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| Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce |
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Chamber Corner for July 4th  |
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HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND SAFE FOURTH OF JULY
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier wishes you an enjoyable and safe Fourth of July.
EMBRACING ‘THE WORLDS LEARNING CENTER’
Written by Todd Tranum, President/CEO Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier
We have a unique opportunity here in our corner of the world. We have an opportunity to build upon Chautauqua Institution and its’ rich history and brand our County as the Worlds Learning Center. Yet to get it done cities, towns, villages, organizations, funding sources, and those businesses that offer a learning product must embrace it. Before you proceed to read this article, go to your computer, open your web browser and go to Google and type in Chautauqua. What you will find should amaze you. In the first two pages of the search you are going to find: Colorado Chautauqua Association, Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua in Washburn, WI, New Old Time Chautauqua, Port Townsend, Washington, Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art, Madison, Indiana, Chautauqua Series in Asheville, North Carolina, Nevada Humanities Chautauqua, Reno, Nevada. The concept of Chautauqua which is based in music, the arts, religion, recreation and the pursuit of knowledge is recognized throughout the United States and in fact throughout the world. You may say, well, so what! What is the big deal? It is a big deal, WE OWN IT! We own Chautauqua and we have an opportunity to capitalize on it.
We can be the leisure learning capital of the world, the ‘World’s Learning Center’. And why is that important? Here is why it is important. Tourism spending in the U.S. was $121.1 billion in 2009, Canada alone exported $16.2 billion in travel to the United States. Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Manufacturing and Services, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries; U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis; Statistics Canada; Banco de Mexico; U.N. World Tourism Organization. We need to be a larger part of the action. To cultivate a vibrant economy we must import dollars into our County. Manufacturing has long been and will continue to be an economic staple to our economy and major importer of dollars into our economy. Like manufacturing travel and tourism offers the opportunity to bring new dollars into our economy. Importing dollars into an economy creates jobs, improves the quality of life and helps sustain and grow the service sector of our economy.
So you may ask, why do we need a brand? The answer is that we have to view our County as a product. Successful businesses, successful destinations have a brand that sells. In the words of Roger Brooks of Destination Development International, a consulting group that has worked with nearly 1000 communities throughout the world, “a brand is built on a promise and that promise is built on a product.” We have the foundation of that product in The Chautauqua Institution, Jamestown Community College, SUNY Fredonia, the Dunkirk Lighthouse, the Fredonia Opera House, the wine trail, culinary experiences, Robert H. Jackson Center, Lucy-Desi Museum, Abraham Lincoln and his historic visit to Westfield, Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the list can go on. Every community has something to offer. So, why the brand, ‘The World’s Learning Center’?
- To build new market/visitor awareness by differentiating our area from competing destination areas – what can we offer that they can’t.
- To take advantage of growing traveler interest in “leisure learning” vacations.
- To leverage the learning heritage that has long been associated with our area to strengthen summertime visitation and increase other season visitation.
- The brand both relies on and supports the incredible natural environment and recreational offerings that our area has long been famous for providing.
Source: Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
We are fortunate in that an educational movement started here and now is our opportunity to take this asset to the next level. Every community and organization in Chautauqua County needs to ask themselves how we can embrace this, how can we support this and how can we move it forward. The business community needs to take a look at its products and services and identify if they have a learning experience product that can be brought to the table.
As a community we need to embrace the work that the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB), County Economic Development along with other partner organizations and Destination Development International have done and help move it forward. If you have an interest in this effort contact the CCVB at 716-357-4569 or visit their web-site at www.tourchautauqua.com or www.facebook.com/Tour.Chautauqua.
FUN AT THE FAIR GROUNDS
NETWORKING EVENT – JULY 22ND
At this Experience Chautauqua County – Fun at the Fair Grounds – Networking event, you will have the opportunity to network and build business contacts, have fun and win prizes, learn about our local assets and experience the sites and tastes of Chautauqua County. The event will be held at the Chautauqua County Fair Grounds. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. The cost is $8 for pre-registered and $10 for walk-ins. To register, visit chautauquachamber.org or call 716-366-6200 or 716-484-1101. This event is sponsored by Advertising Advantage, Arkwright Printing, DFT/Netsync, Farm Bureau – Chautauqua County, Fredonia Place, Nestle Purina, OBSERVER, Star Media Group, The Post Journal, Urban Engineers of New York, P.C. and WDOE/KIX 96.
FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL LUNCH – AUGUST 25TH
The Chamber’s Federal Congressional Lunch will be held at Roberto’s At the Ironstone. The event begins at 12 p.m. Cost to attend is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. To register, visit chautauquachamber.org or call 716-366-6200 or 716-484-1101. This event is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Clever Method, Chautauqua Institution, Dunkirk Metal Products/Alternative Fuel Boilers, Lake Erie Regional Health System, NRG Dunkirk Power, OBSERVER, Star Media Group, The Post Journal, UBS Financial Services and WCA Hospital.
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