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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1999-04-07, Page 11THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Ape11 7, 1989`11 Little things can make a difference in tourism Dublin's Melady teaches how a smile and handshake are important • at tourism association's brochure swap BY SCOTT HILGENDORFF Expositor Editor Dressed in cow -print clothing. Dublin's Tom Melady tried to show the - _ Huron Tourism Association how. far little difference can take them when promoting their business and serving their -customers. "As you -go through the tourism industry. there are some things .you can. do to calch'attention," he said. 'About. 119 association members were at Seaforth and District Community Centres for the annual brochure swap. It was a chance for the `-tourism• industry to network. share. brochures for display and to -listen to speakers on a range of ',topics to help them promote tourism!. Melady shared with the :group three. simple things that •would leave lasting ilnipressions. The first was getting to know the person's name. "It builds confidence. It builds self-estecin It. gets their attention." he said. He gave them an unuseal technique for remembering the name"hy repeating it. taking note of thc impression they get from the person and then creatin'g a "silly, mental. image of that impression. • "The sillier and the -goofier •you make things in (top) Tom Melady shows how the little things can make a- difference while (bottom) Seaforth administrative assistant Jane Taylor speaks with Goderich tourism director Bob Marshall at the Huron Tourism Association's brochure swap held at the Seaforth and District Communitjr Centres on March 31. your mind.: the more possibility of.remctnhcring their dame," he said. He recorninendcd repeating"the person's name three times in their first' conversation. making the person feel'coml'ortahIe while helping ensure the name is stored in memory.. He also told them of the importance of a handshake. HILGENDORFF PHOTOS "Never underestimate the power of touch," he said, stressing that body language is one of the main forms of communication.. "Fifty-five per cent of communication, is non- -verbal," he said; adding every corftact made with the person increases the rapport between each other. "That can he done with a handshake," he said. Not the "wet rag" or "sumo wrestler," as he called the two extremes in hand shaking; a limp shake where the person barely makes contact or a squeeze so hard the person can't remember the shaker's name because he's too busy trying to count how many fingers are broken. He explained what should become "the Huron County tourism handshake." The greeter should have a square stance, make eye contact, smile, and shake firmly but not too hard. He said 'tourists have come, planning to spend money and held out a $100 bill. He told the crowd to imagine he was a tourist and they were about to shake his hand, with that bill in it. • He said to imagine they had "a little dollap of Huron County honey" on their hand and to shake his hand just firmly enough that when they pulled their hand away, the bill would have stuck to the honey and come with them. "That's the prof firmness to use," he said. He. also stresseL importance of overall language. The face is the most visible part of a person's body and he said, "When you meet a person, use the smile." Body language can attract a person more than a voice, he said, explaining that while your voice sounds positive, negative body language is the "voice" that is more likely to be heard. He then warned the tourism industry memhcrs that for every person that actually tells the business he or she is upset with them. there arc 26 other people who have walked away with the same impression. Those 27 people arc ely to tell 10 others they not like their experience that business.. • "Yourdissatsfied customer has -just turned into 270," he said. At the same time, for every happy customer, there are only four others who will likelyonly .tell five other people how much they liked the business. "It's important you let your customer know you want to hear if they are dissatisfied," he said. Harvest Trail gets exposure hi countries around .world The Huron Harvest Trail is getting major media exposure. Cass Bailey, an organizer of the trail, told a group of about 110 Huron Tourism Association members that word is getting out about the attraction. It was started last fall and is a self - guided tour of the county's farming operations, featuring stops where they can tour and learn more about the farms or purchase fresh produce and country -made products. A program through the Ministry of Tourism has given the trail major exposure through a press package sent to travel writers and tourism -related publications. "Within three hours, we had 25 calls," said Bailey. She spoke briefly at the' tourism asociation's annual brochure swap held March 31 at Seaforth and District Community Centres. "This is just the start," she said, adding that ,the first year for the trail was a success. "We've had a tremendous response from the people who have used the Harvest Trail so far," she said. Therehave been c -mails sent praising - the program and Bailey said, "We' must keep the momentum going." They are looking into government grants to support the project', arc preparing. to link with Bruce: and Lambkin County on similar tours and arc looking at expanding exposure even further. , "This year, our challenge is to tell the world about it," she said. While many of the visitors will come from the county's own back yard, Bailey said they have been in contact with Canadian consulates in other countries - like Holland and Germany to promote the trail and Ontario's West Coast, the slogan Huron Tourism uses' to promote thc county. While they have tried 'to find rural locations of interest to tourists from - restaurant stops to thc Seaforth area's 'Fortheringham Farms. she asked if anyone is "sitting on big secrets" to let her know so they can be included in the trail guides. Good sports found at Manor during Backward Day Residents of Maplewood • Manor started the month of March off with a "Backward Day." The event proved that we have a lot of good sports' amongst us. 0 Business was brisk during our Penny_Sale_days. _All of the donations and support for this adventure made it very successful., Church services for the month were led by Rev. Jane Kuepfer, Rev. Hiscox, Rev. Vandermey and Pastor eorriveau. The wearing, of the green was a fact for our St. Patrick's Day party with Frances Melady, Jim; Delaney, Lou Rowland and '----Bilwii-Melady. Their Irish' music was a hit with everyone. We also enjoyed ...Having----- a hoppy time The Muscular Dystrophy Association Hop-a-thon, held Saturday at the Seaforth Fireball by the Seaforth Co- operative Children's Centre from 10 a.m. to noon was a great success with $224 raised for muscular dystrophy research. Above; Mark Mason, of .Seaforth and his three-year-old daugh- ter Alannah participate in the Easter activities offered pch as coloring, stickers and bunny ear crafts while at left, volunteer Dan Upshall, of Egmondville, barbecues some hot- dogs. HUNDERTMARK PHOTOS Maplewood Manor numbers played by Mrs. McQuaid and her daughter Carol Ann. Irish music was also enjoyed as Jim McCallum sang and played many favourites. Everyone was able to choose their spring attire when Geri, Fashions visited. A fashion show was held in the afternoon where Grace Broadfoot. Pearl Campbell. .Edith Coleman, Viola Lawson and Tracy Nash did a great job- modelling the Spring clothing. Residents have been practicing for the Senior Games crokinolc which will be held May 3at 10:30 a.m. at Maplewood Manor. Residents enjoyed the music with Marian Rose who visited Maplewood to entertain residents with a sing -along__ Elgin Nott treated . residents to a musical video which featured his ' .son Glen who plays thc guitar in a hapd with Calvin Vollrath a professional fiddle player. We also enjoyed a vides of the ' Huron Strings Jamboree at the Orange Hall. The month ended. with a drive in the country and a ' trip -to the ice-cream. stand. 'It must be Spring. 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