Blogs

As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau will be celebrating our 75th Anniversary in 2009.

Help us celebrate by submitting a story and photo to our Family Album.

 

At the October 2^nd Annual Report Dinner it was announced that 2009 would be the 75^th anniversary of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) as tourism marketing organization.  As such we want to make it as complete and enjoyable an event as possible. The staff at the PMVB has been doing some brainstorming of possible things that could be done which include such things as:

- Set up an electronic scrapbook on our website where people can post images and stories of past visits to the Pocono Mountains
- Produce a special logo and stationery for the year
- Acknowledge tourism businesses that have operated for at least 75 years
- Collateral written histories of the area
- Encourage reunions of various kinds to the Pocono Mountains
- Create a time capsule to be unearthed at the 100^th anniversary
- Have monthly articles placed in local newspapers throughout the year

I'd like to hear from you.  Any thoughts or ideas you would have about what we could or should do, would be very much appreciated.  Help us to make 2009 the best year ever in the Pocono Mountains. 

There cannot be any better experience this time of year than enjoying a beautiful September afternoon along the shores of the Delaware River with samplings of some great food and spirits from Northeast Pennsylvania.  Such was the case for more than a thousand people who attended the first ever Delaware River Food and Wine Festival this past Saturday, September 20^th. 

Held at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, the front lawn adjoining the hotel was turned into the perfect setting thanks to three large canopied tents each offering 10,000 square feet of dining, drinking, and lounging space. Alisa Tongg Weiler, founder of the event said that the guiding vision was to 'create an event that we ourselves would want to attend', and by the look of the crowd and the people who attended, they delivered on that vision.

More than 25 restaurants provided a wide variety of tasty treats from appetizers, to entrees, to desserts. Accompanying all the wonderful food was a great selection of domestic and imported wines, two micro-breweries, and even a coffee company. When participants were not enjoying the food and beverage they could be found relaxing in conversation or taking in the great scenery. In the adjoining outdoor pavilion cooking demonstrations were conducted throughout the afternoon. Having a five hour timeframe to thoroughly enjoy the abundant sampling and great variety of tasty treats was a brilliant decision. You never felt rushed or hurried, and had plenty of time between samplings to regain your appetite. If you want to learn more and check out some great pictures go to www.DelawareRiverFoodandWine.com. Please join us next year for this event being held on Sunday, September 20, 2009.

Much of what I have spoken about in these blogs to date is about what I have been doing over the nine months that I have been here. Now I’d like to turn the tables and ask you (visitor and resident alike) for your help. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is currently in the process of developing a Strategic Vision for the agency and the tourism industry in the Pocono Mountains. One of the important processes of that Strategic Vision is to understand the future trends that will drive our industry. If we correctly evaluate what is coming and properly prepare for it, we stand in a better position to be successful.

Below is a link to a twenty question survey of tourism trends developed by the Destination Marketing Association International. I’d like your assistance in prioritizing these trends. By rating each statement on a 1 to 5 scale you will help the visitor’s bureau to determine the most important trends to which we need to pay the most attention. Several of the questions will refer to DMO’s (destination marketing organizations), that is what the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is referred to in the industry. Thank you in advance for filling out the survey. I’d be pleased to hear any other comments you’d like to make about what we should be doing in the future. Thank you. Participate in survey.

Depending on how you measure it, one could make a case that the summer is two-thirds over. This is really the perfect time to assess what you'd plan to do this summer and renew that commitment over the next month.

For my own part I paddled down the Delaware River, rafted the Lehigh River, and boated on Lake Wallenpaupack. I attended concerts at Penn's Peak and the Sherman Theater, sampled Pennsylvania wine during the Split Rock Resort's Wine & Food Festival, enjoyed music at the Milford Music Festival, listened to the US Marine Corps Band during Mount Airy Salutes Our Troops, and attended my first NASCAR event during the Pocono 500 in June.

My passion for golf has lead me to tee it up at; Split Rock Resort, Hideaway Hills, Mountain Manor, Cherry Valley, Glen Brook, Skytop, Evergreen, Great Bear, Woodloch, Shawnee Inn, and Jack Frost National. While that seems like a lot, there is still more than a dozen to go.

There are still some other things on my to do list, that as yet, I have not gotten to: visiting Bushkill Falls, hiking part of the Appalachian Trail, mountain biking around Jim Thorpe, and attending some of our county/community fairs or festivals.

I'd like to hear from you. What have you done in the Pocono Mountains this summer? What else do you want to do? And lastly, why do they call this the "dog days of summer"?

One beautiful sunny day last week a group of twenty staff members of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau took the opportunity to float a seven mile section of the Lehigh River from Jim Thorpe to beyond Lehighton. Our guides for the day came courtesy of Whitewater Challengers. With headquarters in White Haven, PA they offer float trips on various segments of the Lehigh River. Additionally, they have camping, kayak clinics, and trail biking opportunities. They did a marvelous job directing us through the rapids, over the rocks, providing both a lunch on the river and great buffet after the float. It really is a very beautiful stretch of the river running through parts of Lehigh Gorge State Park.  

The day was designed to foster teambuilding among the staff. Individuals were assigned rafts so that it would encourage interaction between people who don't interact on a daily basis. If other group's experiences were anything similar to ours, there is no doubt that a day on the river brings people together. Whether it was a matter of negotiating the rapids or water fights on the calmer parts of the river, I'd estimate everyone had a great time, and came away feeling better about the people they work with, and more positive about their relationship with them. 

What other kinds of teambuilding experiences have you had in the Pocono Mountains, or would you suggest?

 

Being from the Northwest I didn’t grow up with or have any exposure to NASCAR, so when I took the job with the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau I knew I was moving into the hot bed of motor sports and that I would have much to learn in a short period of time. This past weekend turned out to be a gigantic learning experience. To the neophyte it is difficult to explain the intensity of the sound generated by the roar of the race cars. Then add to that the sensory overload one experiences by the constant barrage of logos, signs, and billboards. It was an amazing day. I felt like a little kid attending my first fair or carnival as I wandered through the fan fest checking out all of the many booths and displays. I have to admit that to my own surprise I found myself standing in line at the Sprint exhibit in order to participate in the “Sprint Racing Experience”. I got the opportunity to simulate the driving experience for few minutes, and left wishing I had enough time to get in line and do it again. Obviously the race is the big thing, and the primary reason people are there but looking out at the throngs of people in the infield and in the stands I couldn’t help thinking that I was witnessing a NASCAR race, and so much more. I’d like to hear from you what your favorite part of the race is.

As we all know the newspapers and television stations have lately been filled with depressing news about the economy and difficulties associated with travel this summer.  One can't help but feel that business this coming summer is going to be down. From what I have learned during my brief four months in the Pocono Mountains is that in the past, when the economy has been weak the tourism industry has prospered.  Since most of our visitors come from the mid-Atlantic region, that means that most will drive here and most likely be able to do it on one tank of gas.  All of which bodes well for us.  Add to that the hassle and increased costs associated with flying, it is very possible to see vacationers opting to stay closer to home, and all of this speaks well for the Pocono Mountains.  I really feel this could be our best summer ever.  That doesn't mean it is just going to happen, but the potential is there.  If you are interested in learning more we have an upcoming event you might want to attend.

On May 15^th the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau will be hosting a day long educational program at The Inn at Pocono Manor featuring a highly respected and world renowned futurist Ed Barlow.  He will speak to "The Future of Travel and Tourism".  Following that our advertising agency and public relations agencies will share with the audience the planned roll out of some exciting plans for motivating leisure travels to come to the Pocono Mountains.  After a hospitality awards luncheon the afternoon will be dedicated to small group discussions on how best to maximize our opportunities to promote tourism to the Pocono Mountains.  All this for $75 for PMVB members or $95 for non-members.  If you'd like to attend please contact Adriane at 570.421.5791 or adriane@poconos.org.

Three events happened to me over the past two weeks which I think illustrate the power of "doing the job".   

The first took place at Pocono Palace where I checked in late on Sunday afternoon having driven 7 hours after a late season ski trip to New Hampshire. The lady at the front desk showed me the resort property map, explaining where everything was located, and directing me to my unit.  She asked if I'd like to make a dinner reservation. To which I said I'd had a late lunch and planned just to relax for the evening. Several hours later after relaxing in the comfort of my suit I received a phone call from the front desk. On the other end was that same very nice lady telling me that they noticed I'd not joined them for dinner that night and wonder if there was something that they could send to my room, such as coffee and/or dessert. I said no thank you, but as I hung up the phone I could't help but remark to myself what a great act of customer service. I was also fascinated to learn that staff at all the Caesar properties are referred to as "team members". I can't help but think that kind of respect to the employees doesn't also get transmitted on to the guests.  

The second act of "doing the job" took place at Woodloch Pines Resort. It just so happened that I spent a weekend there during one of the resorts three 50^th anniversary celebrations. I was somewhat familiar with the Woodloch story, but it wasn't until I witnessed the interaction of guests meeting staff with hugs and kisses and the genuine return of that affection by the staff that I knew this place and its people were special. That night I came to learn that many of these guests have vacationed at Woodloch more than 70 times over the past 50 years, bringing with them family and friends. There is no better testament to a great vacation experience than returning time after time and it definitely appears to be a tradition at Woodloch.  

Last, but not least, took place here in the offices of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. Last week we conducted our second quarterly staff meeting. It was determined that we should acknowledge the longevity of those who have been with the bureau for 5 years or more. Of the 33 people we have on staff, 16 qualified for honor. Of this group, 7 have been with the bureau for more that 20 years, and it is this group of individuals that I want to express my heart felt appreciation for their dedicated service and the fact that year after year they have been "doing the job".

They are:

            Linda Burke                   23 years
            Gail Sterrett                  24 years
            Adriane Holloway           25 years
            Mary Capece                 27 years
            Filomena Marks             27 years
            Mary Ravert                  34 years
            Mathilda Sheptak           43 years

I'd love to hear about any experience you've had of exceptional customer service.

It’s amazing what a difference a week makes. Saturday March 15th while a lot of people were attending the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Scranton attempting to get a view of Senator Hillary Clinton walking in the parade, I took the opportunity to make a few turns at Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain. It was a great day, while a little overcast, the snow was soft and easy to turn on, and the slopes were uncrowded. After two hours of nonstop runs (eleven in total), I enjoyed a leisurely lunch and great conversation with the owners of the ski area.

Then, fast forward to this weekend, daylight savings, and warmer weather and all of a sudden the golf courses are open. Saturday March 22nd with an afternoon high of 46 degrees I took the opportunity to hit two buckets of balls at Mountain Manor Golf Club and then on Easter Sunday, after a very lavish brunch at The Inn at Pocono Manor, I managed to get in 18 holes at Cherry Valley Golf Course. I can’t report a score as I needed to take way to many mulligans to make it around the course. All this got me thinking….what other kinds of outdoor activities are people participating in here in the Pocono Mountains during the spring? I would certainly like to hear what you like to do this time of year, and where you like to do it.