THE POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR TOURISM DAY 2009

04/02/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alicia M. Quinn
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Phone: 570.421.5791
alicia@poconos.org 

  THE POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR TOURISM DAY 2009

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA, April 2, 2009 – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) has announced the schedule for Pocono Mountains Tourism Day to be held on May 13, 2009 at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.  In its fifteenth year, the tourism marketing conference will be featuring the increased importance in conservation in the tourism industry with the theme "Turning Green into Green."  Expert presenters and education will give valuable information on how to market properties as "green," and how being green can lower costs and help save money.  The PMVB will also be awarding local hospitality industry workers and properties during the Tourism Achievement Awards Luncheon, which recognizes their exceptional guest and community service that represents the Pocono Mountains. 

The morning's presentations will begin with keynote speaker Dr. Suzanne Cook, PhD, Senior Vice-President, Research, U.S. Travel Association.  Dr. Cook will be discussing The Sustainable Travel Initiative, a plan to consolidate key industry information and help your business stay ahead of the curve, and also will explain why being green is important to the travel industry. 

Following the presentations, the morning session will continue with workshops in Marketing, How to Tell Your Green Story and Operations, What are Tourism Businesses Doing?  The afternoon sessions focus on Green Workshops for Resorts, Hotels, Motels, Attractions, Bed and Breakfasts, Small Inns, and Restaurants.

At noon, all attendees are invited to attend the Pocono Mountains Tourism Achievement Awards Luncheon. Employees in the industry, along with member properties, will be recognized for strides in guest service, community service and environmental awareness.  Individual awards categories include Brand Hero Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Tourism Employee of the Year Award. Property categories include the Community Service Award, the Green Award and the Brand Champion Award.                                                               

According to Carl Wilgus, President/CEO for the PMVB, "Tourism Day serves as a great networking event for the tourism industry in the Pocono Mountains and as a great opportunity to learn and educate themselves on the most recent trends in tourism."

Fees for Pocono Mountains Marketing Day are $75 for the first person and $70 for each additional person from the same PMVB member property.  Non-PMVB member fees are $95 for the first person and $90 for each additional person from the same property.  Attendees coming solely for the luncheon have a rate of $25 per person.  The pre-registration deadline is Friday, May 1, 2009.  Registrations postmarked after May 1, or walk-in registrations, will be subject to slightly higher fees. 

To register for Pocono Mountains Tourism Day, please visit 800poconos.com/tourismday or contact Adriane Holloway at the PMVB at 570-421-5791 or adriane@poconos.org.

About the Pocono Mountains
With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania's Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers.  Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261miles of hiking and biking trails, over 35 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks. 

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.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  The Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.   

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