Destination Gettysburg... [New Name of Former CVB]

[lifesaver]

Glad to read the article in the Times today of the efforts to rebrand Gettysburg.  In my opinion it's refreshing to see some forward thinking in attracting visitors to our area.  I like the new logo too, very clever.  Don't think it will show up in the copy though.

Destination Gettysburg looks to future of local tourism




LOGO - Destination Gettysburg's new logo was unveiled Tuesday night. (Alex J. Hayes/Gettysburg Times)

Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 12:11 am | Updated: 8:55 am, Wed Mar 12, 2014.

BY ALEX J. HAYES Times Managing Editor | 0 comments

In order for Adams County to continue to thrive as a tourist destination, it must attract a younger crowd and inform visitors before they arrive how much there is to do beyond the battlefield.

A big leap toward achieving that goal, according to Norris Flowers, is the county's marketing organization, which was formerly known as the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, taking on a new name - Destination Gettysburg.

"I am confident it will have a long-term positive effect on your business," Flowers, president of Destination Gettysburg, told those who packed into the Gettysburg Hotel ballroom on Tuesday night for the first annual dinner of Destination Gettysburg.

Flowers explained that he and others in the tourism industry knew 2013 would be a successful year since it was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The CVB worked hard last year, Flowers said, to make sure visitors had a memorable experience; but they were also focused on how the landmark anniversary could launch the area into the future.

The CVB hired Collision Media and Events to rebrand Gettysburg. Chris Rash, vice president of Collision Media, explained that he and his staff interviewed visitors, business owners and elected officials to determine how Gettysburg is viewed by the world. Rash said most people know Gettysburg is a Civil War town, but the majority of people believe it is in Virginia. Also, most people view it as a place to visit for one day to see the battlefield.

"You guys have a ton to do in Gettysburg, beyond the battlefield," Rash said.

Rash said the key to the future success of Gettysburg and Adams County is to spread that message. He explained that many people arrive, realize there is so much to do, but do not have time to explore the opportunities because they only committed to one or two days.

Destination Gettysburg's new tag line - "And you thought we were just history" - will hopefully lessen that problem, said Stacey Fox, Destination Gettysburg's vice president of sales and marketing.

Fox unveiled the organization's new logo, which has several trees with different colored leaves to indicate Adams County is a vacation spot for all four seasons. The trees also represent the area's rich agricultural heritage, Fox said. The first "G" in Gettysburg has a standard look, to represent that the area is always looking forward. The second "G" is reversed to indicate the area is also always looking back and respecting its history, Fox said.

The key to attracting younger visitors and families, Fox said, is to have specific reasons each month to visit Gettysburg and stay longer than one or two days to see the battlefield. She explained that Destination Gettysburg will be encouraging people to visit for romantic getaways, golf outings, road races, family fun, food and festivals, dedication and remembrance, and holiday shopping.

"We have to help them understand all that is out there," Fox said.

Fox encouraged business owners to create their own packages based on the themes set by Destination Gettysburg. Specifics on each theme are available in the member section of the organization's website.

Flowers said his organization is excited about the future, and added that he and his staff will constantly monitor the plan and make changes as needed.

[philliesfan]

I find it rather ironic that they choose to use trees to represent the various seasons, while on the other side of the coin, the NPS has chopped down thousands of trees in the area and looking for more! However, I am pleased to see that there is some sense of fresh air being introduced into the tourist market!

[davew]

It looks like a cheesy effort to me. There's no reason to go there other than civil war centric ideas. Anything else can easily be had at other destinations in better quality.

[lifesaver]

Mar 13, 2014 9:37:52 GMT -5 davew said:

It looks like a cheesy effort to me. There's no reason to go there other than civil war centric ideas. Anything else can easily be had at other destinations in better quality.

So, the Apple Harvest and Apple Blossom Festivals, Bike Week, Gettysburg Festival, Wine Festival, and the events held all the time at the three wineries in the county are "cheesy" events?  Really?  And that's just naming a few off the top of my head.  So now, the question is, have you ever attended any of these events?   Oh, wait a minute...... one of the wineries, I think Adams County Winery just had a wine and cheese pairing event so I'll give you that one.

[Mr Blonde]

I'm pretty sure that DaveW would bitch about someone handing him a $100 bill.

[davew]

Mar 13, 2014 10:08:21 GMT -5 lifesaver said:

Mar 13, 2014 9:37:52 GMT -5 davew said:

It looks like a cheesy effort to me. There's no reason to go there other than civil war centric ideas. Anything else can easily be had at other destinations in better quality.

So, the Apple Harvest and Apple Blossom Festivals, Bike Week, Gettysburg Festival, Wine Festival, and the events held all the time at the three wineries in the county are "cheesy" events?  Really?  And that's just naming a few off the top of my head.  So now, the question is, have you ever attended any of these events?   Oh, wait a minute...... one of the wineries, I think Adams County Winery just had a wine and cheese pairing event so I'll give you that one.

Yeah, I've been to some of those events. Some of them many times.

They are nice local events, but they aren't events that I'd travel a hundred miles to go to, let alone several hundred miles.

I haven't been to the bluegrass festival, but that's one that has enough unique stuff in it that you can't see most places that I'd consider coming back to town to see it - just haven't had the chance.

I meet people quite often who ask me about the civil war when they find out that I grew up in gettysburg, but only one time ever have I been asked about bike week, and i've never been asked about any of the others.

The battlefield has credibility as something worth traveling to see that none of those other events will remotely approach...not even if they all happened in the same week.

[lifesaver]

Mar 14, 2014 10:32:56 GMT -5 davew said:

Mar 13, 2014 10:08:21 GMT -5 lifesaver said:

So, the Apple Harvest and Apple Blossom Festivals, Bike Week, Gettysburg Festival, Wine Festival, and the events held all the time at the three wineries in the county are "cheesy" events?  Really?  And that's just naming a few off the top of my head.  So now, the question is, have you ever attended any of these events?   Oh, wait a minute...... one of the wineries, I think Adams County Winery just had a wine and cheese pairing event so I'll give you that one.

Yeah, I've been to some of those events. Some of them many times.

They are nice local events, but they aren't events that I'd travel a hundred miles to go to, let alone several hundred miles.

I haven't been to the bluegrass festival, but that's one that has enough unique stuff in it that you can't see most places that I'd consider coming back to town to see it - just haven't had the chance.

I meet people quite often who ask me about the civil war when they find out that I grew up in gettysburg, but only one time ever have I been asked about bike week, and i've never been asked about any of the others.

The battlefield has credibility as something worth traveling to see that none of those other events will remotely approach...not even if they all happened in the same week.

Ummmm.......davew.  Maybe you should read the article again.  The battlefield is the DRAW, the other activities are geared to get them to STAY more than the day or two to visit the battlefield.  The whole point being there is more to do in Gettysburg than visit the battlefield.  Destination Gettysburg will cater to those casual tourists (the majority of tourists that come to Gettysburg) who are looking to have some fun along with history. 

[Fire Marshal Bill]

Much at the discussion often went with the Casino, not everyone wants to do history and the battlefield 24/7. Yes there are those who would spend all of their time on the battlefield, or at other locations that have historical significance, but not everyone.

Many people enjoy the history, but also want other things to do. They want to have other things to break up their time on the battlefield.

There are also families where everyone is not interested in history, and different family members want to do different things to do.

Yes, the Battlefield and history may be the main draw, but we need to let people know about the other things we have to offer.

[Alex Oreilly]

Mar 15, 2014 16:04:23 GMT -5 Fire Marshal Bill said:

Much at the discussion often went with the Casino, not everyone wants to do history and the battlefield 24/7. Yes there are those who would spend all of their time on the battlefield, or at other locations that have historical significance, but not everyone.

Many people enjoy the history, but also want other things to do. They want to have other things to break up their time on the battlefield.

There are also families where everyone is not interested in history, and different family members want to do different things to do.

Yes, the Battlefield and history may be the main draw, but we need to let people know about the other things we have to offer.

Well said FMB!!!!!

[anonymous]

The CVB hired Collision Media and Events to rebrand Gettysburg.

What was the cost for the consultant? Can't Flowers "reinvent" for himself?

[lifesaver]

Mar 16, 2014 10:51:50 GMT -5 anonymous said:

The CVB hired Collision Media and Events to rebrand Gettysburg.

What was the cost for the consultant? Can't Flowers "reinvent" for himself?

I will agree that the thought of rebranding Gettysburg by promoting events outside of history is kind of a "duh".  Having a consultant group from the outside who actually knows how to successfully promote those events is well worth the money, in my opinion.  When you need an expert opinion it makes sense to consult the experts.

[diogenes]

Look at Flowers' previous record...Kansas City, ansas an Wyandotte ounty was zilch till Norris capita;ized on NASCAR and brouht about a trtemendous change to the area-am a Jayhawker so have a bias. Flowers knows what he's doing for Gettysburg IM(H)O