DUBOIS – What does Clearfield County have that people cannot get anywhere else?
This was the question posed by Roger Brooks, a branding expert with Destination Development Inc.
Brooks has been looking at the county objectively and presented some of his ideas to a group Friday in DuBois.
“First impressions are lasting impressions,” he said, speaking of the need to put the county’s best foot forward — so to speak — when welcoming visitors to the area.
Many of Brooks’ suggestions were of ways to help people navigate the county as well as how to keep them here.
“Curb appeal can account for 70 percent of visitor sales at restaurants, wineries, lodging, retail shops and golf courses.”
He spoke of a need for “blade” signs to be placed outside of downtown businesses. These signs, hung perpendicular to the street, would allow for both pedestrians and motorists to see the shops and other attractions in towns. But, he said, the signs should not only state the name of the business. The service offered by the business should be a big portion of the sign.
He talked about a town in Oregon that enlisted the help of the local garden club to beautify the downtown area. Brooks said they were lovingly called the Gestapo Grandmas, and they planted and tended displays for business owners.
Another suggestion was to place way-finding signs in the downtowns to alert people on how to get from place to place.
Public restrooms are something he saw the county as lacking. Brooks suggested that the restrooms be placed in areas where people can shop and eat.
“Once you have them out of their car, they’re four times more likely to spend money.”
Brooks noted that the county should install visitor kiosks in the various towns that showcase what it has to offer not just in the town the visitor is in now but one only a few miles away. This would accomplish another of his goals for the county: Make visitor information centers work 24/7.
He also offered suggestions that could benefit the county’s many museums.
Brooks said people like to hear stories instead of looking at a bunch of artifacts. Colorful language and a knack for writing with flair have assisted in some respects. Other places he has seen offered changing displays where those who witnessed history told their own tstory.
As for the question posed by Brooks, he said Bilger’s Rocks near Grampian was Clearfield County’s gem.
He said this area was “very unique.”
Brooks said a visitor from Harrisburg, Pittsburgh or even Philadelphia probably would not drive to Clearfield County just to visit a winery or to fish because those things can be found near their home. What they will travel for, he said, is a different type of attraction.
“I could’ve spent several hours there,” he said but was admittedly sad about the trash and graffitti he noticed.
Other things such as a great restaurant or unique shop could help to keep people in town longer.
“That is the power of finding those little niches in Clearfield County and promoting them.”
Brooks’ work will be under discussion by the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority in the coming months.