Blogs

(Photo Credit: Russ Schleiplman)

As a professional who works in an extremely creative field, I understand how hard it is to come across that great idea. You know... that AH HA moment when you know something is going to be a smash hit. I can promise you that idea doesn't usually come from sitting at your desk. It comes on the weekend when the last thing you are thinking about it is work. 

This is exactly why it is so important to get your staff out of the office and into a new environment. The Pocono Mountains offer great meeting space and teambuilding activities to foster those great ideas and brainstorming sessions for your next big hit. Imagine having your next meeting lakeside, steps away from an outdoor oasis.  

We boast over 20 great accommodation facilities to meet any needs, in addition a wide variety of unique attractions and venues. Last week, we had several Road Show presentations from a very small intimate setting at the Hampton Inn in Lehighton, ideal for a small group and effective Q&A, with another session held at the Chateau Resort & Conference Center in Tannersville. This facility offers eight different spaces with endless configurations for a total of 14,127 square-feet of meeting space.

All of our facilities offer state-of-the-art equipment with a myriad of activities and amenities to suit every budget and size.  So lose the cubicle and reconnect with nature. I assure you will have that AH HA moment!

Director of Public Relations, Alicia Quinn and I explained our Social Media Campaign and how members can make the most of our sites. We received a great deal of feedback from numerous properties, so I figured I'd discuss with you some of the most frequent issues: 

Facebook

Make sure you have a fan page. As an organization, you need to register a fan page and not a friend profile or Facebook will shut down the page and you will lose all of your followers and work.

Save time by linking to your Flickr and YouTube pages. These tabs will display your images and videos, so you don't have to repost the same content in two places.

 However, do not link your status to your Twitter account because due to the character limit, you will not be able to see the full status and you will discourage people from following you on both sites.

Twitter

Use a free URL shortening site with tracking. Although there are many sites out there for condensing URLs, many of them will not trace the number of clicks and where they originated from. Our organization uses bit.ly.

Tweet popular hash tags, such as #traveltuesday as long as they are relevant and not overused. In doing so, all individuals searching these popular tags will see your tweet.

The sincerest form of flattery on Twitter lies in the retweet, so retweet the information you like and is of interest to your followers. However, do not retweet so much that you are no longer twittering your own information.

General

Take the time and formulate a strategy before going live. Even the smallest things, such a responding to a negative comment or how many posts you will make a day are crucial to your success. Also, be sure to create benchmarks and goals to keep your account growing. 

Reserve a name as soon as possible. Chances are the one you want is already taken, so even if you aren't going live just yet, create your profile. It also helps if all of your social sites can be found at the same name.

Have fun! Social media is a great, enjoyable and FREE way to get your organization's voice heard.

If you know me personally, you know I am extremely passionate about food. I am generally a very light-hearted person but when it comes to meal time, I am all business.  If I could, I would probably spend the entire day eating, which is why Saturday's 6^th Annual Local Flavor Harvest Lake Stroll at Skytop Lodge is the perfect day for me!

Walk the stunning lake at Skytop Lodge while sampling the best of the local harvest from executive chefs at Andrew Moore's Stone Bar Inn, Skytop Lodge and The Frogtown Inn & 6 Acres Restaurant. These chefs will be presenting eight different stations full of palate pleasers such as Apple Cider French Onion Soup to Cedar Board Roasted Wild Salmon to Grilled Blue Tomato Filet and much more. My mouth is already watering from just talking about it! Each station is also paired with the perfect wines and do not forget about my favorite course... dessert. The Warm Apple and Cranberry Cobbler is sure to be a home run (Sorry for the baseball reference, I am still coping with the Phillies' loss). 

And do not feel any guilt about indulging in this delicious feast! Not only are you burning calories as you walk the lake, a donation of $25 from each ticket will go to the United Way of Monroe County to help local children and families. So head to Skytop Lodge on Saturday and indulge!

Originally built in 1901 in the middle of the gorgeous Buck Hill Falls community, the Inn consisted of 18 rooms. During the height of its popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, it grew to over 400 rooms and was named one of the top ten convention centers in the United States. It was a luxurious place to be and be seen. However, due to its popularity, several sites claim that 73 deaths, including many suicides and murders, took place in the Inn from its opening until its close in 1991.

While the Inn was still in operation, some visitors claim they would hear strange noises, witness ghosts, see things move by themselves and other paranormal activities. I cannot attest to these stories because one, I am too much of a chicken to venture anywhere near the Inn and two, it is illegal to trespass on the property.

However, one of my best friends lives in this community and I often pass the Inn at night. To me, the Inn is extremely creepy during the day, but it takes on a whole new sight in the nighttime. In some of the rooms of the Inn, there must be mirrors because every time I pass, I always see a light shine back at me. I am hoping that this is the reflection of my headlight. Otherwise, for my sanity, I am going to convince myself that it is.

Although the grandiose Inn has gorgeous architecture and historical beauty, there is something about the abandoned building that really makes my skin crawl. Drive past it and see for yourself but remember it is illegal to trespass on the property. Many people have tried this feat and have either been arrested or charged with a hefty fine.

Also, if you are in the market to buy, the property is for sale to anyone looking to restore the building into a hotel, luxury condominiums and/or townhomes. I just have one request of the future owner, please rid it of all the ghosts first.

Happy Halloween everyone and enjoy your weekend!

Let me start off my blog by letting everyone in on a secret… I am a huge scardey-cat. Yes, I am 22 years old and I still refuse to watch scary movies because I will get nightmares. And with Halloween around the corner, you won’t find me at any Haunted Houses. However, there is slightly spooky experience (at least to me) in the Pocono Mountains that I thoroughly do enjoy, the Old Jail Museum.

This Jim Thorpe former county jail was actually operating until 1995 and is full of history. Most famous is the story of the Molly Maguires where the seven Irish coal miners were hung here in the 1880s. It is said one of the seven placed his dirty handprint on the wall to proclaim his innocence. After years of washing, painting and even re-plastering the wall, it is still clearly visible. Trust me, I’ve seen it with my eyes and it is clear as day.

During the cell tour I am usually ok, but the dungeon makes my heart beat out of my chest. I think my record of staying down in this area may be a whopping two minutes! You walk down a stairwell into a dark, open room with two dim lights on the wall. This is the area where they used to house prisoners who misbehaved and their shackles can even still be seen on the walls. Be sure to ask the tour guides about some great ghost stories they have experienced down here.

The haunted stories the tour guides tell is probably the best part of the entire trip. Many of the guides have had their own personal sightings or spine-shivering stories they have heard from touring patrons. All of them give me the goose bumps!

The Old Jail Museum is such a great addition to Jim Thorpe because it is a piece of history. Its purpose is not purely for entertainment, but to educate the community and visitors of what actually went on in the jail during its operation.

Although the Jail’s normal operating hours are from Memorial Day through Labor Day, be sure to stop by the jail during their Halloween tours this Saturday and next from 6:30-9:00 p.m. However you won’t see me there, scardey-cats keep to the daytime tours.

Have a great weekend!  

However, this year's peak color weekend is different than most. Over the course of the weekend, some parts of our region, particularly the northern parts, are predicted to see up to 4 or 5 inches of snow. Be sure to check out our Twitter page and see how they really come alive with a white blanket of snow on the ground. 

But don't confuse fall for winter just because there is snow on the ground! Head out to Fall Foliage Weekends in Jim Thorpe for some great shopping, dining and entertainment. Travel to Milford to see some of the best full-length independent films, short films and lectures, in addition to life-sized painted bears at the Black Bear Film Festival. Shawnee Mountain will also be celebrating fall this weekend with their Balloon and Timber Festival featuring scenic chairlift rides, lumberjack events and my personal favorite, the Friday night balloon glow.

So get out in the Pocono Mountains and enjoy this peak color weekend's unique and picturesque state!

When journalists want to cover the entire Pocono Mountains for a story, it’s a very difficult task. We encompass 2,400 square miles of outstanding accommodations, incredible attractions and great dining options. The entire destination is hard to capture in one piece, but we try and cover as much variety as possible.

Today, I hosted a journalist and we spent day one visiting an array of exceptional properties. We started off the morning at Bushkill Falls in Bushkill. Particularly at this time of year, the fall foliage provides a perfect backdrop for stunning falls.  

After hiking a bit¸ we headed to the Hotel Fauchere in Milford for a fabulous lunch. Although they are best known as a boutique hotel, the Hotel is a great dining option for casual dining at Bar Louis and formal dining in their Delmonico Room. Be sure to try the truffle oil infused fries, they are absolutely amazing! 

After lunch, we were off to Grey Towers Historical Site, former home of Gifford Pinchot. His mansion is stunning. Although it is hard to choose, my favorite part of the house would have to be the floating table. This large dining table is where the Pinchot family used to float dishes to one another.

Next, we headed to the nearby Lake Region and were fortunate enough to actually get on the lake. While the Lake Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours are busiest in the summer, there is no view of fall like a view on the lake during prime foliage season.

For a taste of the local dinner cuisine, we headed to the Settlers Inn in Hawley. Their farm-to-table restaurant features great options for any palate. I had the Blooming Grove Brook Trout that was caught fresh approximately 6 miles up the road. It was delectable! Also, be sure to try their signature toffee pudding for dessert.

We just recently retired to our spa suites at the French Manor Inn and Spa. Built above their recently opened Green spa, each suite is outfitted with a king bed, gas fireplace, flat screen TV, private balcony, living area, Jacuzzi and more. They are truly stunning and I can’t wait to enjoy a fabulous night’s sleep. 

Tomorrow includes a trip to Jim Thorpe. Can’t wait to show more of what the Pocono Mountains has to offer for day two!

Last evening, we held our Annual Report Dinner at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. Penn’s Peak offers stunning views and was the perfect location for last night’s event, where we unveiled the Report and celebrated our 75th Anniversary.  Even more importantly, the Dinner recognized an extremely talented tourism community.

The evening kicked-off by recognizing some of our tourism partners who have been in business for 75 years or more. Congratulations to This Week in the Poconos (1931), Sherman Theater (1929), Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort (1929), Skytop Lodge (1928), Fernwood Hotel & Resort (1921), Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort (1911), Shawnee Playhouse (1909), Bushkill Falls (1904), Inn at Pocono Manor (1902), Cliff Park Inn (1900) and Mauch Chunk Opera House (1882) for your commitment to the Pocono Mountains. I wish you many more years of success.

Other acknowledgements included Outstanding Partnership Awards to PPL Corporation, the Hawley/Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Water Gap Joint Toll Booth Commission and Five Star Precision Printing, Inc.., a Gold Pin to Nikki Hurley, director of marketing for Pocono Whitewater and the service of our some of past Chairman of the PMVB such as Ron Logan and Ed Mayotte. Congratulations to all of the outstanding individuals and organizations.

However, the award that stands out most in my mind from last evening was the Gail Sterrett Marketing Award, in memory of our marketing director at the PMVB for nearly the past 25 years. She had a passion and dedication for her work unlike anyone I have ever met and her life was tragically cut short earlier this year.  I cannot express in words how fortunate I was to have worked under her and how much she is missed every day.  Gina Bertucci, marketing director of Fernwood Hotel & Resort won the first ever Annual Gail Sterrett Marketing Award and I cannot imagine a better candidate. Congratulations Gina!

The evening ended with the great music of Bob Crosby Bob Cats and Orchestra, whose origins also date back to 1934. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and I hope to see even more of you join us next year!!

In discussion, we learned that new brides are looking to get married in either spring or fall. Spring is a great time to get married in the Pocono Mountains because everything is in bloom! With 2,400 square miles of rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers, you have a myriad of great backdrops for any type of ceremony. Spring is also a great time to get outside and embark on an outdoor adventure with your loved one.

Fall is also a great choice when getting married in the Pocono Mountains. In addition to the perfect weather, the foliage is dazzling! Vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow provide unforgettable scenery for your special day. If you're looking for a quick trip, book a romantic stay at a country inn or B&B and attend the over 20 festivals and fairs held in the region during this time of year. 

Looking for the perfect place to get married?...Be sure to browse our Web site at 800poconos.com. A special thanks to the French Manor Inn and Spa, Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Woodloch Resort, Pocono Manor, Skytop Lodge, Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Mount Airy Casino Resort, Great Wolf Lodge and Pocono Candle for making the event a success!

Although it was an extremely difficult task, we recently compiled the top 10 reasons to visit the Pocono Mountains in fall 2009. This week, I figured I would take it one step further and tell you my favorite part of each of these (since I know you all value my opinion). Ready? Here we go...

Three Zones of Coloration-  I can catch peak colors three different times in one season! The foliage is jaw-dropping, so make sure you call the Fall Foliage Hotline at 570.421.5565 each week, as it seems almost every night new colors are visible. 

Special Offers- Hands down… saving money! If I had to pick a favorite type of offer, I’d have to say One Night Free because not only do I love free stuff, but the value is so worth it! 

Fall Foliage Weekends- This one has to be a tossup between the extraordinary jewelry vendors and the exceptional food.  I love seeing the town of Jim Thorpe all decked out!

Agritourism- For the absolute perfect fall day, heat up some homemade apple cider and head to a local pumpkin farm. I am the type of person who will spend hours in the patch searching for the best pumpkin.

Harvest & Heritage Days- Where else can you find old-fashioned horse-drawn hay rides? This is a great way to take in the crisp autumn air!

Scenic Drives- With 2,400 square miles, you can drive for hours taking in breathtaking scenery. My favorite drive has to be Route 590 as it follows the Lackawaxen River and brings you to the historic Roebling Bridge.

Annual Black Bear Film Festival- While you attend for the outstanding films, you have to witness the life-sized painted bear sculptures at least once during your lifetime. And Milford’s easily walkable downtown is the perfect setting.

Antiquing- Although all of our downtowns are unique and offer great antiquing opportunities, I thoroughly enjoy Hawley. You can spend your entire day on Main Street alone and don’t forget to stop in Miss Elly’s Antiques & Such. 

Timber and Balloon Festival- I guarantee you have never seen anything like the Friday Night Balloon Glow! The massive balloons light up the sky over Shawnee Mountain, providing an unforgettable sight.

Outdoor Recreation- To me, there is nothing like being in the middle of a fall paradise and playing 18. Fall in this region provides the perfect temperatures to be out on the course!

Thanks for allowing me to tell you my opinion about our top 10, what are some of yours?

Have a great weekend!