Tourism Workshops Offer North State Tourism Organizations Methods for Increasing Tourism Spending in Rural Areas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2004
CONTACT: Joe Wills, Public Affairs
Tel: 530-898-4143
Deedra Marshall, Center for Economic Development
530-898-4598
Tourism Workshops Offer North State Tourism Organizations Methods for Increasing Tourism Spending in Rural Areas
The Center for Economic Development at California State University, Chico is hosting a Tourism Workshop Series to be held in four northern coastal cities over a four-day period during the last week of September. The first workshop will be held in Crescent City on Sept. 27, the second in Arcata on Sept. 28, the third in Fort Bragg on Sept. 29, and the fourth in Ukiah on Sept. 30. This series offers two back-to-back workshops, “The 15 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism” and “Marketing on a Miniscule Budget,” beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at noon.
The instructor for this workshop series, Roger Brooks, is a founding member of the award-winning Destination Development team and has worked in the tourism industry for more than 20 years. Brooks has become a well-recognized expert in the fields of tourism, consumer trends, marketing and attractions development. He is well known for his direct style and step-by-step instructions in helping communities “make something happen.”
“The 15 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism” workshop will serve as an ideal primer for rural areas looking for increased tourism spending. The topics covered in this entertaining multi-media workshop include beautification, signage (public and private), ease of getting around, events, critical mass, pedestrian areas, attractions, visitor amenities, retail mix, marketing, advertising, public relations and how to get the most for your marketing dollar. Included are dozens of examples from around the country, case histories and ideas on how to set yourself apart from everyone else, making your town (or business) worth the drive.
The second workshop in the series, “Marketing on a Miniscule Budget,” will show how to develop a press kit, press releases and public service announcements and how to get them on the air. It will also take a look at what works and doesn’t work in advertising, where to advertise and how to see a return on advertising investment. Samples and ideas including brochures, photography, distribution, event promotion, trade shows and direct mail programs all geared to the community with a small marketing budget will be presented.
This event is sponsored by the Center for Economic Development, CSU, Chico Research Foundation. CED is a private, nonprofit organization specializing in community outreach and technical assistance for Northern California. The center’s mission is to educate and build the knowledge and capacity of California economic development professionals. The series is also supported by CED Workshop Partners; city of Biggs, CA; Upstate Planning & GIS; Sacramento Regional Center for International Trade Development and College of the Redwoods, Eureka, CA.
CED director Dan Ripke stated, “As rural areas continue to struggle to compete with metropolitan areas for tourism dollars, new methods and strategies targeted specifically for the rural environment are essential. These workshops will provide coastal tourism businesses with practical, low-cost recommendations that can be easily implemented and have been extremely successful in other areas.”
For more information contact Crescent City, Arcata, Fort Bragg or Ukiah Chambers of Commerce, or CED workshops and events program manager Deedra Marshall at 530-898-4598, or visit CED’s Web site at www.csuchico.edu/cedp.
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