Convention and Visitors Bureau brings it home!
Number of conventions, conferences and reunions increasing

 

Most local residents probably would not describe Bellingham as a tourist mecca. But the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) would like you to reconsider.

CVB executive director John Cooper has conceived and developed a program called “Bring It Home!” that relies on businesses and residents to help boost tourism.

Six thousand eight hundred people in this area are employed in tourism or travel-related businesses. That works out to about eight percent of the workforce, which, Cooper says, makes Bellingham and environs a destination for travelers.

Cooper originated “Bring It Home!,” but it was inspired by the work of resident Jack Crandall, advisor to the Sehome High School Junior Engineers Club. The national Junior Engineers organization sponsors an annual bridge-building competition that attracts contestants from all over the world.

The contest is usually held in Denver or Chicago; but Crandall had a better idea. He successfully promoted and brought the competition to Bellingham. Twice.

“What if,” said Cooper, “every citizen in this area who belongs to a group that holds conventions made an effort to ‘Bring It Home?’ What if every person who is contemplating a reunion, family gathering, or special event could try to do it in Whatcom County?”

Cooper thinks the potential is enormous. So much so that the CVB recently gave awards to Crandall and Stu Gorski, golf coach at Mt. Baker High School, for “Bringing It Home.”

Gorski succeeded in bringing the 2002 Senior Washington Open Golf Tournament to Whatcom County. The PGA-sanctioned event will be held at Lake Padden Golf Course in August, and is expected to attract more than 200 senior golf pros and result in 500 booked room nights.

Crandall’s event was attended by 200 people and resulted in 100 room nights.

Room nights mean a lot more than just business for local hotels. Visitors staying overnight spend money in restaurants and shops. They take whale-watching tours, go sightseeing or take to the slopes on Mt. Baker. The travelers drop a few bucks at local casinos, and buy film and disposable cameras to record their adventures.

But that’s just the primary effect. Every hotel, restaurant or shop depends on other local businesses for everything from laundry to plumbing to office supplies. The magnitude of this ripple effect is subject to considerable debate, but the effect itself is not. In the end, nearly everyone in the area benefits in some way from tourism.

So why shouldn’t we all be responsible for “Bringing It Home?” Cooper proposes that businesses and residents should be responsible and involved in the effort.

“My dream is that every adult citizen will serve as an ambassador to this area. It is up to all of us, to create a favorable impression,” Cooper said. “The vast majority of our business comes from repeat visitors, so we need to make people want to return.”

It could come down to something as simple as a resident courteously giving directions to a visitor or recommending a restaurant. Business owners can strive to improve customer service or keep their shops cleaner and more attractive. The point is, according to Cooper, it’s in our own best interest.

Cooper and the Bellingham/Whatcom Convention and Visitors Bureau are devoting a lot of resources to the “Bring It Home!” campaign. They have developed a “Bring It Home!” brochure, 1,000 of which were recently mailed to businesses, community leaders, clubs and organizations.

The publication offers suggestions for increasing the number of visitors to this area. It also mentions awards and prizes awaiting those who successfully “Bring It Home!”

Resources are available to aid in this effort. The CVB will send a book of coupons and incentives to friends of residents and their family members who may be considering a visit, and can assist with booking rooms and event facilities.

Bureau staffers are available to speak at club or organization meetings and offer to train employees in customer service, direction skills and information on community attractions.

Printed visitor guidebooks are also available for display at businesses and professional offices.

“Bring It Home!” brochures contain forms for requesting information and visitor packets, and can be picked up at the bureau office at 904 Potter Street.

Telephone number is (360) 671-3990 or toll-free at 1-800-487-2032.