| | Ag tourism clusters are formed when a few keen people with a lot of passion pool their resources, talent and creativity to collectively promote themselves as a group, a tourism destination with distinction. Together these folks dream up events, activities and attractions that will appeal to locals and visitors alike.
"During the bear pit sessions at the Harvest the Talent conference, participants shared a number of excellent ideas that can help clusters attract even more potential customers," says Carmen Andrew, network development specialist, Ag Tourism Team, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Red Deer.
Attracting media to a cluster event:
- use local celebrities and well-known community members to attract attention
- get to media through their stomachs
- copy press release story leads into the body of e-mails
- give advance notice and details to entice summer media cruiser vans to events
- send thank you cards or phone media who promote and attend an event
Attracting sponsors to a cluster event:
- create professional looking sponsorship packages
- thank all sponsors for their time
- consider in-kind or non-monetary sponsorship
- previous sponsors are likely to be repeat sponsors, so do contact the same people year after year
"There are currently several cluster groups operating in Alberta," says Andrew. "They have planned some interesting and exciting events and event weekends."
What are Alberta's Ag Tourism Clusters up to:
- Northeast cluster - the Ag-Adventure Passport promotion will run from June to October 2006. The promotion encompasses eight major ag tourism events and operations in the area. Check out the website www.albertaslakeland.com
- Edmonton cluster - July 22 to 23 - The Country Soul Stroll in Sturgeon County is in its fourth year. For details, check the website.
And - November 17 to 19 - plans are in the works for the Country Christmas weekend. For details, check the website
- North Calgary cluster - The new Country Treasures guide and map is now available. It outlines ag tourism products that can be found in the north Calgary area. For details, check the website
For more information on Ag tourism and Alberta's Ag tourism clusters, contact Andrew, (403) 340-5542, Red Deer.
Contact: Carmen Andrew (403) 340-5542 |
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