People ask how we come up with all those creative ideas?
We listen to our partners. They have great ideas & they share their stories with us! At the Maine Coast Welcome Center we love to share those stories as we help tourists make decisions on Where to Stay, Where to Eat, and What to Do. We talk to thousands of tourists each season about our business partners, so if you’ve got an interesting story to share, we’d love to partner with you, too.
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What Tourists Want
One of the top questions for our guests is “What is there to do around here?” In this edition of "What Tourists Want" we'll be talking about Calendars and how a calendar paints a picture for potential tourists.
This newsletter focuses on sharing real examples our partners use to stand out. Using creative ways to attract tourists helps you convert tourists into customers this season and many seasons to come.
Please hit reply and tell me your favorite "Event" which you try to attend every year. I answer every email sent to me.
Regards,
Jim & Patti LeClair Maine Coast Welcome Center (207) 415-5646 & 415-5647
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www.maine-coast-welcome-center.com
One of the top questions for our guests is “What is there to do around here?” This question is critical for many people as they make travel decisions. As an editor for WhoFish on-line calendar, I search everywhere for event information by town and date so we can keep our guests informed. Most calendars are scattered with either too much information, like the recurring social group or too late, “Can you post this flyer for our event tonite?”
So I was really impressed by the calendar created by “newcomer” Jane of Bay Leaf Cottages. She posts “In-house” events at the cottages, “local events” in her town, and regional events.
In house events may be a “Family Adventure Weekend” or “Build Your Own Kayak”. These creative events draw groups of guests for multiple day stays. Local events cover regional events in the surrounding towns. Bayleaf Cottages becomes the “hub” for activities in many different directions from Damariscotta to Bangor to Eastport!
Bay Leaf Cottages 2011 calendar is ALREADY OUT, viewable by tourist's making vacation plans. Good Job, Jane!
So, imagine you're a tourist trying to decide what to do with the family, this summer and check out Jane's Calendar HERE. (It's at the lower left) How's it compare to things in your area?
If you've got interesting events in your area, forward them to me to include in our WhoFish Calendar.
Where is the Railroad that Maine is buying? It's in the County... Aroostook County.
"State officials and members of Maine’s congressional delegation were applauding a decision made by the Federal Railroad Administration on Thursday that will allow the state to take ownership of 233 miles of rail line in northern Maine."
So I've renamed to the Maine "County" Railway. No sure about scenic rides at this time.
To show off the energy renovations we've done this fall, we having a Warm Home Party with the Maine Green Energy Alliance.
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Belfast Business owner promotes Energy Efficiency Invites public to a “Warm Home” Open House on January 27th
Jim and Patti LeClair, owners of the Maine Coast Welcome Center in Belfast will open their business and adjacent residence to the public on Thursday, Jan 27th at 6pm to showcase recent energy efficient improvements made to their property.
“After reading about the savings available to homeowners in a brochure from the Maine Green Energy Alliance (MGEA), we had a professional energy audit performed,” explained homeowner Jim LeClair. “Our auditor performed a blower door test and confirmed many energy leaks. Moving forward, we were surprised how many choices we had to become more energy efficient,” he continued. “MGEA was a great resource for helping us understand the process.”
By working with local contractors trained in energy improvements, the LeClair’s were able to combine substantial energy savings with a renovation of a 1969 era apartment and were able to do a lot of the work themselves. “Now we want to show others in the area a real project,” added Patti LeClair; “How an existing residence can be improved without having to rebuild it. I’m amazed when my weather station tells me the wind is howling because we’re so cozy inside!”
During the Open House, a short slide show will present before and after photos detailing the project from start to finish and guests will be treated to coffee and dessert. Shelby Wright, Education and Outreach Coordinator for MGEA, will be on hand to talk with visitors about the Efficiency Maine Energy Savings Program, how to get started to becoming more efficient and the benefits of doing energy efficient upgrades to their properties. Individuals that schedule an audit at the event on the 27th will receive a $50 off coupon from MGEA for their own home energy assessment. “The average homeowner can save $1,000 a year on their energy bills by installing comprehensive home energy upgrades,” Wright explained. “The LeClair’s property is a prime example of how energy efficient improvements can help homeowners and businesses save money on their energy bills and improve the comfort and safety of their properties.”
The MGEA program, which offers education and outreach staff and dedicated homeowner service is a one stop shop for finding contractors, scheduling audits, and completing necessary paperwork; the project is funded by Efficiency Maine. They have been working closely with the Belfast Energy and Climate Committee and program participants like the LeClair’s to facilitate the energy upgrades of 200 area homes by Dec. 31, 2011.
The Maine Coast Welcome Center is located at 169 Searsport Ave. (Rte 1) in Belfast. The “Warm Home” Open House is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27 from 6-8 pm. For more information call Jim LeClair at 207-930-3633 or email Jim@Maine-Coast-Welcome-Center.com or got to www.mainegreenenergyalliance.org.
