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Since my last post, it's been all things new...New York, New England, and I might add, a new fiscal year. I return home from the Summit and finished the mission. The Summit I refer to is not Mount Everest at 29,035 feet, it is the North American Journeys (NAJ) Summit East held in New York City on June 15-16, 2011.

During the Summit, I met with European, Latin American, Japanese and Asian tour operators who have offices in Manhattan, with a focus of FIT (foreign individual travelers), special groups and incentive packages. They were interested in Pocono Mountains destination information to help them respond to proposal requests, which in turn helps to develop international visitors to the Pocono Mountains. I had over 20 ten-minute appointments in one whirlwind day and pitched our region. Outdoor adventure, lodging, team building and spa retreats were the best received as well as group excursions to Mount Airy Casino Resort.

Onward to New England. We had nine delegates divided into two teams of Pennsylvania tourism sales professionals canvassing Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut on our sales mission. We met with tour operators in their home turf and encouraged visitation to Pennsylvania. I saw the wheels turning and the itineraries being planned as I briefly highlighted the four counties and their unique group friendly attractions. CBK Mountain Adventures, Penn's Peak, Grey Towers National Historic Site, the Stourbridge Railway and Jim Thorpe sparked their interest.

As I review my notes and business cards,  I am reassured that face to face interaction with tour operators and tour planners, making new connections and solidifying existing relationships is the our best sales strategy. New York + New England = New Visitors to the Pocono Mountains.

Let me know what new attraction or event you have experienced so far this summer!