January 7th, 2010
Star sighting in SLO?
It’s the New Year and we’re off and running. Let’s start with something light: Andre, Morris & Buttery attorney Kathy Eppright’s son Andy (that’s him in the red shoes) was downtown with some pals, Evan and Reagan Holly and Justin Hatcher, and made a sighting of someone Andy reported to be that “guy who goes to all the Lakers’ games.” Or is it? Whether real deal or wanna be, the star was game to play … Larry Embley of Jano Graphics teamed up with Cal Poly’s Mary LaPorte to give her graphic design students a real world “learn-by-doing” opportunity. Students designed and produced a calendar showcasing Jano’s services. Free copies of the enviro-friendly piece are available by e-mail request … Electronics into the trash? Read about IFixIt.com CEO Kyle Wiens’ trip to Africa to learn some scary facts about what happens to e-waste … The Seacrest Resort in Pismo Beach is in the good management hands of Myraline Morris Whitaker and her company, Central Coast of California Hospitality. Myraline is a well-known local tourism professional whose resume includes a year as Board Chair at the SLO County Visitors and Conference Bureau.
November 19th, 2009
Christine Maguire and wooly friends.
Sunset Magazine went looking for the West’s “best farm stay for lovers of wine and cheese” and anointed SLO County’s own Rinconada Dairy top dog. The honors are well earned by owners Jim and Christine Maguire, whose farm is described in inviting detail: “…Try your hand at milking a goat, then taste one of the dairy’s three award-winning cheeses. Whatever you do, get up in time to have breakfast: Everything, from eggs to bacon to plum jam, comes off the Maguires’ 92 acres.” No wonder ag tourism has such appeal … And aw shucks, speaking of home grown delights, try the oysters of Morro Bay Oyster Company … Black Friday, the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping phenomenon, is more than a one-day sales sensation to Cal Poly fifth-year student Mike Brim. In 2005, Brim capitalized on Black Friday interest and created a Web site, www.BFAds.net that captures offers and opportunities from retailers nationwide. Brim’s wildly successful venture has been covered in a New York Times front page story and on NBC’s Today Show. The site has millions of visitors each year. Add to the traffic by clicking here … San Luis Art Supply is making a colorful splash on Morro Street in SLO (Between Higuera and March). Owner Neal Breton’s store is open seven days a week, and, in the spirit of creativity, notes that hours are “10ish to 6ish.”
November 19th, 2009
Jennie Saxon, BCA Account Manager and tourism expert.
Confession: I’m a tourism junkie – the topic actually puts a spring in my step. So nothing could keep me from the California Sustainable Tourism Summit where 25 industry experts and 200 attendees shared tips on converting sustainability into tourism dollars.
Apparently, the travel plans of over 45 percent of U.S. travelers are influenced by a destination’s authenticity and the measures in place to minimize a traveler’s impact on the local environment and culture. Sounds like something our region should be able to offer with its eyes closed, right? Surprisingly, a recent BCA audit of this region’s online promotions revealed very little green travel info available to would-be tourists.
Now, it can’t be that SLO businesses aren’t sustainable. So…promote yourselves! Tell those travelers how visiting SLO will not only save them money – but save the environment as well. And if you’d like a little help spreading the word…give us a call!
Editor’s Note: Jennie Saxon is BCA’s resident tourism expert and public relations account manager. She comes by her love of the biz honestly, working powerhouse posts at Mount Vernon, the National Academy of Science’s Koshland Museum, and the International Spy Museum in Washington DC, where she managed razzle dazzle PR for the opening of our nation’s hottest tourist stop.
