Scenic Byway Community Announcement

• build awareness of ways to use the byway designation to positively impact economic and community development.
• encourage intercommunity awareness, cooperation, and collaboration between byway stakeholders and communities to use the byway designation to attract visitors and encourage greater lengths of stay.
• present details on the three part $160,000.00 marketing campaign to fund the development of a trail brochure, design of a web page, and the expansion of the publication Arts, Crafts, & Foods along the Scenic Byways of the Adirondack North Country.

• When participants introduced themselves, they described one thing they would tell a visitor to enjoy in their community, and shared one activity/place/experience they enjoy in another Adirondack Trail Byway Community.
• John Kopp of Tupper Lake was invited to speak about his community’s Visitors’ Map project, funded by a byway’s grant. The grant paid for the costs of design, production, and printing for the first edition. To pay for subsequent print runs, local business owners and organizations will have the opportunity to buy ad space -- a cost efficient way to get great exposure and return on marketing investment.
• Participants gained a sense of the power, effectiveness, and fun of collaborative thinking to make the byways program work for them. In random groups they were asked to come up with a project that would help two or more Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway communities or regions engage visitors. Under recently announced funding, one or more of the projects, described at the end of this report, may, in fact, be further developed as applications submitted for grant funding.

• Strong consistent signage, including Destination Oriented Signs – especially important for businesses and attractions located in the Adirondack Park.
• Direct and indirect tourism revenues.
• Encouraging economic development that is consistent with sustainable growth that will ensure nature-based resources are maintained.
• Community enhancements such as preservation of historic buildings, downtown revitalization, and cultural and recreational opportunities that benefit community members as well as visitors.

• Safe, personal, interactive, and accessible experiences.
• Quality, authenticity, a range of activities, choices in accommodations, and personal contacts.
• Activities that involve them in nature, agritourism, cultural heritage, health, tranquility, and relaxation.

• Adirondack Trail Byway Great Divide Bass Tournament: Blue Mountain Lake, Tupper Lake, Indian Lake, Long Lake, (the Hudson River and Saint Lawrence watersheds). Bass fishing event involving families, fish and game clubs, community groups. Shoulder season, last weekend in June. Potential sponsors—and benefactors -- boat liveries, rod makers, bait shops, sporting good shops, lodgings and restaurants, campgrounds, etc. Indirect benefits for gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, gift shops, etc.



• Adirondack Trail Birding Fieldguide and Festivals: A high quality birding manual or brochure also includes birding-related community events along the byway. Communities plan cooperative, non-competitive trans-seasonal events and encourage tie-in to birding theme and involvement by craft shops, lodgings, and restaurants. They take advantage of the high level of traveler interest in birding, attract visitors who typically are high spenders, extend visitor stays; get them to discover several different communities.



• Adirondack Trail Wildlife Corridor: based on the idea of Moody Marsh attraction of panoramic views relating to turtles. Each community along the byway corridor identifies a specific type of wildlife and uses it as a theme for promotion, events, etc.



• Adirondack Trail Road Rally Treasure Hunt: Communities in sections of the byway take turns holding family-oriented road rallies that include treasure hunts encouraging stops at local merchants, attractions, etc. Prizes include gift certificates for restaurants, shops, attractions, etc. to encourage visitor return and spending.