Trails & economic benefits workshop

Lydia Higginson, deputy director of Dutchess County Tourism, sent the following message for the Quad blog:

HUDSON VALLEY TRAILS AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS WORKSHOP

Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess County Tourism present Hudson Valley Trails and Economic Benefits Workshop on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 8:30am to 11:45am at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. The cost to attend event is $25 per person, and includes a continental breakfast and coffee.

Trails have become more popular than ever, and this workshop offers practical ideas for marketing businesses and organizations near Dutchess County's trails to draw visitors to this region. This dynamic workshop informs and educates participants about the economic benefits of our area’s many rail trails, including Walkway Over the Hudson, Harlem Valley Rail Trail, Dutchess County Rail Trail, and Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. The October opening of Walkway Over the Hudson, the longest pedestrian walkway in the world, offers an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote hotels, organizations, and/or historic sites around the Hudson Valley and Dutchess County. Make the most of this occasion and learn how you can partner with this extraordinary attraction. Please RSVP by Thursday, March 19, 2009 to reserve your spot at this seminar!

The featured speakers at this event are David Lindahl from Morton Trails in Vermont and Rob Camoin from Camoin Associates. The panel is moderated by Amy Husten from Walkway Over the Hudson, Karl Beard from the National Park Service, and Jayne McLaughlin with New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Additional invited panel members include Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Senator Charles E. Schumer, and a representative from the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont.

Along with Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess County Tourism, the Journey Inn Bed and Breakfast in Hyde Park and Ulster County Tourism are also sponsors of this workshop. For information, contact Lydia Higginson at Lydia@dutchesstourism.com or 845-463-4000.

Dutchess County Tourism (DCT) is an agency of Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation and is funded by the County of Dutchess.