Pocono Mountains Among Final Four in the Running to Host National Conference

04/10/2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alicia M. Quinn / Brittany Berger
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
alicia@poconos.org / brittany@poconos.org
800poconos.com  / twitter.com/PoconoTourism
570.421.5791    

Pocono Mountains Among the Final Four Destinations
in the Running to Host National Social Media Tourism Conference During Shoulder Season

POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa., April 10, 2012 - After victories over both Vancouver, Wash., and Baltimore, Md., the Pocono Mountains (800poconos.com) is among the final four destinations in the running to host the 2012 Social Media Tourism Symposium and continue to the final round of online voting.

Through rallying community support, between round 1 and round 2 match ups, the Pocono Mountains garnered 3,238 votes, advancing the destination into round 3 on Thurs., April 12, against Milwaukee, Wis. After having been selected as one of the top 16 cities, the Pocono Mountains was placed into a March Madness Sweet 16 tournament-style bracket on Facebook, with destination versus destination voting match ups. Following round 3 the winner moves on as one of the final two destinations. Other destinations within the final four include Cleveland, Ohio and El Paso, Texas.

"Through the impact of social media, we have been able to mobilize our community, which has brought us to this point," said David West, vice president of marketing for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. "Our social channels have provided us with a tool to capture an audience we may have not been able to reach otherwise."  

The "Social Media Tourism Symposium", is a conference which allows professionals in tourism-related organizations to network and engage in social media, while discussing its impact on their organizations, best practices and how social media is effecting promotion within the tourism industry. Scheduled Nov. 7-9, the conference is expected to draw hundreds of social media professionals from tourism-related organizations.

Votes for the Pocono Mountains- Milwaukee, Wis., match up can be placed via Facebook, on April 12 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. This is the last chance to place a vote for the Pocono Mountains to become the host destination. For more information visit facebook.com/PoconoTourism and follow @PoconoTourism on Twitter.

About the Pocono Mountains | Any time of year is a good time to visit the Pocono Mountains, located within driving distance of most major East Coast cities. This region teeming with history offers year-round cultural tours and art exhibitions, abundant antiquing and brand-name shopping and a full calendar of festivals showcasing the heritage, music and food of the Pocono Mountains. Even the most discerning traveler will find comfortable accommodations in the Pocono Mountains, which offers an eclectic mix of resorts, distinctive properties and quaint, country inns and bed and breakfasts.

Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at 800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  Follow PoconoTourism on Facebook and Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit, membership organization. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania, striving to promote, educate and attract visitors to the beautiful Pocono Mountains. Additionally, the Bureau aims to keep its' members abreast to the latest in regulation, changes in the industry and business development in the Pocono Mountains.

# # #