By HERALD STAFF
February 19, 2011

FRANKFORD — Sussex Skylands is a four-season destination and the county Chamber of Commerce is doing whatever it can to get out that message.

“We’re trying to get the dollars here in our economy,” chamber President Tammie Horsfield said to a group of local tourism partners Thursday morning at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.

Throughout the presentation defining the chamber’s tourism visioning, Horsfield underscored the importance of joining together to get the most out of marketing exposure and expenditures and capitalize on the Sussex Skylands brand.

“The time is now to position Sussex County,” touted the promotional materials.

“We’ve got the product,” Horsfield said, “Let’s just sell it.”

Attendees were given packets of information including a new foldout map of the county with attractions and destinations featured on the reverse side, a mailout-ready brochure, a listing of upcoming events, and even a flying disc promotional toy used at various conventions and expos.

Tourist touchpoints included in her talk ranged from state parks and an extensive rails and trails system for outdoor enthusiasts, to annual events and festivals, eco- and agri-tourism, to more tranquil opportunities.

A goal of the chamber, Horsfield said, is to create a complete guide of the trails, including what uses are allowed on each with GPS coordinates.

“We want to connect as many (of the trails) as we can,” she said.

Other visitors could be attracted to the resorts, spas and bed-and-breakfasts. “We reap the dollars when they stay overnight.”

The county’s more than 20 private and public golf courses were referred to as a mini golf mecca.

Horsfield said the chamber had placed advertisements in various publications throughout the state and area, and last year distributed 100,000 coffee cups and sleeves with promotional graphics and information outside the immediate area to attract visitors.

In addition to redefining its website, the chamber is expanding its use of social media and the latest technology to market the county as well, including Facebook, mobile and e-mail marketing.

“We’re putting our money where our mouth is,” she said.

New Jersey Travel and Tourism grants of $126,000 for 2009-2010 and again for 2010-2011 are used for these outreach marketing efforts.

Significantly increasing the number of day and overnight trips to Sussex County will have a positive impact on economic development and job creation, Horfield said, and tourism-related businesses working together can increase that effect to the benefit of all.

Lori Space Day of Space Farms echoed that sentiment. “Once we get them in the county we want to spread them around a bit,” Day said.

Paul Meacham, artistic director of Tri-State Actors Theater, directing his comments to the attendees, said the theater is moving its performances around the county and encouraged others to partner with it.

“We’re bigger than ourselves,” Horsfield agreed.

Note: View the article here.