- April 28, 2024
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If Flagler County experiences a lift in tourism, we might have the creative types to thank for it.
On Thursday, the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates held its third Arts Alliance meeting at Kokoro Sushi Bar to discuss communication, events and packages to bolster tourism.
Georgia Turner, vice president of tourism development, led the meeting. About 60 people attended, including five of the nine members of the Tourist Development Council, which oversees a $1.5 million budget for tourism efforts.
The Arts Alliance meeting was broken into three groups to discuss communication, a master calendar and events.
Casey Ryan, product development manager for tourism development, led the 19-person Event and Packaging Committee brainstorming discussion. She said hotels are willing to work with venues, especially when performances or concerts need to fill more seats.
Representatives from the Flagler Playhouse, Flagler Auditorium, City Repertory Theater, Red Roof Inn, Courtyard Marriott, Hampton Inn and Hammock Business Association were among those who contributed ideas.
“Everybody’s in the same boat,” said Lisa McDevitt, director of the Flagler Auditorium. “We have to educate people.”
McDevitt said the auditorium also brings business to hotels and restaurants by its traveling performers.
John Sbordone, co-founder of the City Repertory Theatre, said his company is packaging with local restaurants.
Beverly Patrick, community relations manager for the Flagler Playhouse, said she would like to make the population more aware of theater events.
The group emphasized the need for a master calendar to coordinate events, and the possibility of organizing an “arts week” to bring in patrons from outside the county.
“Arts definitely make a big economic impact in our community,” McDevitt said.
Hospitality training
Before the Arts Alliance meeting, a hospitality meeting was held to discuss assembling a “hospitality training” program.
Sallie O’Hara, who is implementing a management plan for tourism along State Road A1A, said educating hospitality staff is crucial for a fruitful tourism industry.
“We need to arm our line staff with materials as far as where to go, where to eat and what to see,” she said. “We have to train everybody on a constant, ongoing basis.”
She said she promotes tourism through social media and advertising, but everyone needs to step up and contribute.
“We’ve got the best place in the world,” she said. “It’s incumbent upon each and every one of us to push that message out there.” “It’s an opportunity to get the tourism industry together,” she said. “Our goal is to get the hospitality industry informed.”
