Tourism generates money, notoriety
ZELIENOPLE — It's been nine years since the founding of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau — nine years to get the right personnel, to get the bylaws so they work and to get the board members united in the mission to promote the county to visitors and residents.
Started in 2001 and funded with a tax on all hotel beds in the county, the bureau has done a lot to draw attention such as advertising, attending trade shows and calling on international visitors.
Now, Jack Cohen, the bureau's executive director, said the organization is starting to make a name for itself in attracting groups and events, which in turn generate millions of dollars for businesses.
"We are now starting to attract those big conferences and conventions to the county," Cohen said.
What's coming?The variety of events and groups coming to use the county's hotel rooms, eat in its restaurants and visit its sights are eclectic, to say the least.In July, Cohen said, the county will host the International Game Warden's Association, with game wardens from around the globe coming to Cranberry Township for lodging in more than 875 hotel rooms for the six-night convention."That's more than $2 million coming into the hotels, restaurants and shops," Cohen said.While association members will be staying in Cranberry Township, the group was attracted to Moraine State Park, which is just about 20 minutes north on Interstate 79, for staging outdoor events and training important to game wardens."They had originally looked at the Laurel Highlands, but we have more for them to do, more for spouses or children who may come with them to do, like exploring Butler County or traveling down to see Pittsburgh," Cohen said.Next year, the county will host the Pennsylvania Bowling Association's State Tournament. "That's an eight-week event, with play at the Freeway Lanes in Zelienople and the Family Bowlaway in Butler," Cohen said.Expected revenue from the event is about $3 million.Then comes 2013 and a busy week in August with Cooper's Lake Campground hosting the Pyrotechnics Guild International's annual convention.The Pyrotechnics Guild is a worldwide nonprofit organization of 3,500 amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts.The event will be Aug. 12 to 16 at Cooper's Lake in Slippery Rock Township across Interstate 79 from Moraine State Park. It is expected to generate $4.5 million in revenue in the area, Cohen said.Each night will feature fireworks displays from various groups and businesses hoping to get a contract for fireworks shows across the nation.At the same time, the North Country Trail's National Convention is going to be in Slippery Rock with trail volunteers from across the country coming to the county for hikes and conservation training."They asked to come that week because they want to see the fireworks, too," Cohen said.
While the county's dance card is filling up, like a pretty girl at a ballroom party, Cohen admits there are some stumbling blocks forcing the bureau to make some changes.Last fall's 100-plus day delay in the passage of the 2009-10 state budget and expected revenue shortfall affected the entire state government, from social service agencies that didn't have staffs or money for their clients to agencies such as the bureau or a sister agency, Pittsburgh & Its Countryside, which watched as their marketing funds evaporated."Pittsburgh & Its Countryside went from a budget of $1.3 million to $121,000 this year," Cohen said. "And we've already been told to expect an additional 60 percent cut in these already cut funds for next year."He said the problem is that without money to promote the state or county, there is a loss in revenue that comes from outside the region, which helps boost the economic base.One step the tourism bureau's board is taking is to establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the agency so the bureau can apply for more grants and other funding available only to nonprofits."We are looking for funds to help us provide education and training for our members, to help them become better at what they do for visitors to Butler County," Cohen said.<b>What else is new?</b>The biggest new event being organized for the county is next year's first Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler, the birthplace of the Jeep."It's something that should have been done a long time ago, and we're just getting started with it," Cohen said.The festival will include camping and four-wheeling events, as well as a parade of all Jeeps on Main Street.The Butler County Historical Society, Downtown Butler, the Rotary Club and other groups and individuals are working to bring the event together, Cohen said."Butler County has so many things to offer both the residents and visitors, and we are working to bring them all together for both the promotion of the county, as well as to help build Butler County economically," Cohen said.
These are the members of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau Board of Directors:• Wayne Conley, chairman, owner of Conley Resort in Penn Township;• Bob McCafferty, vice chairman, owner of North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock;• Kathy Allen, secretary, co-owner of Armstrong Farms Bed and Breakfast in Clinton Township;• Ed Tanski, treasurer, co-owner of Buttercup Woodlands Campground in Renfrew;• Larry Berg, retired radio personality, of Butler;• Nicolette Tolomeo Germain, owner of Nicolette's Tailor Shop & Specialty Gifts in Portersville;• Ed Wethli, owner of Kiva Han Coffee in Cranberry Township; and• James Zanella, marketing director and promotional manager for the North Washington Rodeo in North Washington.
