Developing and sustaining tourism business will be the focus of a workshop to be taught next month by travel expert and nationally syndicated radio talk show host Stephanie Abrams at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pittsfield.
The five-session workshop, titled "The Tourism Marketing Magnet"
(WKS-2501), specifically focuses on applications for companies and organizations that derive their growth from tourism. According to Abrams, in addition to the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, this also includes any business or organization that profits from tourism. "Even those responsible for running the gift shops at cultural attractions will benefit from this course," she said.
Course participants learn how to sharpen their marketing skills by defining their goals, creating programs to achieve those goals, understanding tourism product and consumer expectations, exploring niche markets and target-marketing, going after the traveling public on a "shoe-string" budget, and creating tourism "magnets" that attract attention. Classes meet Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 2-30, from 2:30 to 5:30.
Abrams, who has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, has repeatedly been rated as one of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Travel." She served as the executive vice president of Travel Network and Global Travel Network, building that company into an international chain of franchised travel agencies.
The recognition of her leadership in franchising resulted in her serving on the International Affairs Committee of the International Franchise Association. Currently, she heads Abrams Hospitality Marketing in Lanesborough and hosts the nationally syndicated "Travel with Stephanie Abrams!" show on the Business Talk Radio Network.
Developed in collaboration with the Office of LifeLong Learning and Workforce Development at Berkshire Community College over a period of 10 months, Abrams' workshop is intended to be the first in a series of courses that address evolving tourism issues. "In light of recent news articles about tourism in the Berkshires, it is clear that this program's debut is on target for meeting the needs of (tourism-related) businesses in search of direction to improve performance and results," said Abrams.
For more information, or to register, contact BCC at 413-499-4660, Ext. 374 or 375. All registrations should be completed no later than one week before the first class.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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