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.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Senior Golf Series Returns in September
Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire County Fall Senior Golf series returns in September with events on five consecutive Wednesdays starting Sept. 18.
It is the 22nd year of the series, which is a fund-raiser for junior golf in the county, and it is open to players aged 50 and up.
The series will feature two divisions for each event based on the combined ages of the playing partners.
Golfers play from the white tees (or equivalent) with participants 70 and over or who have a handicap of more than 9 able to play from the forward tees.
Gross and net prices will be available in each division.
The cost is $55 per event and includes a round of golf, food and prizes. Carts are available for an additional fee.
Golfers should call the pro shop at the course for that week's event no sooner than two weeks before the event to register.
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Bella Kotek Sunday completed a Berkshire County sweep at the State Bowling Championships at Bowlero.
click for more
Emily Holian’s strike to open the 10th frame of the Wildcats’ second game against Worcester Tech all but assured Lee a team title at Bowlero Chicopee.
click for more
Hoosac struggled to get into rhythm on the offensive end until Joey McGovern got the 3-ball working. McGovern finished the game with 21 points including a triple in the fourth quarter that cemented him in the record books. It took him nearly the whole game but he was able to join the 1,000-point... click for more
Pittsfield High's Eliza Mullen won state title and in the giant slalom and slalom, winning the former discipline by 1.6 seconds and the latter by nearly 2.7 seconds.
click for more