Three training and planning events are taking place this January, 2019, at the Tecumseh Commons in Shawnee. They include an AirBNB workshop on January 12th, an Interpretive Guide Meet Up on January 20th, and a Social Media and Marketing Meet Up on January 23. They are all free and open to the public. For more information and to reserve a spot, see below!
AirBNB Workshop January 12: Lodging Options Needed in Remote Areas of Region
The Southern Perry Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs (SPICE) is hosting a free workshop for property owners interested in providing lodging through the AirBNB on-line lodging reservations application. Bed and Breakfast operator Michael Steinmaus of Wildwood Llama Farm near Maxville in southern Perry County will be the workshop leader to be held at the Tecumseh Commons at 117 West Main Street in Shawnee from 1-3pm on Saturday afternoon, January 12. Click here to register.
Lodging is a major gap for the more remote areas of the Winding Road’s nine-county region here in the Muskingum and Hocking River Valleys of southeastern Ohio. Communities such as Logan, Athens, Zanesville, Lancaster and Marietta provide a wealth of traditional lodging, though authentic options such as cabins in the Hocking Hills and bed and breakfasts are in short supply in many areas in southeastern Ohio.
The Winding Road Network has identified “authentic amenities” as one of its key sectors of our brand. This sector includes lodging, dining, shopping, etc. An Authentic Amenities (aka tourism related businesses) Sector Meet Up is planned for this spring.
Interpretive Guide MeetUp #2 January 20: Fall MeetUp #1 for Guides a Success
On December 8th, over 25 people came out to develop an organized calendar of interpretive guide events for 2019. Under the leadership of Ken Bowald, the meet ups goal was to bring the entire Winding Road region into the discussion, in addition to our more popular destinations. Importantly, these tours not only celebrate and bring history, nature and communities alive in the region, they also contribute to our local businesses: visitors to Appalachian Ohio are excited to hear our authentic stories, and these tours have direct economic impact.
The Interpretive Guide Work Group will have a follow up meeting Sunday, January 20th from 2-4pm, and even if you weren’t able to make it to the first meeting, you are still encouraged to come! We will continue to plan and build programs and tours, and a 2019 calendar of events. The event is free; sign up below to let us know you are coming!
Social Media & Marketing MeetUp Jan. 26: ACEnet Training Helps Producers & Entrepreneurs Connect to Market
Producers and promoters of experiences in southeastern Ohio along the Winding Road are invited to a free Social Media and Marketing workshop on Saturday morning, January 26 from 10AM-1PM at the Tecumseh Commons in Shawnee.
Trainers from the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) who will present at the Meet Up ask, “How do you identify and target a specific audience for marketing your products or services? Participants will learn how to develop brand identity using logos and other visual tools. Learn how to tell your unique story and develop marketing materials that reinforce your brand. And follow with latest information on how to best access social media platforms to reach your desired audiences as well exploring other forms of advertising to reach potential customers.
This event is free and open to the public. Complimentary morning refreshments and a light lunch are provided. Winding Road Network organizers will close out the day with a lunch time discussion about how the network can work together to assist fellow experience producers market their products during 2019 and beyond.