Chatham-Kent Economic Development and Tourism Announces Marketing Plan for 2014
Michael Burton, director of Chatham-Kent Economic Development and Tourism, recently announced the marketing plans for 2014. He said that the department's aim is to promote attractions that have a more regional appeal rather than those that are more local. The total muncipal budget is approximately $400,000 which includes the wages of 3.8 full time equivilant staff as well as advertising and promotional expenses.
Burton said the money will be directed into 4 major areas.
The first being outdoor adventures such as boating, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, golfing, camping, trails, agri-culinary and wineries. If you read my blog or visit my website, you know these are a subjects that I often feature.Chatham-Kent is located in the middle of the Great Lakes and although this year has been a bit of an exception, we usually have milder temperatures in this region.We have many Resort Locations and attract individuals and families from all over. I have brought a large number of new residents into Chatham-Kent from other areas in Ontario,our Western Provinces and around the globe and I have heard many times " We did not know this area existed" I applaud the Chatham-Kent Tourism Marketing Plan to zero in on this area of our appeal and get involved in a wider reach.
The second focus area is History and Culture Attractions.We are in a very Historic area with Black History sites such as the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, the last stop on the famous Underground Railroad for hundreds of fugitive slaves, Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, the home of Rev. Josiah Hensen who was the inspiration for Harriett Beecher Stowe's famous anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Chatham-Kent Black Mecca Museum. Another attraction is the 1812 Legacy Projects including the Tecumseh Parkway and Tecumseh Monument.The War of 1812 Celebrations last October were a huge success thanks to the efforts of many of our hard working citizens. If you did not attend, when the weather warms up take a trip along the Parkway and stop to sit, read and discover our history. Included in this area are many wonderful area Museums, and Art and Culture related assets such as the St. Clair College Capitol Theatre, the Mary Webb Centre in Ridgetown, the Cultural Centre, the Thames Art Gallery and ARt-space. We also have theInigenous Tourism and Classic Cars. Chatham is the Classic Car Capitol of Canada and the home of the world famous RM Restorations. If you have never visited the facility, take the time to enjoy a tour and witness the amazing work being done to Restore Classic Cars right here in Chatham-Kent. Customer come here from all over the globe! $67,000 is being allocated to this area and I for one, believe it will be well spent. I love Chatham-Kent and all it has to offer to people of all ages and those of all interests. It is the Affordable Lifestyle Location, the perfect place to live, work, raise a family, retire to, relocate to, visit or vacation. I was born and raised here and am 'Deeply Rooted in Chatham-Kent' My Motto for Chatham-Kent is ' IT IS ALL HERE ALL YEAR' and I believe the Municipality's Tourism Plan for 2014 will help get that message out Regionally and even globally!
The Third area of focus is our many Festivals and Events including the famous Wallaceburg Wambo, Retrofest, the Boothill Jamboree, a fairly new very successful Country and Western Weekend, theBothwell Old Auto Car Show which Classic Car owners and enthusiasts from all over North America attend, Firefest, another newer Chatham-Kent Festival which is a real hit for the younger generation or the young at heart, I should say. There are so many great local events such as the Blenheim Cherry Fest or the Ridgetown Festival of Porches and Veranda just to mention a few. $10,000 is earmarked to promote these.
Last, but not least in the focus areas, the Tourism Marketing Plan plans to zero in on Business Tourism, attracting public and private Meetings and Conferences. $24,000 is designated to this end.Our new John D. Bradley Convention Centre is a perfect location for large and small Business Meeting. As you may be aware, at these business functions and conferences there are always social outing for attendees or their partners. These outings centre around the local area and what it has to offer, like visits to the area Wineries or bus trips to local historical or cultural sites. I publish a weekly blog on my website about a great number of these attractions and have listed many of these individually on my website under Chatham-Kent. Read all about the Attractions we have here in Chatham-Kent. Take the time to visit and attend some of the Festivals, Events and Attractions in the area and if you are not already proud of Chatham-Kent , you will be.
There you have it, our Municipality's Plans to put Chatham-Kent on the map. Visit my Chatham-Kent Real Estate website and Discover Chatham-Kent for yourself.Call me, Wayne Liddy 519-436-4810 Re/Max Chatham-Kent Realty Inc. Brokerage for all your Real Estate Needs today.
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