The Travel Writers are Coming!
SADDLING UP FOR SUCCESS:
CODY PREPARES TO IMPRESS THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS
It’s time for Cody to shine. The summer season is quickly approaching and Cody will give a big western welcome to the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) to the area May 30-June 3, 2024. The SATW is a professional organization for some of North America’s top travel writers and influencers. And they are ready to explore the Cody Yellowstone area!
The Western Chapter of SATW has chosen Cody, Wyoming, as their 2024 western conference destination. Travel writers will be out and about the area, with Park County Travel Council arranging the hosting. Having so many professional travel writers enjoying our community will have a lasting impact on the economy for years to come based on this group’s impact on other locations that have hosted them. This is an advertising equivalent estimated at $2.5 million.
Excursions and Western experiences offered to the attendees before and after the conference mean all of Cody will be in the limelight. Travel writers are continually looking for what makes a destination so unique. As we all know, Cody has tons of great Western adventures to choose from
IDEAS TO ROPE IN THE ATTENTION
Your business may catch their eye while they’re here. You can do a few things now to give you the best chance to be in an article to reach hundreds of thousands of people – and help Cody shine in this opportunity to be in the spotlight.
In visiting with Ryan Hauck, executive director of Park County Travel Council, we discussed some ideas that might help:
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- Clean it until it absolutely shines. You’re already getting ready for the summer season – but as you do the regular spring cleaning, keep in mind how well your business will photograph. Take a look at the first impression people get when they walk in.
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- Try taking some social media photos for yourself and work to get the look you’re striving for (and prime the pump for these travel writers who are likely watching for the hashtag #codywyoming).
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- Beef up your social media – starting now. Consistency in posting is the key to success here. There are many great scheduling tools out there to maximize the use of your time and locals to lend a hand if needed. Give those travel writers a good look at where they’re coming to (not to mention the tourists who are also looking).
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- Plan special events, promotions, or demonstrations for the travel writers. Of course, please take a look at their schedule, but trying out a few ideas when they’re here might become something to attract more visitors to your business this summer as well. An artist-in-residence might work for you, or collaborate with another business, such as a pop-up shop. An open house might be a great way to kick off the season.
THE SCHEDULE
While the conference will be from May 30 to June 3, travel writers can arrive up to a week (or more) early and stay afterward. They are set to stay at least for the conference at the Holiday Inn. Take a look at the schedule for the core conference here.
They kick off with a trolly tour of the town that ends with a welcome at the K3 Ranch with stories by Jerry Kincade. From there, they will have conference sessions each morning, followed by full-day or half-day adventures in the area.
By the end of the conference, they will have stockpiled photos and notes ready to share their impressions of Cody Yellowstone with the world.
This article is proudly sponsored by Cody Calendar advertisers
