Original Message:
Sent: 12/10/2025 7:38:00 PM
From: Drew Bendickson
Subject: RE: Activity Guide
Hi Sydney,
Happy to share what we're doing in Novato! We've been using a fully digital activity guide for about five years now, and it's been a game-changer for us.
Our current approach:
- Software: We produce everything in-house using Canva Pro. Our entire team has access and can update their own programs using department style guides we've created for consistent formatting.
- Canva experience: Honestly, it's been great. The learning curve was pretty minimal, even for staff who aren't design-savvy. We can make real-time updates (like adding programs mid-season or handling last-minute cancellations), and the templates keep everything looking professional and on-brand.
- Distribution: We upload the finished guide to FlipHTML5, which creates an interactive, page-flipping experience rather than just a static PDF. The analytics are great for seeing how people are consuming the guide via phones, tablets, and computers. For example, our current guide (launched in August) has been viewed 11,333 times by 8,950 readers who have spent 160 hours reading it, with 71,148 total page views. It's pretty cool to see that level of engagement.
- Print component: We do still produce a city-wide brochure that goes to all 22,000 homes in Novato with QR codes linking to the digital guide. This costs us about half what our full printed guides used to cost but maintains that physical presence in the community.
- Timeline: I'll be honest, the first guide will probably take longer than you're used to because you'll be designing layouts and creating your templates from scratch. That all depends on how comfortable you or your staff are in Canva, too. But once you've got those templates set up, moving forward you'll just copy that design and swap out content and photos. It becomes way faster. Happy to share some of our recent guides so you can see what I'm talking about.
We've been doing this for about five years now (I've been overseeing it for the past four), and what started as a necessity during COVID budget pressures has honestly turned into one of our best strategic decisions. Registration revenue has actually increased year-over-year since we made the switch, which surprised us in the best way possible. The ability to be responsive with our programming, adding things mid-season or making quick updates, has also been huge for us.
Happy to chat more if you want additional details about our workflow or setup! Good luck with your transition.
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Drew Bendickson
Community Services Division Manager
City of Novato Parks, Rec. & Comm. Svcs.
Novato CA
(415) 899-8975
dbendickson@novato.org
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2025 08:52 AM
From: Sydney Bliss
Subject: Activity Guide
Hello All,
Corte Madera recently lost our contract with our activity guide designer, and we're taking this opportunity to learn more about how neighboring agencies manage their guides. We would greatly appreciate any information you're willing to share about your current practices.
Specifically, we're hoping to learn:
• Do you produce your activity guide in-house or through a contracted designer/vendor?
• If produced in-house, what software or programs are you using to create the guide?
• Does anyone use Canva for their guide production? If so, how has that experience been?
• Approximately how long does your production process take from start to finish? (optional, but helpful)
• Any recommendations, lessons learned, or vendors you've had positive experiences with?
Thank you in advance for your time and insight. Your feedback will help us determine the best path forward for our future guides.
Best regards,
Sydney Bliss
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Sydney Bliss
Recreation Supervisor
Town of Corte Madera Parks & Rec. Dept.
Corte Madera CA
(415) 301-4792
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