Tourism business is strong in Coshocton
Frontline staff of Coshocton Village Inn & Suites toured the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum. Pictured are: Jackie Smith, Coshocton Village Inn Guest Services; Crislyn Freetage, Coshocton Village Inn Guest Services; Jennifer Sigman, general manager Coshocton Village inn & Suites; Patti Malenke, director of Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum; Leslie Griley, Coshocton Village Inn Guest Services; Athan Vlahos, Nikkos Limousine and Shuttle; Kay Davis, Coshocton Village Inn Continental Breakfast Supervisor.
COSHOCTON – National Tourism Week is May 2-10, and Coshocton County can be proud of its more than $50 million per year tourism industry. Coshocton County is truly blessed to have so many positive amenities that attract thousands of visitors to the area annually.
“Have you ever heard anyone who lives here say ‘there’s nothing to do in Coshocton?'” asked Jan Myers, director of the Coshocton Visitors Bureau. “I would challenge anyone who feels that way to spend just one day in our office and try to keep up with all the events, attractions, outdoor activities, and entertainment we have to promote in our county.”
In an effort to share information with the employees who interact the most with our visitors, the Coshocton Visitors Bureau recently hosted a tour with Coshocton Village Inn & Suites with their front desk staff taking them to many of the county’s major attractions.
“Our frontline employees are the ones who deal most directly with all of our visitors,” Myers said, “and it’s important that they are able to answer questions and share accurate information about all the Coshocton area has to offer.”
On the recent Coshocton familiarization tour (FAM tour), Myers along with Mindy Brems, office manager for the Coshocton Visitors Bureau and Jennifer Sigman, general manager of Coshocton Village Inn & Suites, hired Nikko’s Shuttle, owned and driven by Athan Vlahos, to transport the group throughout Coshocton County. Also on the trip were Coshocton Village Inn Guest Services staff members Jackie Smith, Leslie Griley, and Crislyn Freetage; and Coshocton Village Inn Continental Breakfast Supervisor Kay Davis.
Smith has been with Coshocton Village Inn for the past year, but has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry most of her life. Freetage has been with Coshocton Village Inn for just over a month. Griley has been with the hotel for nearly two years, but has worked in the tourism industry most of her life including seven years at Roscoe Village Inn, some waitressing and fast food employment. Davis has worked at Coshocton Village Inn for five years and prior to that she spent a number of years in the tourism industry at other lodging establishments and fast food.
The tour took the group on a driving tour past the Coshocton Courthouse, Annin Flagmakers, by several area restaurants, and Clary Gardens. They had a brief overview tour at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum where they got to see items such as the American Indian basketry, Asian treasures, and the Newark Holy Stones that bring visitors from all over the world. They then visited the Roscoe Village Visitor Center where they saw an overview film about all Roscoe Village has to offer guests, saw the many displays and lock model in the exhibit hall, and did some hands-on crafts.
They also had an abbreviated tour of the Roscoe Village history buildings including the Print Shop, the Doctors Office and the Doctors House.
“While they were in Roscoe Village we also showed them around the Coshocton Visitors Bureau and Annin Flagmakers Showroom where we have maps and all kinds of visitor information along with the flags and decorations for sale from Annin Flagmakers,” Myers said.
The group then headed out into the county where they visited Raven’s Glenn Winery, drove by the Old Stone Fort and River Greens Golf Course, stopped at Rainbow Hills Winery and Yellow Butterfly Winery.
“We then went back by Unusual Junction, stopped at Pearl Valley Cheese, past the airport, Missionary Maintenance Service, the Airport Amphitheater, Lake Park and the Canal Boat, before heading out to Gospel Hill Lighthouse and Heritage Vineyard Winery,” Myers said. “It was a very long, full day because there are just so many things to see and do in Coshocton and we couldn’t possibly do everything in the eight hours we had. As we were driving we also shared lots more information and heard from the frontline staff the kinds of questions they get from our visitors so we could give them the tools they need to confidently answer the inquiries.”
At the conclusion of the tour, Myers asked the group what they enjoyed the most. Griley said she was surprised at how big Coshocton County really is and at how many things there are to do here. She especially enjoyed the experience at Roscoe Village. Davis also enjoyed Roscoe Village and the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum. Sigman was impressed with the quality of the collections at the museum. Freetage also especially enjoyed Roscoe Village and the museum, and shared that even though she has lived here her entire life, she didn’t realize all there was in Coshocton County.
“I know I will feel more confident talking with our hotel guests now that I’ve actually been to many of these attractions,” Griley said. “I’m anxious to be able to share with them all there is to do in Coshocton County.”
“We would love to help other frontline employees learn more about all that Coshocton has to offer,” Myers said. “If there are other businesses or groups out there who are interested in exploring this they can contact us for information.”
Why is it so important for frontline staff to be competent and confident in dealing with visitors? In a recent Coshocton Tourism Industry Partner meeting guest speaker, Melinda Huntley, executive director of the Ohio Travel Association, stated that the frontline staff is so important since they are actually the business’s “brand.” “Frontline employees are the face and voice of the attraction, restaurant, hotel, etc.,” Huntley said.
For information about Coshocton tourism, events, maps, or Annin Flags, contact the Coshocton Visitors Bureau at 740-622-4877 or visit the website at visitcoshocton.com.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
