Where We Live: Putting Connecticut Back On The Map

That post is really

That post is really ridiculous and not very appropriate

back to ct

Connecticut has many diverse communities that can offer something different for everyone. If you really want to boost the economy in CT, you need to dig deep and get down to the streets to see what people are doing. Many of the communities offer free events, lectures and activities for people of all ages. If you want to draw people into Connecticut you can leverage these groups to get the word out if your efforts and objectives match their needs.

New tourism slogan, Come to

New tourism slogan, Come to Connecticut, a great place to get raped, murdered, educate your illegal aliens, and get taxed to death.

touring this summer

I'd love to come to CT for part of my summer vacation. I'm tired of hot Long Island beaches and would love to be where there are lots of trees, maybe a lake and some interesting historical/art/architectural sites to explore. A nice B&B (altho that tax rate scares me!) would add the perfect touch. Where do I start to help that
vision of a relaxing week in CT become a reality?
Thanks

Listener Email from Kate

Having just run into a huge family group visiting Connecticut roots, it seems to me that some niche advertising on Ancestry.com with links to CT resources and packaging tours. In my own case, I have deep ancestry all over the state and have done some of the "touring." I live here, so not much gets added to tourism, but there are obviously many, many others who don't.

Listener Email from Jon

I think a regional strategy is worth considering. For example, you can think about and advertise the Northwest Corner (Litchfield County+) as something like "Better than the Berkshires" (because it's closer) or "Vermont in your backyard" aimed at New Yorkers. When I talk to people from Vermont they are always shocked at being in the Northwest Corner because it is SO rural and so close to New York. You're not going to get New Yorkers to come to CT for food (unless it's on the farm) or museums - they have plenty of that there in NYC.

Note that you will need to coordinate your planning with other parts of the government to make sure the most pristine part of the state isn't destroyed by bad development like wind farms - the show's host will be able to help you with that.

Listener Email from Heather

CT doesn't need dollars pumped into forgettable ad campaigns. What CT tourism needs is money put into cleaning up the beaches and park systems - resources we already have that need attention. The park system website is old and out of date. What we need is real research put into the parks and clear downloadable maps. Also a focus needs to be put on fostering and creating small businesses. People don't travel to shop at stores they could shop at back home, and CT is full of towns converted into strip malls.

Listener Email from Sarah

As a tourism professional and one who has been lucky enough to maintain a level of sales for my company, and the region and the state when appropriate, I have come the see that CT Has It All.

We are the gateway to New England from NY. Potential visitors are shocked to learn you can be in CT one hour out of JFK.

And as you noted earlier, we MUST drop the boundaries and partner.....partner with RI and MA, partner public and private, partner "competing" businesses.

We are the gem between two internationally known cities. Let's capitalize on it.

Listener Email from Kay

I think what made the I Love NY campaign succeed, among other things, was the simple, catchy tune attached to the theme. Once a slogan is chosen (I did like your listener's suggestion of "Captivating CT") how about a contest for CT singers and bands, to submit recorded versions?

Listener Email from Dave

"Connecticut: The Whole Package"

I agree that we have everything, from mountainous areas, to forest areas, to beaches, and cities.

Listener Email from Mary

Investing in the river activities, and healthy rivers can directly translate into bringing conference to Hartford. River people are fabulous because they take a day off for local field trips organized by local non-profits.

The orientation of Culture and Tourism can shape the orientation state.
Finding the finer grain details of Connecticut, zooming in on what is exists when people get off the highways is an excellent aspiration.

Listener Email from Alicia

The heart of tourism is hospitality and CT needs to ramp up in that area. I am not from here, but in the 4 years I have lived here I have traveled the state and found people to often be unfriendly. This is the kiss of death in the service sector. A smile, a friendly greeting, and a thank you go a long way in making people feel welcomed and valued. And maybe if folks in CT learn to be nice to the tourists it will spill over into being nice to their neighbors. And wouldn’t that improve everyone’s life?

Listener Email from Jane

I was listening to your program this morning regarding tourism ideas for our state. I think the woman who remarked on the wealth of offerings here that appeal to all demographics is a good one to capitalize on.

I suggest setting aside certain weeks in the summer to offer discounts to attract various demographics. For example, a week for families and children, where special discounts would be available for events that would appeal to this group; a week for young singles, where special events , etc. would be available for singles; a week aimed at seniors, with discounts, special events , etc. aimed at this group, etc. The idea would be to introduce people to the history, arts, culture, recreation, theatre, restaurants, etc. and also offer an opportunity for community.

A slogan that captures Connecticu't's appeal to people of all ages...such as "Connecticut for All Ages" or "Connecticut - a Whole Life Experience", or "Connecticut Through the Ages" might work

Listener Email from Steven

Thanks John for the show...Playing off are lost PR image and CT being full of "the paths less traveled":

Theme "CT - Lost and Found" : A place where you can peddle, paddle and drive away and back again.

One image:The Connecticut Yankee peddler (the lost on the New Haven Canal) being passed by a Yankee fan and his/her family (from CT) peddling down the East Coast Greenway (the found)...same path...lost and found

Second thought: Encourage high school juniors and their parents to travel through CT and visit the colleges as part of the school search. Boston has a vibrant college age and post college population.

Finally, Kip could get some great ideas from a town meeting style outreach, much like your show. This seemed to be a successful way for the governor to meet and greet the populace. Also, a program for school kids to participate in. Kids could research and promote their 169 towns forming a patchwork of things for kids and their family to do in CT much like a quilt....a Connectiquilt

Listener Email from Bill

I started listening late in the show, but I had an idea for the Middletown to Essex area. Train tracks that a rarely used run from Middletown down to Essex. I would like to see the section of tracks for Haddam to Middletown converted to a bike path and have a contiuation along side the steam train tracks all the way to Essex.. Who wouldn't like to ride their bikes for 15 miles along the CT River.
Furthermore, the large parking area for the cruise ships across from the Goodspeed Opera House could be expand and used for an annual Theater festival like the Shakespeare Festivals in other states. This could include the use of the cruise ships and the Essex Steam Train. I would also look into expanding the East Haddam airport so more planes from New York and Boston could fly in.