The tourists are coming; here's how to reach them

SANDPOINT — Are you ready for the tourists?

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Committee and sponsor AmericanWest Bank would like to welcome area business people to May’s Chamber Academy from noon-1:30 p.m. Friday at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Ponderay. The topic being presented is “The Tourists are Coming! The Tourists are Coming! How to market your business to the elusive tourist” by Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s tourism experts.

Join Sean Mirus and Dave Kulis, of the Schweitzer Mountain Resort marketing department, for an insightful and fun look at tourism marketing. The focus of the discussion will be to identify strategies that can be employed to reach the tourism market. Emphasis will be placed on understanding who tourists are, where they are coming from and how businesses can capitalize on this important market. Sean and Dave will present a check list of reference points that business owners can use to make sure they’re prepared to reach tourists and present a business that is “tourism ready.” Then, they’ll dive deep into a variety of strategies that can be used to reach the market without spending big dollars. From partnering with other tourism organizations to grass roots ideas and simple social media campaigns, the focus will be on providing new ideas that can be easily implemented, show return on investment and elevate your tourism marketing plan to the next level.

Advance registration and prepayment are required. The cost is $20 for chamber members, $25 for non-members and includes a boxed lunch.

The Chamber Academy series is located at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 477326 Highway 95. You have to register for the workshop online at www.sandpointchamber.org or by calling 263-2161.