspiration to final booking. Both options leverage highly vetted search intent targeting in Sevier County and surrounding areas.
DISPLAY & RETARGETING
Banner and display ads served across premium travel, entertainment, and family activity websites, combined with retargeting campaigns that re-engage visitors who have already shown interest in Pigeon Forge attractions. Powered by highly vetted search intent data targeting active vacation planners in Sevier County and surrounding counties.
CONNECTED TV (CTV) ADS
Reach Smoky Mountain vacation planners on their living room screens through premium streaming platforms including Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and Pluto TV. CTV delivers unskippable video ads to highly qualified audiences identified through search intent signals: people actively researching Pigeon Forge vacations.
WHY SEARCH INTENT TARGETING CHANGES EVERYTHING
Traditional display and CTV advertising uses broad demographic targeting: age, income, location. Our approach layers in highly vetted search intent signals, meaning your ads reach people who have actively searched for Pigeon Forge vacations, family attractions, go-karts, mini golf, and Smoky Mountain activities within the past 30 to 90 days.
This isn't just Sevier County residents. It's vacation planners across the Southeast and beyond who are actively considering a trip to your area. Combined with the AI visibility program, you're capturing travelers at every stage: when they're planning (AI search), when they're browsing (display), and when they're watching TV (CTV).
CHOOSE YOUR
SUMMIT ROUTE
Every route starts with the AI Visibility Program at $950/month with a 6-month agreement. Add advertising campaigns to accelerate your ascent and reach more Smoky Mountain visitors at every stage of their planning journey.
| Service | Monthly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AI Summit Visibility ProgramCORE | $950 | 6-mo agreement | $2,450 standard rate |
| Display & Retargeting (Optional) | $2,000 | $8–12 CPM | 167K+ impressions/mo |
| Connected TV Advertising (Optional) | $2,000 | $20–30 CPM | 80K+ impressions/mo |
Full AI search visibility program covering both attractions. Standard rate $2,450/mo; save $1,500/mo with 6-month agreement.
AI visibility combined with targeted display and retargeting campaigns to capture vacation planners across the web.
Maximum visibility across AI search, web display, and connected TV, reaching travelers at every touchpoint.
All prices are in USD. The AI Summit Visibility Program is priced at $2,450/month standard rate. With a 6-month agreement, the rate is reduced to $950/month, a savings of $1,500/month. Advertising budgets represent media spend; management and reporting are included.
EPIC NINE:
READY TO CONQUER THIS MOUNTAIN
We'll be straight with you: AI search visibility is a new frontier for us too. We're not presenting this as a service we've delivered a hundred times before. We're presenting it as an opportunity we want to pursue together, with your businesses as our proving ground.
What we bring to this mountain is something more durable than a single specialty: the ability to navigate terrain that keeps changing. Epic Nine has built its reputation in East Tennessee by adapting ahead of every major marketing shift, from the collapse of traditional print to the rise of social media, from keyword-stuffed SEO to authority-driven content strategy. AI search is the next ridge, and we're already studying the map.
This engagement is structured as a genuine trial. We've priced it to reflect that. If we deliver measurable AI visibility gains for Blake Jones Fun Center, then we will know we have a new service that can help a wide-array of clients. That shared stake makes us more invested in your results, not less.
The strategies in this proposal are grounded in peer-reviewed research, not guesswork. The tactics are documented, the outcomes are measurable, and the reporting is transparent. We're ready to rope up and start climbing.
This proposal is structured as a transparent introductory engagement. We're investing in your success because your results become our proof of concept for AI visibility. You get a motivated partner at an introductory rate. We get a documented case study. That's a deal worth making.
Every major marketing shift of the past 15 years has required agencies to adapt or become irrelevant. Epic Nine has adapted every time. AI search is the next shift, and we're already moving.
Every tactic in this proposal is drawn from peer-reviewed research: the Princeton University GEO Study, Semrush's AI Overviews analysis, and documented best practices from leading digital marketing researchers.
You'll see exactly what we're doing, what's working, and what we're adjusting. Monthly reporting covers AI mention tracking, citation monitoring, and performance metrics across all platforms.
From schema markup to content writing to Reddit community management, we handle every element of the strategy ourselves. No outsourcing, no handoffs, no gaps.
We're not selling you a proven product. We're inviting you to build one with us. The introductory pricing reflects that honesty, and so does every conversation we'll have along the way.
THE SUMMIT IS
WAITING FOR YOU
The window for early-mover advantage in AI search is open right now. Every month you wait, competitors are claiming the AI citations that should belong to Blake Jones Fun Center.
This introductory offer of $1,500/month savings is available with a 6-month agreement. Reach out today to lock in your rate and begin your AI visibility ascent.