Franklin County PA Tourism Summit Set For September 26

Franklin County PA Tourism Summit Set For September 26

by | Sep 19, 2019 | Blog

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) is holding a Tourism Summit at the 11/30 Visitors Center on September 26, 8 AM to Noon. It will recap FCVB’s first year in the new visitors center, look ahead to 2020, and provide tourism partners an opportunity to share highlights of their organization or business. The goal is to share and learn and expand the footprint of tourism in Franklin County.

Keynote speaker Mickey Schaefer will present Driving Tourism Through Quality Experience. The presentation will help summit participants to understand strategies to make visitors experiences better. A good visitor experience is the way to bring more visitors, return visitors, and increase spending throughout the county. Schaefer is the founder of The EXPERIENCE Institute, a companion of the Certified Tourism Ambassador Program, and is an inductee into the Events Industry Council’s Hall of Fame.

Tourism brings $350 million in visitors spending to Franklin County’s economy and generates nearly $1 million in room tax that supports heritage, culture, agricultural and recreational vitality. To frame tourism’s importance and integrated value in both an economic and quality of life perspective, a panel discussion will follow the keynote. Panelists include Mike Ross of Franklin County Area Development Corporation, Katie Hess of South Mountain Partnership, Matthew Ross of Southcentral PA Works, Janet Pollard of Franklin County Visitors Bureau, and Mickey Schaefer.

The public, non-profits, and tourism-related or tourism-supporting businesses are welcome. There is no charge to register. Contact FCVB at 717.552.2977 or visit Eventbrite to register.

Franklin County Awards Tourism & Quality of Life Grants

Franklin County Awards Tourism & Quality of Life Grants

by | Dec 11, 2017 | Blog

The Franklin County Commissioners awarded grants for the Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grant Program during their meeting yesterday. Franklin County established this grant program to support the county’s tourism efforts and develop the county’s quality of life related assets. Funds for the program are from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund and the Hotel Tax. The purpose of this grant program is to enhance the tourism experience, retain and increase visitation and overnight stays within Franklin County, improve the county as a destination market for leisure travel, and to provide bike and walking trails which benefit the community and enhance the quality of life for county residents.

Seven projects were awarded funding for the 2017 round. The projects include: Greene Township, $100,000 for Phase 1 of the Conococheague Trail project; the Coyle Free Library, $50,000 for the restoration of the cornice work during the renovation of the library; Totem Pole Playhouse, $35,000 to improve the stormwater drainage on site and to increase the restroom capacity at the facility; Franklin County Historical Society, $35,000 for the design and installation of a climate control system for the archival storage areas; Capitol Theatre, $20,000 for the replacement of wiring, electric controls and lighting fixture; Historic Letterkenny Chapel and Franklin County Veterans and 9/11 Memorial Park, $6,000 for installation of a low voltage LED lighting system to illuminate the kiosks and the Trail of Service and the planting of trees and shrubbery in the park; and Healthy Franklin County, $4,000 for the creation of a walking/running routes webpage and booklet.