Cambridge/Guernsey Co. Visitors & Convention Bureau Blog

Ohio Tourism Celebration

2008-05-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau joined more than 70 state-wide tourism partners on the Statehouse lawn in Columbus on May 13 to observe the Ohio Tourism Celebration.

Pictured here are "coal miners" L- Dave Adair and Jake Davis from the Byesville Scenic Railway greeting visitors to the Cambridge/Guernsey County booth.

The day was planned to help launch spring and summer vacation travel in Ohio. Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Lee Fisher were on hand and proclaimed May as Ohio Tourism Month.

Attendees were treated to entertainment, Ohio-made food products, and many interactive and informative displays about Ohio vacation destinations.

To learn more about what Cambridge/Guernsey County has to offer, log on to www.VisitGuernseyCounty.com.

AAA FAM Tour in Guernsey County

2008-04-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center recently hosted 30 Ohio AAA agents overnight as part of a three-day FAM (familarization) tour to three state park lodges operated by Xanterra. While at the lodge, the agents had the opportunity to learn about Guernsey County tourism attractions and participate in fun activities at the lodge.

Pictured with Keith Cook, general manager of the lodge, (left) are two travel agents discussing travel packages AAA members can purchase for Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center.

AAA agents enjoy one of the many hands-on activities at the lodge offered during the FAM Tour. Here they are painting bird houses.

Melanie White, Salt Fork Conference Center sales department (right) enjoys a delicious dinner with several of the AAA agents.

To learn more about Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center, log on to www.SaltForkResort.com.

Senator Joy Padgett Receives Award

2008-04-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Senator Joy Padgett was recognized for her service at the 9th Annual Ohio's Appalachian Country Spotlight on Tourism Travel Show at Ft. Steuben Mall. As the former director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, Senator Padgett was instrumental in forming and finding the necessary funding for OAC, the 29 Appalachian County consortium that focuses on tourism.

Pictured here with the senator is Debbie Robinson, Executive Director of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau.

For more information on OAC, visit http://www.appalachianohio.com/

Appalachian Driving Tour Map Unveiled

2008-04-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Governor's Office of Appalachia Director Fred Deel and Ohio's First Lady Frances Strickland unveiled the Appalachian Driving Tour Map that features the National Road at the 9th Annual Spotlight on Tourism Travel Show at Ft. Steuben Mall recently. The maps are available at the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, 627 Wheeling Avenue in Downtown Cambridge.

For a Guernsey County driving tour brochure of the National Road, contact the VCB at 800-933-5480 or http://www.visitguernseycounty.com/

Community Meeting Creates Excitement Among Attendees

2008-03-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Approximately 25 area volunteers for Guernsey County attractions and organizations held a meeting at the National Museum of Cambridge Glass recently. The meeting was facilitated by Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention executive director, Debbie Robinson.

The group, representing Dickens Victorian Village, Byesville Scenic Railroad, Cambridge Main Street, Guernsey Co. Genealogical Society, Guernsey Co. Historical Museum, the National Museum of Cambridge Glass, Old Cambridge Conservation Assc., the Living Word Outdoor Drama and Cambridge Performing Arts, discussed their common threads, their similar challenges and how they can help each other.

Collectively, the group decided to initially promote each other weekly at an event in Downtown Cambridge and by displaying each other's brochures at their respective attractions.

The next meeting will take place on April 22 at 7pm at the National Museum of Cambridge Glass. Other non-profit organizations or attractions who promote history, utilize volunteers and serve to culturally enrich area residents and visitors are encouraged to attend.

In the meantime, the group has issued a challenge to come up with a catchy name for the group. All ideas are welcome!

For more information, contact Robinson at the VCB 740-432-2022. To learn about more about Guernsey County's attractions, log on to www.VisitGuernseyCounty.com.

Tourism Expo 2008

2008-02-28T05:43:00.000-08:00

On February 25, 2008, the Second Annual Tourism Expo was held at the University Center at Kent State University Stark Campus. The expo combined an educational format with a small trade show environment. Sixteen educational sessions were offered to tourism industry participants from Tuscarawas, Wayne, Carroll, Coshocton, Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina and Holmes Counties.

Debbie Robinson, executive director of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, Marty Starkey, executive director of the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Glenda Lehman Ervin, vice president of marketing at Lehman's presented a panel discussion to the participants on cooperative marketing. Using examples in their communities of good marketing practices, the panelists explored a vast array of opportunities for cooperative marketing and cutting edge trends for cross promotional ideas that work.

Pictured here are L-Starkey, Ervin and Robinson.

To learn more, log on to http://www.visitguernseycounty.com/, http://www.waynecountycvb.org/.org and http://www.lehmans.com/.

Marketing & Hospitality Teachers in Cambridge

2008-02-22T13:50:00.000-08:00

On Friday, February 22nd, Dee Sturgill, Marketing Education Consultant for the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), led a pre-conference field trip to Cambridge for marketing & hospitality high school teachers. Planned by Toni Keller, marketing and communications manager at the Wilds, the day was spent exploring marketing trends, real world applications and the economic impact of tourism.

Speakers included Toni Kellar, Buddy Butler, account director for Stonewall Marketing, Debbie Robinson, executive director of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, and Jonett Haberfield, owner of A Taste of Ohio who presented a program on the history of Dickens Victorian Village.

Picture here are L-Kellar, Haberfield, Sturgill, Robinson, and Butler. To learn more about ODE, visit http://www.ode.state.oh.us/.

Glass Pass Consortium Meets at Fenton

2008-02-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Members of the Glass Pass consortium comprised of 11 glass museums and factories in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania held their quarterly meeting recently at Fenton Glass Factory and Gift Shop in Williamstown, West Virginia. The consortium is planning to launch a Glass Pass website in 2008.

Pictured here are L - Dawn Beasley, Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, Dean Six, The West Virginia Museum of American Glass, Ltd. in Weston, WV and site of the July 2008 Glass Pass meeting, and Debbie Robinson, Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB.

To learn more about Fenton Glass, visit http://www.fentonartglass.com/.

Experiential Tourism Discussed at OAC Meeting

2008-02-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Ohio's Appalachian Country (OAC) recently gathered at the Ohio Historical Society for their quarterly meeting. Comprised of the 29 Appalachian Counties in Ohio, OAC exists to promote tourism and to market the region to visitors.

During the meeting, Amy Tatman, Tourism Sales Manager for Experience Columbus, shared with OAC members information on experiential tourism, what exactly it is, and tips on how to create packages and then market them. She also shared examples of group tour experiential packages that she and her tourism partners created for Columbus.

Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism's director, Amir Eylon and the Governor's Office of Appalachia's director, Fred Deel, were also on hand during the meeting.

Taking part in the meeting were L - Toni Kellar, the Wilds, Mark Holbrook - Ohio Historical Society and host for the meeting, Amy Tatman, Shauna Hearing and Debbie Robinson - Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau.

For information on Ohio's Appalachian Country, visit http://www.appalachianohio.com/tourism. To learn more about Experience Columbus and their experiential group tour packages, go to http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/.

Heini's Gourmet Market Holds Grand Opening

2008-01-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

Located in Sugar Creek, Heini's Gourmet Market featuring local artisan food, recently held its grand opening that included a ribbon cutting. The 4,000-square-foot market owned by the Dauwalder family celebrates all-Ohio gourmet food including well-know Heini's Cheese.

Adding to the exciting atmosphere is a test kitchen for cooking demonstrations and live music on select afternoons from 1pm-3pm featuring local musicians.

Cambridge native and owner of "A Taste of Ohio" Jonett Haberfield, partnered with the Troyers to bring Ohio foods into the market that range from coffee, jellies, sauces, spices and pastas, just to name a few. Samples are available daily helping to create a culinary experience for visitors.

Jonett is pictured here with Amir Eylon, State Tourism Director for the Division of Travel & Tourism who took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

To learn more about Heini's Gourmet Market, visit http://www.heinisgourmetmarket.com/.

Also on hand for the occasion are area Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Directors L- Debbie Robinson, Cambridge/Guernsey County; John Kiste, Canton/Stark County; Amir Eylon; Amy Rutledge, Carroll County; Shasta Mast, Holmes County and Dee Grossman-Tasker, Tuscarawas.

Director of Local History Office Addresses Historical Society

2008-01-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

J.D. Britton, Director of the Local History Office of the Ohio Historical Society, was in Cambridge recently to address members of the Guernsey County Historical Society during their January trustee meeting. Other organizations were invited to attend as well. Members of the Guernsey Genealogical Society and the National Museum of Cambridge Glass were also on hand to hear Britton's presentation on how to capture volunteers and engage visitors.

After a lively and informative discussion, two issues came to the forefront: the historical society needs to develop a strategic plan and there is a common thread among the historical organizations and museums in Guernsey County. All present agreed that the organizations should meet to discuss their commonalities, shared goals and resources.

As a result, a community organizational meeting was set for Tuesday, March 25 at 7pm at the National Museum of Cambridge Glass 136 South 9th Street in Cambridge. Organizations such as the OCCA, CPAC, Cambridge Main Street and Dickens Victorian Village are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Diane Krall 432-7843 or Paula Murphy 432-7554.

J.D. Britton, seated, is pictured with trustees of the Guernsey County Historical Society L: Madelyn Joseph, Mary Jane Downerd, and Paula Murphy.

John & Annie Glenn Say Thank You

2007-12-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

On December 6, the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site hosted a Thank You Luncheon for benefactors of and volunteers for the attraction at the Cambridge Country Club. Two Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau staff members were in attendance.

The highlight of the luncheon was a personal thank you from John and Annie Glenn. Seen here are the Senator and Mrs. Glenn with the 2007 volunteers.

To learn more about the historic site, log onto www.johnglennhome.org.

ONN Comes to Town

2007-12-17T08:47:00.001-08:00

On December 12, Stephanie Mennecke, reporter for the Ohio News Network and an ONN videographer, spent some time in downtown Cambridge reporting on the Dickens Victorian Village. Here they are seen interviewing a tourist who is enjoying the self-guided Dickens Walking Tour that includes descriptions of all 60 displays.

To see the entire interview, log on to www.ohionewsnow.com.

Middleburg Heights AARP Enjoys Dickens Victorian Village

2007-12-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

On December 5, 47 members of the Middleburg Heights AARP spent a day in Guernsey County enjoying the Dickens Victorian Village displays in downtown Cambridge. They also took the "Spirit of Christmas" Train ride on the Byesville Scenic Railway, ate lunch at Theo's Restaurant, and participated in a Tea and Tour at Colonel Taylor Inn.

Here they are enjoying Sundae provided by A Taste of Ohio at the Tourist Information Center in downtown Cambridge.

Cambridge Main Street Attends 11th Annual Heritage Ohio Announcement Ceremony

2007-12-17T06:39:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, December 13, Fran Taylor, executive director of Cambridge Main Street; Larry Miller, board president and Debbie Robinson, board member traveled to the Ohio Statehouse for Heritage Ohio's Announcement Ceremony. Director Joyce Barrett presented four new Main Street Communities: Defiance, Medina, Perrysburg, Ripley and Warren. Karen Fabiano of the Ohio Department of Development awarded 6 CDBG Grants to Byran, Defiance, Ironton, Leipsic, Orrville and Van Wert. Other Main Street Communities were recognized for their five-year commitment to the Main Street Program. In 2008, Cambridge Main Street will be recognized for their Main Street designation.

To learn more about Cambridge Main Street, log on to http://www.downtowncambridge.com/

Robinson Attends Ohio Travel Association's Board of Directors Retreat

2007-12-07T11:34:00.001-08:00

Debbie Robinson, Executive Director of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau recently took part in a board of directors retreat at Cherry Valley Lodge for the Ohio Travel Association. Robinson was recently elected secretary of the travel and tourism association and in 2010 will serve as their president.

Facilitating the retreat was Bonnie Brannigan of Spark Strategy Group from Dublin, Ohio. Pictured here is OTA's executive director, Marc McQuaid, who exhibits his good nature while participating in an excercise during the retreat.

To learn more about the Ohio Travel Association and the services it provides, visit http://www.ohiotravel.org/.

FAM Tour in Cambridge for Dickens Experience

2007-12-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

Tour operators from Ohio and Kentucky spent two days and one night it Cambridge and Guernsey County as part of the Victorian Holidays in Ohio's Appalachian Country Familiarization Tour in December. The Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau partnered with both Tuscarawas County and Marietta CVB's to bring the thirteen tour operators to our area.

After spending the first day and night in Marietta, the operators first toured the Colonel Taylor Inn where they enjoyed tea and cookies upon their arrival in Cambridge. Next they had a delicious barbecue lunch at the Dancing Donkey Restaurant in Buffalo. Afterwards, they took the Byseville Scenic Railway train ride and learned how coal miners and their families celebrated the holiday season at the turn of the century.

They were able to spend several hours in downtown Cambridge viewing the Dickens scenes , shopping, and enjoying hot coffee at De'Brooke Aroma. Here several of them make a holiday wreath pin at the Eastern Ohio Art Guild.

In the evening, they ate dinner at the Holiday Inn Parkway Restaurant and were thrilled meet actors from the Living Word Outdoor Drama who performed several scenes from the only Passion Play in the state of Ohio.

They ended the evening by watching the Cambridge Performing Art Center's presentation of "A Christmas Carol."

Before leaving Cambridge the next morning to go to Tuscarawas County, they toured the National Museum of Cambridge Glass.

To learn more about Dickens Victorian Village, go to www.DickensVictorianVillage.com.

Tri-County FAM Tour

2007-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

On November 29 - December 3, three area destinations hosted a FAM (Familiarization) Tour for 13 tour operators from Ohio and Kentucky. Entitled "Victorian Holidays in Ohio's Appalachian Country," the tour highlighted holiday activities in Marietta/Washington County, Cambridge/Guernsey County and Tuscarawas County for group tours.

The tour began at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg on Thursday evening. After touring the Marietta/Washington County area, the group will spend a day and one night in Cambridge/Guernsey County visiting several attractions. The tour will conclude in Tuscarawas County on Monday.

Pictured here is staff from each of the three destinations. Front Row - L - Tiffany Gerber, Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau ; Debbie Robinson and Dawn Beasley, Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau. Back Row - L - Kelly Blazosky and Christina Thrasher, Marietta/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Shauna Hearing, Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB and Donna McKnight, Marietta Washington County CVB.

To learn more about each of these destinations, log onto Marietta/Washington County - http://www.mariettaohio.org/; Tuscarawas County - http://www.ohiotimelesadventures.com/; or Cambridge/Guernsey County - http://www.visitguernseycounty.com/.

Glass Pass Consortium Meets During Dickens Victoran Village

2007-11-20T06:16:00.000-08:00

Members of the Glass Pass consortium met in Cambridge recently for their quarterly meeting.

The Glass Pass is a partnership of glass museums and companies whose goal is to enlighten and encourage individuals to further explore the rich heritage and artistry of glassmaking and collecting throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

After their lunch and meeting, which took place at Theo's Restaurant, members walked to the National Museum of Cambridge Glass while observing the Dickens Victorian Village scenes along the way. Once at the museum, NCC members shared with them "Partnerships that Work," including information on "A Dash through the Past" and NCC's involvement with the Dickens project.

In this photo, museum docent Sandy Rohrbough, in her Victorian costume, talks with Glass Pass partners Ron and Norma Hufford from the Fostoria Glass Museum in Moundsville, WV. To learn more about the Glass Pass, log on to http://www.visitguernseycounty.com/ and request a Glass Pass brochure.

Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB Attends OACVB Event

2007-11-20T06:13:00.001-08:00

The Ohio Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (OACVB) held its 6th Annual President's Luncheon recently at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe in Columbus. Debbie Robinson, executive director of the VCB and Toni Kellar, president of the VCB Board of Directors attended the luncheon.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the coveted Don Patterson Award which was given to Dee Grossman-Tasker, executive director of the Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Shown here are L- Robinson and Grossman-Tasker, who has been a mentor to and a friend of Robinson's since 1999 when Robinson first began her career in travel & tourism in Guernsey County. The OACVB's mission serves to advance the value and influence of and investment in, Ohio's convention and visitor bureaus.

VCB Staff Attends OAC Quarterly Meeting

2007-11-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

Debbie Robinson, executive director of Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau along with Shauna Hearing, information manager for the VCB, traveled to Greenfield, Ohio in Highland County for Ohio's Appalachian Country quarterly meeting on November 8. Of note, as of this most recent meeting, OAC has now held their quarterly meeting in all 29 Appalachian Counties.

Members of the Greenfield Historical Society hosted the event. After the business luncheon, Participants learned about the Highland Sanctuary and took part in a panel discussion on Cultural & Heritage tourism: Challenges & Responsibilities.

Pictured here is Shauna Hearing in front of the beautiful Greenfield Historical Museum.
To learn more about Ohio's Appalachian Country, log on to www.AppalachianOhio.com/tourism.

Great Expectations Chocolate Walk a Great Success

2007-11-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

Approximately 200 people participated in the Dickens Victorian Village inaugural event on Wednesday, November 7 to officially kick off the second year of Dickens Victorian Village! Twenty-eight downtown businesses took part in what was affectionately dubbed as "trick or treating for adults.

The chocolate fountain provided at Peoples Bank was a real crowd-pleaser.
For more information on Dickens events, go to http://www.dickensvictorianvillage.com/.

New Dickens Event Promoted During PLCC's Broadway Show

2007-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

During the most recent Broadway Show at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, members of the Dickens Victorian Village committee had an opportunity to meet and talk with attendees before and after "Stay Tuned" about the newest Dickens event, Dickens Evensong Service & Feast.

Shown here are L- Debbie Robinson, Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau executive director, Fran Taylor, Cambridge Main Street executive director and Jonett Haberfield, co-chair of the Dickens committee with their booth.

The Dickens Evensong Service & Feast will be held on Saturday, December 8. Beginning at 5:30pm at St. John's Episcopal Church, the Evensong Service will take place followed by a processional and dinner at Unity Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the Attic Trunk and the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce, both located in Downtown Cambridge.

For more detailed information on this event and all Dickens events, log on to http://www.dickensvictorianvillage.com/

State Tourism Director in Cambridge

2007-10-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

The newly appointed director of the Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism, Amir Eylon, spoke to 30 Team Tourism members during their quarterly meeting at Theo's Restaurant on October 29. Director Eylon shared the latest in Division updates on the status of programs, the direction of the direction of the Division and their current short-term plans. He also emphasized the importance partnerships within the tourism industry and making use of the free resources the Division has to offer.

Shown here with Director Eylon are L - Debbie Robinson, Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitor & Convention Bureau executive director; Shauna Hearing, VCB information manager, and Dawn Beasley, VCB office manager.

For more information on the Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism, log onto www.DiscoverOhio.com.

Chocolate and Shopping

2007-10-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

Dickens Victorian Village's newest event had a presence at "A Taste of the Seasons" held at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center recently. 550 people attended this very popular cooking show sponsored by the Daily Jeffersonian and Riesbeck's Grocery Store.

Great Expectations Chocolate Walk will take place in Historic Downtown Cambridge on Wednesday, November 7 from 6pm - 8pm. Only 200 tickets will be sold at $10 each. They are available for purchase at Country Bits & Pieces and Peoples Bank - Main Office.

Exchange your ticket on the evening of the event at Peoples Bank - Main Office for a Dickens Victorian Village bag and walking tour brochure that will direct you to participating merchants, where you will receive one chocolate experience at each location - perhaps it will be a serving of hot chocolate, or a brownie, or a chocolate cordial. Enjoy some on the walk, or place some in your souvenir bag to enjoy later.

Pictured here are L - Pam McCauley, Dickens Committee Treasurer and Jonett Haberfield, Dickens Committee Co-Chair as they prepare to hand out chocolate samples and fliers on the Chocolate Walk event from their booth. (Image to be added at a later date)

To find out more about all of the events taking place during Dickens Victorian Village November 5, 2007 - January 21, 2008, log on to http://www.dickensvictorianvillage.com/.