FEBRUARY 4 CONFERENCE ON MARKETING THE HIGH COUNTRY AS A DESTINATION FOR BIRDING

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C.--  Thirty-five percent of Americans say they spend time observing, studying, photographing or identifying wild birds, which is why the North Carolina Birding Trail was developed to link birders and tourists with great birding sites across the state.  In an effort to leverage the resources of the North Carolina Birding Trail to help market the High Country as a destination for birders, High Country Audubon and the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation have organized a workshop designed to help local business people examine the benefits of marketing to birders.

The conference on marketing the NC High Country as a birding destination will be held Thursday, February 4th from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at LaQuinta Inn on the Highway 105 Extension in Boone.  Welcoming business professionals from all sectors of the local economy, the workshop is designed to give a clear picture of the potential return from marketing to birders before opening the floor to participants to brainstorm on the most cost effective ways to attract the birding tourist to our area.

Birders are a valuable market for the tourism industry because they spend money pursuing their interest in wildlife.  A 2006 survey conducted by the NC Bird Trail reported that 72 percent of the birders in North Carolina travel away from their homes to view birds at least 10 days per a year, spending more than $80 per day on travel expenses.

“This is a win/win,” said Grandfather Mountain Marketing Director Catherine Morton.  “One of the most desirable times to visit the High Country for birding is a shoulder season for most of our businesses.  Mid-April to mid-May is when the spring migration brings the greatest numbers of different bird species through our area, which means there is huge potential to bring more birders with them.”

The program includes three authorities on tourism and birding. Dr. Stacy Tomas from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State University will speak on the economic impact of birding and why the High Country should market to birders.  Audubon North Carolina Mountain Program Manager Curtis Smalling will educate the group about the spring bird migration in the NC High Country, and High Country Audubon President Jesse Pope will discuss the needs of the traveling birder, outlining specific action that can be taken to cater to the birding public.

“Reaching this niche audience with our message should be relatively inexpensive,” explained Morton.  “Most bird clubs will run announcements and news releases about the activities and packages we put together that make it more attractive for their members to visit our area for birding.  I think there is potential for any interested business to see a measurable return from marketing to birders.” 

There is no fee to attend the birding conference and participants will have the opportunity to purchase the Mountain Region edition of the NC Birding Trail Guide at a discount.  To reserve a space at the meeting, phone Grandfather Mountain weekdays at 828-733-2013.  For the complete program schedule, visit www.grandfather.com/birding_workshop.