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Unique events behind tourism success |
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Thursday, 12 March 2009 |
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 By MICHELLE ZLOMKE
Chief Managing Editor
THEDFORD -- The organizers of the Polar Bear Tank Race capitalized last week on a trend in successful tourism.
They developed a unique event to bring people to the communities of Mullen and Thedford.
Christian Hornbaker, director of the Nebraska Department of Tourism said new and different events help ensure a successful event and keep people coming back to Nebraska’s communities.
“We encourage people to be as unique as possible,” Hornbaker said.
“You’ve got to think outside the box,” organizer Mitch Glidden said. “You’ve got to think of something nobody else does.”
Hornbaker was on hand Saturday as 17 tanking teams crossed the finish line at the second annual race on the Middle Loup River.
Glidden, of Mullen, said he and Thedford’s Tom Witt wanted to develop a unique event to bring people to the Sand Hills and raise money for the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway.
“Each community that wants tourism has to look at what’s around them,” Glidden said. “I thought there was something here that we could do to bring people here in the winter time.”
The tank race brought 17 teams to Thedford and Mullen this year for a chili cookoff, Saturday morning’s race and a Saturday evening banquet.
Glidden said the teams came from all over Nebraska and there were participants from Colorado, Iowa and Texas.
All but three of last year’s teams returned for the event, he said.
“And we talked to several teams who want to bring more people next year,” Glidden said.
In addition to raising nearly $6,000 for the Byway, Glidden said the event also brought revenue to the area.
There were 20 motel rooms rented in Thedford and 12 rented in Mullen for the event.
While most meals were provided for participants, Glidden said, people still spent money in the communities.
There were 77 people registered to race.
“They’re still going to pick up gas and snacks here,” he said. “And it gets people out on our Byway and exposes them to the Byway, and that’s important.”
The event also allowed regional communities to work together. Mullen and Thedford both play host to the event.
Additionally, Arnold’s Sandhills Open Road Challenge sponsored two teams in the race.
One of the teams captured first place, then donated their winnings from the Tank Race calcutta back to the Byway.
“It’s one of those things that brigns people together,” Glidden said. “You’ve got to work together and that’s what something like this does. We’re not competing against each other for tourism. We’re competing against Disney World.”
Hornbaker said one objective of his agency is educating communities about tourism, and its role in economic development.
“We’re there to educate as much as possible and open up people’s minds to the opportunities,” Hornbaker said.
“A lot of people don’t understand tourism because it’s not instantaneous jobs. But it’s that long-term impact tourism provides for communities.” |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 March 2009 )
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Huskers.com
