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CARRABASSETT VALLEY – A new initiative, with a goal of developing a network of tourist-related businesses and organizations, will hold its launch party Thursday, at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.
The Franklin County Tourism Network (FCTN) is hosting its Launch Event on October 21, 2010, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center in Carrabassett Valley. Vaughn Stinson, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association, is the event keynote speaker, and Rick Martin, General Manager of the Comfort Inn & Suites Wilton/Farmington, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
The goal of the FCTN is to bring together tourism stakeholders from the private and public sectors – the business owners, landowners, resource owners and managers, government officials, and representatives from non-profit agencies – to work on bringing increased tourist dollars to the area, and to make Franklin County a world-class four-season tourism destination.
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The mission of the FCTN is to establish Franklin County as a visitor destination, to increase revenues for existing businesses and not-for-profit organizations, to create opportunities for business growth, and to encourage new business development. People attending the Launch Event will get the opportunity to share their ideas for fostering the success of Franklin County’s businesses by strengthening the tourism economy.
To compete in the global market, we must enhance the quality of the visitor experience in Franklin County. By networking among our tourism businesses, chambers of commerce, economic developers, other businesses and organizations; and by making the most of our natural assets, the tourism network will support businesses in attracting more tourists, which will have a positive effect on their bottom line.
As part of its mission, the FCTN has updated the Franklin Heritage Loop map as a new promotional piece to entice tourists to experience the Franklin County Region, and this map and guide of the Franklin County region will be unveiled during the October 21 Launch Event. The FCTN also worked with local training resources to offer several Customer Service training sessions in the spring and Interpretive Skills training sessions in the fall.
The current FCTN planning team members include: Susan Atwood (Wilson Lake Inn), Shaunacy Cobb (PlaceWorks Consulting), Warren Cook (Maine Network Partners), Richard Fotter (Flagstaff Area Business Association), Lloyd Griscom (High Peaks Alliance), Carole Haas (Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust), Alison Hagerstrom (Greater Franklin Development Corporation), Fred Hardy (Franklin County Commissioner), Dina Jackson (Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments), Rick Martin (Wilton Comfort Inn and Suites), Lorna Nichols (Franklin County Chamber of Commerce), Bonnie Perkins (Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce), Rebecca Schinas (Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce), Dawn Sova (Herbert Grand Hotel).
Please tell me that you are doing more than updating a trail map… Franklin County residents, at one time, made their money by working in our forests and in agriculture. The world is a changing place and residents have seen their way of life, jobs, businesses wither away. Franklin County has a very large percentage of it’s residents living at poverty levels and/or on some type of state aid. We need to invest in our infrastructure; schools, roads, workforce to keep pace with other areas. As it is now, I feel we are way behind and it will take many years to catch up. Look at what we have to offer and use it to our advantage. We have beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes and other natural wonders that people will travel to see and use.
Look at the White Mountains in NH. The Conway area has done well. It is a 4 season destination for many people. Perhaps we should build an economic model similar???
Steve……Awesome photo!!