LAKE COUNTY – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce is preparing for participation in the Bay Area Travel Show to be held Jan. 24 and 25 in Santa Clara. Participation will result in widespread exposure for the local travel industry.
“This Bay Area Travel Show encourages tourism for the 2009 year. There are thousands of vendors that participate,” Lori Peter, chamber executive director said. “This isn”t a little event and it”s an ideal way for Lake County to be seen as a travel designation in 2009.”
According to Peters, the Bay Area Travel Show will bring together a diverse selection of professionals representing various aspects of the travel industry. “There are going to be a few attendees who are travel agents, travel writers and those who manage travel Web sites. There will also be people from clubs such as RV and travel clubs and of course the general public. So, anyone interested in traveling in the United States will there and this is an opportunity for Lake County to get its name out there.”
Peters said she”s enlisted the participation of an enthusiastic group of volunteers who will be manning the booth in Santa Clara. “We”re set on volunteers but we do need donations from the community. We will be running an hourly raffle at the booth to encourage attendees to fully check out Lake County information,” Peter said. “We are looking for donations that will inspire people to travel to Lake County.”
Peters suggests donations such as the following items: local wine and accessories, local gift ware, prepackaged walnuts and pear edibles, fishing and sport items, gift certificates, rock hounding items, birding items, framed Lake County photos or art and local lore. “We would like items that showcase Lake County,” she said.
The Lake County Marketing Department contracted with the chamber for participation in this year”s travel show. “The county completed the application. They got a great spot in a corner space and the booth looks fabulous,” Peters said. “The volunteers who will be manning the booth will be showcasing everything fabulous about Lake County: Where to go; what to see and what they can do while they are here visiting our beautiful county.”
The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce aims to increase its membership in 2009. Various membership opportunities are available. Annual dues start at $55 and are adjusted depending upon representation preferences. Membership is open to business professionals as well as individuals, retirees, non-profits and more. For more information regarding membership, or to donate an item for the Bay Area Travel Show, call the chamber at 994-3600.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
