JULY 9, 2002
Dirk Marler JUST ONE GUEST
Our only guest was Dave Ranger, Sr. Project Manager at Tri-Ply Construction. Dave was the guest of Beth Kingie. Beth shamelessly used the opportunity as a commercial for Apex plumbing as she passed she shredded alligator (formerly Roger the Rat) to Russ Dix in the form of a mutant toilet plunger.
BBQ AT AMY’S THIS SATURDAY
The barbecue at Amy Neal’s house is this Saturday, July 13 at 4 p.m. Amy promises that the volleyball net will be set up, ad there will be Sno cones in both kid and adult versions.
VISIT CAMP FIFE
Jay Blake invited everyone to Camp Fife for their open house Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13. Activities start at 1:00 p.m. Friday and include a family style dinner at 6:00 p.m. complete with steak, chicken, or burgers for only $7. A $5 breakfast is available Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. and a BBQ hot dog/hamburger lunch at 1:00 p.m. is only $4. Visitors can experience a stage coach ride, tour the camp, view live artistry on canvas and with wood and chain saw, and “cherish the melodious sounds of a singing cowboy.” Call 455-4795 for reservations.
VINTIQUES BINGO COMING UP
Jack Gilbert reminded us that we have an opportunity to earn some money at the Vintiques by running the annual Bingo game. The Vintiques will be at the Fairgrounds August 2-3.
A LITTLE PROGRAM ABOUT MECCA
Our July 9 program was provided by Barbara Glover, Director of Tourism and Development for the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. The Bureau is a nonprofit organization designed to create economic development for the Valley from White Pass through Prosser.
Glover encouraged us to be ambassadors for the community. We have lots to offer visitors. According to Glover, “We live in a Mecca."
The Yakima Convention Center will soon be growing toward the south. The convention business is marketed primarily within the Pacific Northwest. Good pricing, good location, and excellent weather are big draws. Hotels are full nearly every weekend during the summer months, primarily due to conventions. The largest and fastest growing area of tourism is in the sports market.
The Bureau also works with the leisure market. The fastest growing segment in that category is the wine leisure travelers. We have a large and quickly growing wine region in the valley. We now produce just about the same amount of grapes as the Napa Valley. We were Wine Region of he Year for 2001 after only 20 years in the industry. The two new downtown facilities that are based on that market are a great addition. However, it important to recognize that wine is not the only thing people are looking for when they visit.
Glover helps market the Valley through familiarization tours. She identifies travel writers and media, and encourages them to visit. If they write an article about the Valley, it is typically worth more than the Bureau’s total annual advertising budget. In addition, those travel articles are more credible than ads. European travelers are fascinated by cowboys and Indians, Glover observed. It’s hard to pry them out of the Yakama Nation Cultural Center.
Convention Bureau staff also go to media blitzes to San Franscisco, Los Angeles, and New York to meet with travel writers.
A 1600 square ft. visitor center is planned between Pier 1 Imports and the freeway on Fair Avenue. Glover hopes it will be open this year.
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