2002-11-11 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting

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• enhance the effectiveness of advertising. This same concept is important in the third segment of the market which is interstate and international. By making the traveler aware of other venues in the San Jacinto area they can plan their schedule to take advantage of these opportunities as add-ons to their trip. Our area attractions have missed opportunities because they were not aware of what could be done and how to promote themselves. There are several trade associations that SJATC would join in order to participate in educational and promotional programs. The top organizations are the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA), the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors' Bureaus (TACVB), the Texas Hotel/Motel Association (THN1A) and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB). These organizations provide education and information that would enhance our local marketing program. In addition they sponsor cooperative advertising and promotional trips which targets not only the traveler, but also the travel counselors and tour packagers. Another benefit of membership would be an awareness of additional funding opportunities for both the SJATC and the local attractions. An immediate increase in tourism and tourism dollars would not be expected. The local attractions need to be identified and evaluated. Some will need to be improved so that the visitors' experience will be positive. Roadblocks to promotion and presentation will have to be eliminated, Event dates may need to be coordinate to eliminate conflicts and competition. Cross promotion between events and venues need to be established so that the tourist will find other places to visit while in the area, or a reason to come back at a later date.' Possible new venues will be developed and most certainly employees/volunteers will have to be trained to provide quality service. Programs such as San Jacinto College' new Workforce Development Program, "Tourism and Hospitality Program Certificate" would be utilized to train people for the hospitality industry. Local groups will have to be convinced to work together instead of in competition with each other. Appropriate marketing must be determined, designed and put into place. It would be contra productive to advertise a program that was not prepared to receive the traveler and to give them a meaningful experience. Individual brochures and a general Visitor's Guide listing attractions, restaurants, lodging, shopping and other appropriate destinations for the visitor needs to be developed. The use of public access television will be explored to provide information and education to the local communities as well as information to the motel customers. Once these basis programs are in place then a marketing program to attract visitors will be initiated. A partial listing of current tourist attractions (venues) follows: Texas Independence Trail (located on the route) Texas Independence Highway (SH 225) Vince's Bridge Historical Marker Santa Anna Capture Site Historical Marker San Jacinto Battleground and Monument U. S. S. (Battleship) Texas Texas Historical Markers (approximately 50 in the area, such as) David Pomeroy 8/19/02 4 Proposal2lp