Otsego county tourism

Visitor Economy Summit a Step Forward

By CASSANDRA HARRINGTON

Many businesses and residents in both Otsego and Schoharie counties are unaware of the services provided by Destination Marketing Corporation, the nonprofit organization contracted by both county governments to promote tourism, using occupancy tax revenue generated the year prior. They’re responsible for stewarding the brands “This is Cooperstown” and “Visit Schoharie County.” Public awareness has been one of the organization’s largest barriers to success. It was growing increasingly evident that something had to be done to unite the community around these efforts.

The phrase “help us help you” was uttered all too often among team DMC. Staff dreamt of getting “everyone” in a room to not only introduce DMC, but to generate awareness among residents about the effects of the visitor economy. Early in 2022—with the help of my team of two and Board Member Marcy Birch of Barnyard Swing—the outline for November 17’s Visitor Economy Summit and Community Roundtable at The Otesaga Resort Hotel began to take shape.