Tourism

Make this one a sensational summer

Bigger. Better. Busier. What are your plans to make this summer the best one for your business?

Think tourism, and how you can make a visitor's experience here more memorable. We all know that tourism is part of our economic foundation, but the numbers that prove it are truly mind-boggling. As reported at the recent Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau Annual Business Meeting (and appearing soon on a billboard near you), tourism's economic impact on the Pikes Peak Region breaks down like this:

            · $1.3 billion per year

            · $3.1 million per day

            · $129,000 per hour

            · $2100 per minute

            · $36 per second

Colorado Senator Al White, who serves as director of the Colorado Tourism Office, spoke at the meeting. He emphasized that while the state is known for its outdoor and athletic attractions, diversifying appeal will increasingly attract others who may be equally interested in activities that provide a vigorous cultural or intellectual workout. Think arts, energy, geology and history. So while you're planning how to tap into the Women's Open (http://www.usga.org/ChampEventSite.aspx?id=2147487117) and USA Pro Cycling Challenge (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/) crowds, consider that some of them might love a Rocky Mountain cooking class, a gallery talk, or perhaps a local-ingredients-only meal. What twist will you put on your offerings?

Tourism a deux

Sunset Magazineshowcases Downtown CS
  

Just in time for our biggest tourism season, Sunset Magazine has featured "one perfect day" in Downtown Colorado Springs in its current May issue. Check it out at http://www.sunset.com/travel/rockies/colorado-springs-day-trip-00418000071661/.

Tools you can use

Is social media in your marketing mix?

You've heard it before and you'll hear it again: if your business isn't tapping into Facebook, Twitter, Yelp and the like, you're at a disadvantage. You know you should, but you don't know how or which or when.  Thanks to a recent short workshop sponsored by the BID, some local retailers got a quick introduction to social media and ideas on how to jumpstart or expand their efforts. The April 27^th 90-minute introductory session was led by technology teacher and coach Tucker Wannamaker.

Response to the workshop was so positive, that we're now planning a second, more in depth session on social media. Stay tuned for details and let us know if you'd be interested in attending. Email deniseschall@downtowncs.com or call us at 886-0088.

 Can you guess?

Downtown Puzzler

Cozy. Crafty. Colorful. These cleverly clad trunks broadcast everything that's unique about Downtown.  Where are they?

Making the A-list

Downtown hits big on "Best of the Springs"

Puzzled no more

We've got answers

You'll find these beauties next to First Congregational Church, at 20 E. St. Vrain.

Apparently a contemplative knitting group at the church was inspired by the book, Yarn Bombing: the Art of Yarn and Knit Graffiti, and took up the challenge. Being a peaceful bunch, they opted to reference their creations as yarn-hugging or tree-hugging.  We think of them as tree sweaters!

Do you suppose they have a summer wardrobe in the works?

Fix it

Spotted a pothole problem?

The Pothole Push has begun. The City's Street Division filled 3,579 potholes between April 4 and April 26, decreasing its response time from five to two weeks or less. Potholes are prioritized by location, so those in the wheel path of highly traveled roads get fixed first.

Any Downtown tire-beaters bogging you down? Report them via any of the following methods:

· Call 385-ROAD

· Email streetdivision@springsgov.com

· Submit online request via www.springsgov.com and clicking on left side "Citizen Request"

· Download an iPhone app from www.springsgov.com -- click on the phone

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For more information, contact Mary Scott at 719-385-5248.

Save the date

Blues under the Bridge

July 16, 2011. 1 p.m. 218 W. Colorado "under the bridge" of course.

This year's fabulous musical lineup includes Holmes Brothers, Otis Taylor, Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys, Eden Brent, Colorado Springs Conservatory Blues Band, Gospel Workshop of America, and Broadmoor Academy of Music.

To purchase tickets, get directions, keep abreast of performance additions and just otherwise stay clued in, visit www.bluesunderthebridge.com.