The Sandoval County Office of Business Development and Tourism is hosting a workshop to give local business owners tips on how to better tap into the state’s thriving tourist industry.
The one-day workshop is scheduled for 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Friday, July 31, 2015 at the Walatowa Visitor Center, 7413 Highway 4, Jemez Pueblo.
“We love bringing new and repeat visitors to our county. That’s why we’re always trying to stay ahead of industry trends and do whatever we can do help our local establishments provide the best possible customer service,” said Antoinette Vigil, manager of the Sandoval County Office of Business Development and Tourism. “This workshop should help our local business people develop strategies for attracting new visitors, as well as give them tools to make those visitors have the type of experience that will keep them coming back.”
The first half of the workshop will be conducted by New Mexico Department of Tourism Secretary Rebecca Latham, who will provide an overview of the New Mexico True campaign that has helped draw record numbers of visitors to New Mexico in recent years. Secretary Latham and her staff are expected to share plans for taking this campaign in new directions. They also will give local businesses people suggestions for leveraging the New Mexico True brand to attract more customers to their individual establishments.
Among the suggestions will be how to use a tool that’s already available on the tourism department website to create New Mexico True ads featuring local destinations.
State tourism staff also will discuss available grant funding to help with promoting local tourist areas, along with strategies for working with the department to get media coverage.
The second part of the workshop will focus on methods for making guests feel welcome—and willing to visit again—when they come to your business. This session will be conducted by staffers from the Hilton Garden Inn, who understand that any tourism-focused business will struggle to consistently meet guests’ expectation without offering comprehensive, on-going customer service training for all employees.
The full-day workshop is free and open to all local business people, but spaces are limited. To reserve a space, contact Antoinette Vigil at avigil@sandovalcountynm.gov or call 505-867-8687.