Free Marketing Workshop for local tourism businesses
Friday, 9 November 2012
Businesses in Hebden Bridge are invited to a November marketing workshop which promises to reveal some truly distinctive ways to get visitors to spend more and stay longer.
The free event from rural regeneration company Pennine Prospects is open to tourism, food and drink, retail and creative and tourism businesses in the South Pennines area – which includes Hebden Bridgeand surrounding towns and villages.
It will be held at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, from 1.30-3.30pm on November 14.
Businesses will get an insight into how they can benefit from Pennine Prospects’ ‘local distinctiveness’ project – a marketing-led initiative which uses the unique character, charm and quirkiness of the South Pennines to boost visitor spending. The campaign’s future activities are focused on three key themes: beer, creativity and quirky heritage.
Tourism marketing specialist Susan Briggs will also be on hand to provide insights into how she has used the principles of ‘local distinctiveness’ to boost numbers of high-spending visitors to other areas. Susan has 27 years’ experience of tourism marketing, and is author of several books on the subject.
Rebecca Yorke, local distinctiveness co-ordinator for Pennine Prospects said: “Pennine Prospects’ local distinctiveness campaign is about using the character of an area – from its culture to its food and drink – to present a unique offer that will keep customers coming back for more.
“The workshop will be an opportunity for businesses to find out what we have in store over the next year, and how they can get involved. Our emphasis in the months ahead will be on the region’s thriving pub industry, where micro-breweries and local charm abound; creative industries, from established art galleries to small back-bedroom workshops; and the lesser-known, quirky heritage and history of the region.
“There will also be opportunities to pick up some practical advice for using local distinctiveness in individual marketing activity. There will be a focus on low-cost, easy-to-implement tips that really work.”
The event has been organised by Pennine Prospects, and made possible by funding from the South Pennines LEADER programme.
To book a place at the workshop, businesses should visit www.southpennines.co.uk/events.html and fill in the online form.